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Activities 101 - Your complete guide to checking out something new.

Find out what it takes to become a rancher as you learn the basics about how to ride a horse. Follow the steps below to get started.

How-To Guide:

Sign up for a horseback riding class to learn the basic steps to beginner riding. First, you’ll learn how to lead your horse. Stand on the left hand side (the near side) of your horse and cue your horse to walk with a subtle forward motion of your right hand. Say, “walk” and start walking with the horse. Be sure not to tug or pull on your horse. When you’re ready to stop, say “whoa” and pull slightly on the lead rope.
Getting started. Start with learning how to mount the horse. Adjust the stirrup a few notches so that you can reach it with your toe. Hold both reins in your left hand, put your left toe in the stirrup and push off with your right foot to swing your right leg over the horse’s back. Once you’re on the horse, it’s important to find the proper position in the saddle. Find your balance in the middle of the saddle seat. Then, adjust your feet in the stirrups so that you are lightly resting on the widest part of your foot. Your heels should be angled, but not pressed down. Sit tall and relaxed with your shoulders back. Now, you’re ready to ride.
Stop and go. Learn how to walk and halt while riding. To cue for the walk, lightly squeeze the lower part of your legs behind the girth area of the horse. Your leg above the knee should remain motionless. Be sure that your lower leg stays quiet unless actively cueing the horse. To cue for stopping, squeeze the reins and pull backwards. The horse should stop when he feels the tug of the reins. Next, work on turning with your horse using direct reining. Hold one rein in each hand. To walk forward, give the reins slack, but keep a straight line from your elbow to the bit. To turn left, gently pull back with the rein in your left hand. The right rein will control how sharp the turn is. To make a right turn, do the same motions with your opposite hands.
Master the skill of riding. Work your way up to a sitting trot while horseback riding. This will take some time to learn as you train your muscles to relax. Aim to ride a few strides without bouncing; then, gradually work on this skill each day until you are comfortable trotting with your horse. Finish your lessons learning how to canter. Begin with your horse calmly trotting, then slide your outside leg behind the girth, keeping your inside leg on the girth, and apply pressure with both legs. Your horse should start to canter. While cantering, allow your hands to follow the motion of the horse’s neck so as not to distract his head. Once you’ve successfully completed your riding session, safely dismount the horse.
Safety tips. Match your skill level to the temperament and ability of the horse you ride. As you explore, stay on designated roads and trails open to horse use. Be aware of hikers, vehicles, and cyclists: pull to the side of the trail when you hear oncoming traffic so that your horse is not disturbed.

Learn how to sail in New York City's harbor. Follow the steps below to find out what you need to get certified.

How-To Guide:

Sign up for a Basic Sailing class with an American Sailing Association (ASA) certified school. To pass the ASA 101 exam, you must be able to sail a boat of about twenty feet in length in light to moderate winds without supervision.
Master the terminology. Learn the parts and functions of a sailboat as well as actions to take while sailing. Once you have those down, learn how to define the different types and points of sail.
Prepare to sail. Follow your instructor's lead on how to hoist the basic sails and set appropriate lines of the boat. Take on the role of a skipper and practice the proper commands while sailing away from and back to the dock. At the end of the voyage, learn how to lower, fold, and stow sails properly.
Dock the boat. Upon your return to the dock, your instructor will teach you how to dock and secure the sailboat. Ensure limited movement by setting out fenders properly.
Man overboard. Learn how to recover a crew member that falls overboard without warning. Your instructor will teach you how to steer a sailboat by the lee for 100 yards without gibing and how to steer while moving backward for 20 yards with sails backed.
Knot Expertise. Learn how to describe the function of the bowline, figure eight, and clean hitch knots in less than 20 seconds. Then, tie the square knot, clove hitch, and round turn knots in less than 20 seconds.
Challenge the ASA. After you've completed your sailing course, take the Basic Keelboat ASA sailing certification. But don't stop there; keep learning. Once you've passed your beginner certification level, enroll in an ASA 103 course for Basic Coastal Cruising.

Fine tune your photo and video shooting skills. Follow the steps below to learn how to capture the best of your outdoor adventures on film and video.

How-To Guide:

Be prepared for any and every photo-op. First and foremost, always have your camera out and ready when you are on an outdoor adventure. The best shots and videos are typically the most unexpected and can happen at a moment's notice. Keep your point in shoot or video recorder in the hip-belt pocket of your pack for easy access.
Capture the best photos by adhering to a few simple principles. Honor the “rule of thirds” — avoid placing the main object in the center of the photo. Learn how to use the direction of the light to your advantage—front light is the easiest to photograph. Wait for the perfect shot — patience is often the key to an ever-changing environment.
Utilize video to craft a compelling outdoor adventure story. The best and most entertaining outdoor videos are those that tell a strong story and tap into the emotional cues of its subjects. The first quarter of your video should introduce the characters and propose a central idea. The middle half should explore the main idea by following the characters on an extraordinary journey. The final quarter should draw a definitive conclusion and emotionally complete your idea.
Respond appropriately when videotaping in the elements. Shield your camera from mild rain with a garbage bag or shower cap. Stabilize your camera with a carabiner and cord to hang a sand or rock stuffed sack from your tripod. Protect your fingers from frostbite by wearing a pair of liners or thin gloves.
Protect your photo and video equipment from the elements. It doesn't matter how good your outdoor photo or video skills are if your equipment falters. As a general rule of thumb, scratches to the body of your equipment are okay, while scratches to the lens are cause for serious concern. Always protect your lenses with lens caps or disposable filters. Protect your camera via a padded nylon case and or vinyl waterproof camera bag.
Tap into online resources for expert advice. The editors at Backpacker share their know-how and real-world experience via an online resource designed to help you capture the best of your outdoor adventures. Visit Backpacker's Photo and Video Center for tips and advice on mastering outdoor video and photography.
Sign-up for Backpacker's Film School sponsored by KEEN Footwear. This four-week webinar will teach you everything you need to know about shooting, storytelling, editing and more. You can also opt to participate in a three-day field session in southern Utah with an industry pro.

Learn how to become self-sufficient in the ocean with an open water scuba diver training course. Follow the steps below to find out what you need to get certified.

How-To Guide:

Complete the classroom prerequisites. Buy the PADI book and video or take the PADI eLearning course online to gain a comprehensive understanding of basic scuba diving skills, techniques, terminology, and safety practices.
Enroll in a PADI Open Water Diver Course to become a certified diver.
Pass the confined water training. Jump in the pool with your instructor and practice the skills you learned from the classroom in the water during five pool dives. Learn how to breathe underwater for the first time. Plus, you'll get a chance to test out basic scuba gear.
Complete the open water training. Get a chance to prove what you learned during the pool dives in the ocean. Earn the final requirements to the open water scuba diver course while enjoying your first underwater diving experience in the ocean. Master the skills you've learned in four open water dives with your instructor.
Find the right scuba gear. You'll need a mask, fins, snorkel, Buoyancy Control Device, regulator, cylinder, exposure suit, Submersible Pressure Gauge, alternate air source, compass, dive computer, and whistle. A dive computer tracks your depth and time, letting you know how long you can stay at a certain depth. It is designed to track gas levels for each individual during a dive, between dives, and during a second dive, so don't plan to share this piece of equipment. If you plan to dive at night or if you want to see into dimly lit crevices, be sure to buy a dive light. Don't forget to purchase a dive flag to keep boaters away from where you are diving.
Become a PADI Open Water Certified Diver. After you've completed your PADI Open Water Diver course, your instructor will present you with your certification. Explore coral reefs and shipwrecks on your dives all over the world. Be sure to buy a waterproof camera to document your adventures!

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to fly? Now is your chance to find out. Follow these steps to get you on the right track to become your own pilot.

How-To Guide:

Learn how to paraglide from a certified instructor. Attend a paragliding school to earn your P1 certification in order to fly without an instructor. Depending on the program, it can take anywhere from 10 to 16 days to earn your novice certification. After you've completed the beginner level training, move on to earn more advanced certification at the P2, P3, and P4 levels.
Buy the proper equipment. Talk to your instructor and other paragliding experts to help you find the right equipment to suit your specific needs. The basic equipment you'll need to purchase is a helmet, canopy, harness, boots, and flight suit. Other instruments like a GPS and radio are necessary accessories for flying competitions. A variometer is helpful to gauge climb-rate in order to maximize height gain during your flight.
Take the weather into account. Check the local weather forecast to determine if the conditions are suitable for flying. Never fly when the winds are more than 25-30 mph. Remember that cliff level and mountain level winds can differ significantly.
Know the area. Research the terrain to familiarize yourself with the surrounding environment so that there are no surprises during your flight.
Know your limits. Don't push yourself to try something that you have not been properly trained to do. Learning to paraglide at the beginner level is deceptively easy, so err on the side of caution.
Maintain your equipment. Have your fabric, wing, and lines inspected by a professional yearly. Also, be sure to repack reserve parachutes annually. When the time comes, replace worn out equipment. Generally, after four years of fairly active use and exposure to UV light, a paraglider is in need of replacement.
Be alert. More important than physical fitness is mental awareness. You'll need to listen well to your instructors and think clearly when you're on your own.