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Outdoor Adventure River Specialists (O.A.R.S.)

O.A.R.S. Founder, George Wendt Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award

Saturday, October 21, 2006, the Adventure Travel Trade Association also known as (ATTA) honored Angels Camp resident, George Wendt, founder of O.A.R.S. (Outdoor Adventure River Specialist), with their prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

 

George is one of only four recipients ever to be awarded the Lifetime Achievement award by ATTA. The award honors George's dedication to 37 years of pioneering excellence in the realms of whitewater rafting, ecotourism, and adventure travel. "Although the award caught me completely off guard, I am honored to have been selected by such a high caliber group of professionals," George Wendt modestly remarks.

 

George realized his dream of rafting for life after being one of the first 1000 to raft the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. This single event ignited George's passion for rafting, and transformed the former middle school science teacher into the iconic adventure travel visionary the industry honors today.

 

George and the O.A.R.S. organization employs the lead-by-example approach in every aspect of the business from: enriching the lives of everyone involved to practicing diligent environmental responsibility.

 

Founded in 1969, O.A.R.S. was the first oar-powered, rafting outfitter permitted to run trips on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. George expanded O.A.R.S. tour offerings with the mindset of having something authentic and unique for everyone. Donna Karan, CEO of DKNY, along with a multitude of others have raved about their experiences on such tours as O.A.R.S.' signature Wine on the River trips, Yoga on the River and the joy of finding rustic luxury in remote wilderness locations.

 

George Wendt's organization has grown to become the hallmark among adventure travel enthusiasts with additional operations in Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, British Columbia and Fiji. Furthermore, George and O.A.R.S. staff members actively encourage environmental awareness and preservation. Through new and longstanding strategic alliances with Native Energy, Leave No Trace, Environmental Defense and a host of others, O.A.R.S. continues to lead the industry as a responsible travel provider.

 

In 2000, O.A.R.S. also became a founding member of the Adventure Collection, an association of the world's leading tour operators.  As a member of the Adventure Collection, O.A.R.S. fully supports and consciously attempts to exemplify in all its programs the essence of the Adventure Collection's Responsible Travel Statement:

 

The companies of the Adventure Collection are professionally committed to the cultural and environmental well-being of the places we visit and where we operate.  We follow expertly designed on-the-ground practices.  We seek to create inspirational experiences for guests and students, and we support a variety of institutions that further these ideals.

 

For more information on O.A.R.S. or any of the company's unique rafting, sea kayaking or multi-sport adventures, call 800-346-6277, e-mail info@oars.com, or visit www.oars.com.

Press Kit - Summer 2006

• The Arts in Calaveras – Where Spectacular Meets Sublime
• Ties That Bind – Calaveras County Events Revolve Around Family
• Gold Rush Country Towns Keep Their Riches 
• Jumping Frog Jubilee : World-Famous Ribbeters are Kings of Calaveras County
• Calaveras County at a Glance
• Rushing to Outdoor Adventure in Calaveras Gold Country
• In Frog-Centric Calaveras County, Ribbeters Aren't the Only Hoppin-ings 
• Calaveras County Blooms With Promise and Passion
• Value-Added Calaveras County Easy on the Budget

News Releases

• Calaveras County Canines Walk 'N' Wag For Charity August 17, 2006
• "Family Day" Fair Features Fun-Fun-Fun Under The Big Trees August 16, 2006
• Follow the Scent to Calaveras County's 4th Annual Garlic Harvest Festival July 7, 2006
• Calaveras County Celebrates an Old-Fashioned Fourth June 23, 2006
• Calaveras County Full of Flowers, Festivals and Famous Frogs February 1, 2006
• Cavort with Cupid in Calaveras County on Valentine's Day January 27, 2006
• Endless New Year's Eve Revelry December 19, 2005

49 Off The Wall Ideas

So what's hopping in Calaveras County? Lots! We sent out 49 fun facts, strang tails, unusual tidbits, hot tips, inside info, head scratching asides and insights into the activities along Highway 49 that make Calaveras County a destination that hops to its own beat. Just take one down and pass it around.

• Family Fun Day Under the Big Trees 8-16-06
• Weddings from the Heart: Murphys-Inc. Provides Passion and Local Flavor May 31, 2006
• It's Tee Time in Calaveras County May 24, 2006 
• Calaveras Calaveras County's Wineries Go to Town May 23, 2006
• Mountain Ranch Day and Parade Offers Double the Fun May 18, 2006
• Lights! Camera! Action! May 17, 2006
• Small is Beautiful at Galaxy Farm May 16, 2006
• Calaveras County: It's a Real Shopping Trip May 12,2006
• "B & B" Takes on NEW MEANING at GreenStone Ranch & Inn May 15, 2006
• Chatom Vineyards' "She" Wines Benefit Women's Health Research May 11, 2006
• Murphys Designated as One of "Ten Coolest Small Towns" in U.S. May 10, 2006
• Ironstone Vineyard's Heritage Museum Captures the Gold May 9, 2006
• Phantom of the Opera Star Lights up the Stage at Greenhorn Creek May 5, 2006
• Follow Your Nose to Calaveras County's 4th Annual Garlic Harvest Festival May 4, 2006
• Calaveras County Words: Meanings, Roots and Pronounciations May 3, 2006 
• When it Comes to San Andreas, It's Not Their Fault May 2, 2006
• Jenny Lind May 1, 2006
• Sunshine Sighting! Rush to the Outdoors in Calaveras County April 28, 2006
• Jumping Frog Jubilee: World-Famous Ribbeters King of Calaveras County April 27, 2006
• Calaveras County is Antique Heaven April 26, 2006
• Girlfriend's Getaway in Murphys, Where The Gals Can Relax April 25, 2006
• Plaques Promote History and Humor April 24, 2006
• Artists are Abundant and Poets Prolific April 5, 2006
• Black Bart's Bad-Boy Days of Crime and Rhyme Live on at the Calaveras County Museum April 4, 2006
• Take the High Road to Adventure April 3, 2006
• Olives Offer a Taste of Tuscany March 31, 2006
• Find Chic for Cheap in Calaveras County March 30, 2006
• Straw Bale Homes have their Heyday in Calaveras County March 29, 2006
• Logging and Lumberjacks Leave a Rich History March 28, 2006 
• The Real Estate Rush is on in Calaveras Gold Country March 27, 2006
• Let Us Entertain You! March 24, 2006
• Runaway Restaurant is No Longer Grounds for Divorce March 23, 2006
• Hollywood Walk of Fame Comes to Angels Camp March 22, 2006
• Lifestyles of the Ribbet and Famous in Calaveras County March 21, 2006
• There's Wine in Them Thar Hills! March 20, 2006
• Historic Business Booms in San Andreas March 17, 2006
• New Melones Lake Offers Catered Floatable Feasts March 16, 2006
• Sneak-Peek at Fair Will Be Available for First Time this Year March 15, 2006
• Lions and Tigers and Elephants – Oh, My! March 14, 2006
• Worms Are Good for Business in Calaveras County March 13, 2006
• Calaveras Man Turns Childhood Love for Spelunking into a Thriving Underground Biz March 10, 2006
• Doodoo Wah Croons About Calaveras County March 9, 2006
• Renowned Chef Bob Anderson's Culinary Wizardry Comes to the Other Side of the Mountain March 8, 2006
• Leapin' Leprechauns! Kiss me, I'm Irish! March 7, 2006
• You Ought to be in Pictures! March 6, 2006
• Things That Go Bump in the Night March 3, 2006
• The "Frog's Ass Shot" Gets the Joint a Jumpin' March 2, 2006
• ROCK ON! – Rockhounds and Collectors Flock to Calaveras County March 1, 2006
• Woolies Hoof It in Calaveras County February 28, 2006
• Flower Power Unites Calaveras Communities and Delights Visitors February 27, 2006