Osprey Packs, Inc., an independent pack company located in the high desert and mountains of Southwestern Colorado, introduced a new collection of youth backpacks this spring, the Sprint Series, and they are now available in retail stores in North America and worldwide.

The Sprint Series brings Osprey’s legacy of deluxe custom fit to kid backpacks, and was designed with the understanding that a child’s body dimensions, proportions, and biomechanical properties are markedly different than those of an adult. These packs provide the best carry of any youth packs on the market by combining ergonomically correct fit, technical features tailor-made for youth, and Osprey’s signature design, quality, customization and durability.

“We’ve already seen great demand for these packs from our customers. These are high quality packs with sharp pricing. They have a large range of adjustment, so they essentially grow with the child, providing years of value,” said Gareth Martins, director of Marketing for Osprey. “The Sprint Series brings custom fit and comfort to young hikers – an essential for making the outdoor experience enjoyable. We hope these packs will help parents share their love and reverence for the outdoors with their children.”

Osprey understands the importance of distinguishing the dimensional, proportional and biomechanical difference between children and adults, and engaged Spine Colorado as an independent contractor to design and test the Sprint Series packs. Based in Durango, Colo., Spine Colorado currently acts as a regional center of excellence for back and neck problems, and receives the most complex cases of back and neck pain from across the state of Colorado.

The Sprint Series is comprised of three pack sizes best suited for children between the ages of eight and 16. Each pack offers five inches of torso adjustability. Some key features of the Ace 48 (2900 cubic inches), the Jib 35 (2100 cubic inches) and the Imp 23 (1400 cubic inches) include: an aluminum frame with rigid foam framesheet, Osprey’s AirScape ventilated foam backpanel, perforated EVA harness with mesh outer, size adjustable foam hipbelt with spacer mesh outer, a built-in rain cover and hydration compatibility.

The Ace 48, Jib 35 and Imp 23 are available in the colors Blue Yonder and Cherry Shake and retail for $149, $129 and $99 respectively.

Big City Mountaineers, the nation’s leading volunteer organization devoted to mentoring urban teens during wilderness trips, launches the 2008 Change a Life Campaign designed to motivate fundraising among volunteers.

Volunteers for the summer BCM programs pay a $100 fee to help cover administrative costs. Through the Change a Life Campaign, volunteers have an opportunity to earn back their fee as well as raising more funds for the BCM program. To add incentive for extra fundraising, volunteers and donors can earn and win prizes from sponsors.

Volunteer Incentives:
• Raise $50: Receive a BCM keychain
• Raise $100: Receive a BCM performance t-shirt and be entered to win 1 of 5 Timbuk2 Messenger bags
• Raise $200: Receive $100 volunteer fee back and your choice of either 1) an original signed print by outdoor adventurer Andy Skurka or 2) an autographed copy of “The Hippie Guide to Climbing the Corporate Ladder” by Skip Yowell.
• Raise $300: Receive a framed National Geographic map of your course area and a Camelbak water bottle
• Raise $400: Receive and a Primus stove and be entered to win a free alpine Summit for Someone climb spot for 2009
• Top Fundraiser wins a Mountain Hardwear Phantom bag and Mountain Hardwear UL Kiva. A $600 value
• Second through sixth place will receive a gift card for a free pair of KEEN footwear

Donor Incentives:
• Donors contributing $50 or more will be entered to win a Jansport luggage set. Value at $500+

Thanks to Keen, Primus, Jansport, Andy Skurka, National Geographic, Timbuktu, Camelbak and Howard Schwartz for making this campaign possible.

About Big City Mountaineers
Big City Mountaineers, Inc. is a 501c(3) tax exempt corporation based in Denver, Colo., with the mission of providing urban teenage youth in need of positive adult mentoring with challenging and safe wilderness experiences led by qualified adult volunteer guides. BCM is the largest non-profit in the country devoted to working exclusively with at-risk teens using the outdoors as a transformational element in their lives. Learn more at www.bigcitymountaineers.org.

From May 11 through May 17, Moosejaw will be giving away Two (2) Mountain Hardwear Lightwedge 2 Tents per day. There is no purchase neccessary. This Sweepstakes is open only to legal residents residing in the 50 United States and D.C. For your chance to win, simply visit Moosejaw.com and enter the contest up to 5 times per day.

Anniversary Sale is REI’s BIGGEST sale of the year and starts May 2nd. They’re offering huge discounts on top-brand outdoor gear and clothing. Here’s a sample of what you’ll find at the sale:

• REI Members SAVE 20% on one full-price item
  Use Coupon Code “ANNV20″ (Some Restrictions Apply)
• Save up to 30% storewide
• 20% off All Yakima Racks, Car-Top boxes and Accessories
• 15% off All Full-Price bikes
• 15% off All Full-Price Boats
• 20% off All BOB Strollers

Simply click the banner below to be taken to the REI.com sale. The sale ends May 11th so get your discounts while you can.

Masseys Outfitters is having their annual Jazz Fest Sale until May 6, 2008. Everything (except Patagonia and boats) is 20% Off! No coupon code is needed. The discounts will automatically appear in your cart. Massey’s has over 450 backpacks and bags in stock from brands like Osprey, Camelbak, Dakine and many more. Click the banner below to be taken to the sale.

From now until May 10th, if you buy an Osprey Pack from Moosejaw, they guarantee that you’ll love it. Go ahead and use and abuse the backpack. If its not your favorite pack ever, just send it back within 60 days of your purchase date for a full refund. No questions asked and Moosejaw will cover the shipping both ways.

Order a new Arcteryx WST Harness from MountainGear.com and get a Free Arcteryx Pali Rope Bag. That’s a $59 value on one of the nicest rope bags available! The Pali Rope Bag weighs only 20 ounces and features a speedy Roll Top closure system, which instantly creates a large opening that loads/unloads easily. Plus, the WST harness is probably the most comfortable and functional harness around. Act fast as this offer expires on April 30th. Simply click the banner below to be taken to MountainGear.com. Your free Rope Bag gift will be added to your order when processed.

From now through May 5th, 2008, get an extra 11% Off orders of $111 or more at Sierra Trading Post. You must click the banner below and the coupon code will automatically be set. You’ll see the discount in your cart once you put $111 worth of stuff in it.

Upgrade your backpack and hiking boots at Altrec and save 20% Off Kelty Packs and Vasque Boots, or 15% Off Dakine Backpacks and Merrell Hiking Shoes with these special coupon codes. Each brand has their own coupon code. Simply click on the links below to browse that brand at Altrec.com. Make sure to use the coupon codes when you checkout to receive your discount:

Kelty: For 20% Off Use Coupon Code KELPROMA08
(Expires 4/11/08)

Vasque: For 20% Off Use Coupon Code VAS0408DGETR
(Expires 4/11/08)

Dakine: For 15% Off Use Coupon Code DAK1504DFHK
(Expires 4/11/08)

Merrell: For 15% Off Use Coupon Code MERHSHDTYUO
(Expires 3/31/08)

From now until Sunday March 16, 2008, take 20% Off any one item at Moosejaw.com. Simply enter coupon code 200 when checking out and the discount is all yours. Please note that the following brands are excluded: North Face, Arcteryx, Burton, Red, Anon, LibTech, Gnu, Suunto, Bugaboo, Western Mountaineering, Arbor, Yakima, Bob, Von Zipper and Nixon. Simply click the link below to be taken directly to Moosejaw.com.