Things To Do In Cumberland

In the 900,000-acre Monongahela National Forest, amid the bald eagles, deer, herons, and small-mouth bass, lies Blackwater Outdoor Adventures, a family-owned business dedicated to equipping treks into the outdoors that surround it. From their river outpost and general store, staffers dispatch water vessels to traverse the clear waters of the Cheat River, a scenic passageway carved into the rolling hills with plenty of areas for swimming and fishing. Blackwater also operates a 7-acre campsite on the banks of the river, where groups can lessen the edge of the outdoors with hot showers and space to store boats, gear, and inflatable six-bedroom homes.

Although paragliders are powered by the wind and Mother Nature's sneezes, East Coast PPG takes a modern approach to sending riders flying through the sky. To achieve this effect, each paraglider is attached to a Flat-Top paramotor, which sends solo and tandem riders soaring above picturesque shorelines and lush forests. The high-powered rides—which are built from the same gear the Red Bull team uses—also provide smooth landings and takeoffs while allowing riders to effortlessly navigate the skies like a majestic, gliding ostrich. When not focusing on creating memorable flying experiences for their clients, the East Coast PPG crew stays busy providing riders with hands-on training lessons, which are strongly rooted in safety.

This dedication to safety can also be seen in East Coast PPG's decision to retail their in-store selection of equipment, which ranges from reserve parachutes and paragliders to trikes and paramotors. This allows the company's expert team to match clients with the appropriate equipment—from such brands as Flat-Top, Sky Spare, and U-Turn—as well as ensure clients are thoroughly educated on proper usage and safety tips.

The state- and NRA-certified instructors at MMTA Firearms Training Academy put safety above all else. In accommodating students, they facilitate both mobile and onsite training in classes and private lessons. These gatherings take place at locales such as nearby ranges and hotel conference rooms, where the instructors lead courses such as the NRA FIRST Steps Pistol Orientation along with lessons in specialized topics such as rifle shooting, personal protection, and training to become a range safety officer.

Though they begin their adventure at Skydive Deep Creek’s home base, visitors won’t really remember the facility. That’s because most of their time will be spent hovering above the airport at 13,500 feet. Beginners take to the sky safely attached to an experienced diver during tandem jumps, and serious enthusiasts can fly through the air while training for skydiving certification.

Instructor Neil Porter orchestrates all the site’s jumps, using know-how earned during his time at Airborne school in the army and while obtaining his skydiving instructor certification. At Skydive Deep Creek, Neil guides beginners through the process of learning to skydive, from tandem diving to individual jumps.

For clients who just want a taste of the adrenaline-pounding sport, Neil performs tandem jumps, during which a guest is attached to him with a secure harness. While they jump together, Neil controls the parachute, which allows guests to relax and enjoy the thrill ride. The company’s optional videography and photography services capture every whoop, flip, and freefall. Visitors who want to learn to pull the strings themselves can take classes in the four levels of skydiving certification, in which they learn all the skills necessary to jump on their own or finally be in charge on parachute day in gym class.

Founded in 2010, the Winchester Storm strives to give fans a family-friendly activity and to give ambitious basketball players an opportunity to continue playing at a high level. The Storm square off against fellow squads in the American Professional Basketball League, a conglomerate of minor league teams committed to creating careers that support their communities. The Storm advocate for community groups, including the Boys & Girls Club, the NAACP Youth Chapter, and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, by hosting benefit events, raising awareness during games, and arranging readings of The Tempest by their canine mascot.

Born as the Greentree Racquet Club, Greentree SportsPlex underwent extensive renovation to emerge as an 80,000-square-foot, multi-sport facility. Free weights, kettlebells, and Legend Fitness weight machines line the bright red walls. Meanwhile, a batting cage comes in handy during onsite lessons that cover the fundamentals of playing baseball and softball, as well as surviving the uprising of pitching machines. During boot camps, instructors lead their groups through obstacle courses, core work, and whole-body exercises on the indoor turf. They also motivate clients during personal-training sessions and group fitness classes, including Zumba dance aerobics and spinning sessions set to energy-packed music.