As any outdoor enthusiast knows, it takes a lot of planning to make that big canoe trip down the river happen or that ski movie premiere come off without a hitch.

North Idaho College Resort/Recreation Management Instructor Paul Chivvis said the best way to learn how to plan is to learn by experience.

"How can you learn how to swim if you don't get wet?" Chivvis said.

It's been five years since NIC's event planning class began learning by doing, Chivvis said. Event planning is a core requirement for NIC's Resort/Recreation Management program, which is designed to give students the necessary skills and certificates needed to obtain employment in the outdoor recreation field. Students learn how to write press releases and set up events. He's had students hold a rail jam for snowboarders, a camp out to stamp out hunger and skateboard races among the events over the years that have attracted hundreds.

The events raise money for local charities, provide the community with fun things to do and give the students real-world experience in their field.

"Every semester I'm blown away by what they come up with," Chivvis said.

This year, Chivvis' event planning class has four events coming up. All of the donations gathered at the events benefit either NIC scholarship funds or local food banks:

• Ski/Snowboard showing. The public is invited to two ski/snowboard movies to be shown from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6 in North Idaho College's Edminster Student Union Building Lake Coeur d'Alene Room. 4FRNT Skis film "Dang!" and Burton Snowboard's film "13" will be shown with tickets for both films costing $5. There will also be prizes such as T-shirts, hats and stickers given away. Information: Sonny Telecky at (208) 816-3597 or sdtelecky@students.nic.edu

• Bowling Tournament. Everyone is invited to compete in the NIC Double's Bowling Tournament to benefit the local food bank at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10 at Sunset Bowling Center in Coeur d'Alene. The family-friendly tournament costs $10 per person with each team member strongly encouraged to donate two or more non-perishable food items to be donated to the Coeur d'Alene Community Action/Partnership food bank. Sign up at either the Sunset Bowling Center or by contacting Rich Henning at (208) 651-9673 or richforcuisine@yahoo.com.

• Amazing Turkey Race. See if you've got the right stuffing at the NIC Amazing Turkey Race at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17 in front of the Edminster Student Union Building on NIC's campus. Two-person teams will race both the clock and each other to finish five fall-themed challenges ranging anywhere from bobbing for apples to pumpkin carving. The top three teams will be awarded prizes. Bring either $3 or two canned food items for entry.

• NIC Super Plunger 2012. Join NIC students in welcoming the winter at NIC's Super Plunger 2012 into Lake Coeur d'Alene from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1 at NIC's Yap-Keehn-Um Beach. Entry is free, but three canned food items for donation are requested. There will be three plunges total with a special event leading up to a Golden Plunger Award ceremony.

Information: NIC Student Christopher Bergmann at (443) 299-9569 or whchris17@gmail.com

Tom Greene is a communications and marketing specialist with North Idaho College.