As the weather warms, Utah families begin planning spring and summer outdoor adventures, which may take place closer to home this year in the face of shrinking budgets.

The International Sportsmen's Expo, March 12-15 at the SouthTowne Expo Center in Sandy, is a one-stop shop for outdoor-minded Utahns, whether they fish, hunt, boat, camp or travel off-road. In addition to vendor exhibits, the expo offers how-to seminars and a number of competitions that offer entertainment in addition to prizes.

Among them is Splash Dogs, a water jumping competition with cash prizes that starts Thursday; distance fly-casting; elk-calling; and duck and goose calling. Finals for all competitions are on Saturday.

One of the most popular activities is the Division of Natural Resources youth outdoor sports fair, which is based on the south side of the expo center. Daily activities include a fishing pond stocked with trout; tying flies; archery; and tips on how to avoid encounters with black bears, conserving energy and boating safety.

"Our goal at the fair is to get children excited about the outdoors," said Mike Styler, DNR executive director. "We also want to teach them things that will make their next trip into the outdoors even more safe and enjoyable."

Exhibitors will show everything from hunting and camping products to ATVs, motorcycles and personal watercraft. And the show will be staffed by professionals who will share expertise on producing biofuels for the home, dutch-oven cooking, and panning for gold. New this year is a a 3-D pop-up archery challenge that can accommodate four shooters at once.

For more information on scheduled seminars, visit www.SaltLakeCity.SportsExpos.com.