With temperatures going down and leaves falling off trees fall in Arkansas is in full swing, which provides an excellent opportunity to experience the great outdoors.
The Ouachita Outdoor Recreation program is taking advantage that and has already been on several trips with more planned this fall. The outdoor recreation program is led by Dr. Mike Reynolds and Nathan Shelburne. Reynolds also mentioned student Robert Steed as a big help.
Steed said it was just natural to jump in and start helping Reynolds and Shelburne. “I’ve always been involved in the outdoors, so when I came to OBU it was just natural, I knew Arkansas had some great places,” Steed said.
Many people might think that only experienced outdoorsman take part in the outdoor recreation trips, but Reynolds says it is actually just the opposite.
“What we end up finding a lot is that it tends to be more of the beginner or someone that really just wants to get out of their comfort zone,” Reynolds said. He adds “It’s just to get people active in the outdoors.”
They both say that some people may be apprehensive at first, but normally warm to the idea of spending time in the outdoors and actually really enjoy themselves.
“They love it, after folks come out for the first time are always asking when the next trip is, it’s the folds who have never gone before that keep coming back,” Steed said. “Everyone always has a great time, they meet new people they normally would not meet, and a lot of people end up starting hobbies on there own.”
So far they have hiked at Pinnacle Mountain and Albert Pike, and last weekend went on a canoe trip to the upper Caddo River. They also plan to do more hiking and camping when it gets colder as well as some mountain biking.
The group also has equipment that can be rented out by students to use in their outdoor endeavors. Tona Wright handles the rental of the equipment.
“We are trying to get canoes, and offer a class in canoeing,” Reynolds said, adding that “we eventually want outdoor recreation equipment to be just like library books, you check it out and then check it back in.”
They have not released the date for their next trip, but keep yours eyes open, it will be coming, and as Reynolds said, “Jump right in and get out of your comfort zone.”
