Many students on campus find things to do outside of school to get away from the busyness of papers and tests. One great outlet available for students is Outdoor Recreation. With Outdoor Recreation, students can go hiking, climbing and skiing among other options.
Already this year students have had plenty of chances to go on trips with Outdoor Recreation. But even though many have passed, there are a number of events still to come on their schedule.
“So far this semester we have had six events, including hikes and an open climbing gym,” said Clayton Chapuis, director of Outdoor Recreation. “We have on the schedule seven more events including a Fall Break trip to the Buffalo National River, a full moon hike and more open climbing gyms. During Winter break Outdoor Rec is putting on its second annual ski trip to Winter Park.”
The process the Outdoor Recreation office goes through to plan which trips to take is meticulous. Students and faculty are both involved in the decisions on which trips would be best.
“Outdoor Rec is a collaborative effort,” Chapuis said. “I think up and plan out some events, Dr. Mike Reynolds plans other events and students who participate regularly on Outdoor Rec trips will throw in ideas and help plan. The feedback I get from students before and after events drives me to offer similar events in the future or to stop doing events of that nature.”
By going on trips Outdoor Recreation offers, there are friendships made between students who normally would not have a chance to see each other in classes. Outdoor Recreation also helps students gain experience in creation.
“I’m not much of a rock-climbing guy, so I tend to go for more of the hiking stuff,” said Trevor Huxham, a senior history and Spanish major. “Although I never did much camping growing up, Outdoor Rec has given me some great and inexpensive opportunities to do so while I’ve been a student here.”
Students are able to request trips or schedule events with Outdoor Recreation. Derek Campbell, a sophomore Christian studies major, is on work study with the Outdoor Recreation office and encourages students to get involved.
“The way I help Outdoor Rec plan events is by investing time looking into what the students of Ouachita are interested in,” Campbell said. “Personally, I could take a group out biking every day, but it’s not just about my interests, but the interests of the students. We are open to ideas and are willing to do anything if students show interest.”
Traditionally, students could go on trips and take full moon hikes or go rock climbing, but this year, Outdoor Recreation came up with a new way for students to be active on campus.
“Open climbing gyms are new for us,” Chapuis said. “For this we have a time to hang out and climb at the rock wall in the back of SPEC on Friday or Saturday nights. Right now it is planned for the third weekend of every month.”
The Outdoor Recreation office is hoping to open a new rental center in October for students to rent outdoor equipment.
“We are currently working to open the Outdoor Equipment Rental Center,” Chapuis said. “This is really exciting for me and I hope students will get behind it. Outdoor Rec will be able to rent out tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, canoes, kayaks and more as well as have a place to work on their bikes.”
Campbell encourages students to attend trips sponsored by Outdoor Recreation. He said he has made friendships with the people who attend these trips.
“The events and trips are always wonderful and never dull,” Campbell said. “My favorite thing about being involved in Outdoor Rec is the people. Everyone is experienced and ready to help others develop their outdoor skills. They not only have a passion for the outdoors, but also a passion for Christ.”
Picture courtesy of Trevor Huxham.
