By Nicole Belair, Staff Writer
The Outdoor Club, a long-standing organization at UMass Dartmouth, is currently looking for new members with a passion for adventure and the outdoors. While maintaining consistent involvement in hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, and philanthropy, the Outdoor Club continues to grow and develop every year.
The club originated as the “Adventure Club” many years ago, when UMass Dartmouth was known as Southeastern Massachusetts University. It began with the shared notion that the outdoors is a place to explore and enjoy. Since then, students have created what is now the Outdoor Club.
According to Cara Stacy, a trip leader for the Outdoor Club, the club “provides affordable activities for students to participate in throughout the year. Over the years, members have traveled all over New England exploring the great outdoors, hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, camping, white-water rafting, and more.” Stacy is an MBA student at the Charlton College of Business and has previously held various E-board positions including president, vice president, and treasurer.
Not only is the club involved in outdoor exploration, but Stacy also told The Torch that the club is heavily involved in service work within the community. “We pride ourselves on the philanthropy and community service work we do in and around the community,” she explained. “We are very lucky to have so many opportunities to provide support for local state parks, wildlife reservations, and other local organizations so close to UMass Dartmouth.”
Throughout the rest of this semester, the Outdoor Club will embark on events such as ziplining, zoo trips, ice skating, hiking, kayaking, bowling, whale watching, and backpacking. In addition to their upcoming events, the club also goes rock climbing every week at Carabiners in New Bedford. The outings to Carabiners happen every Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. for only five dollars, instead of the typical fourteen-dollar student price.
There are several ways to get involved with the Outdoor Club. They are always looking for new members, and it is easy to join. Students can simply fill out the membership form on the club’s MyOrgs page.
The club is also searching for new trip leaders, who must be able to stay active in the club and host at least two trips per semester. The trips can be to any location of their choosing, and the leaders get to attend their own trips for free, up to a certain cost.
Additionally, the club is always looking for new drivers, who will be fully reimbursed at the following Wednesday meeting.
Anyone interested in becoming a member or a trip leader is welcome and encouraged to attend the club’s weekly meetings, every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in LARTS 117. Meetings consist of recapping any past trips, introducing upcoming trips, and signups for upcoming events.
For more information, visit the club’s MyOrgs page.