Pioneer LogLewis & Clark College’s Student-Run Newspaper

College outdoors is available to anyone

September 17, 2010

by Alena Borgatti

 

If you think you lack the funds, experience, or equipment to climb a mountain, explore lava caves, or go white water rafting, think again.  The College Outdoors program at Lewis & Clark can equip, prepare and guide you through almost any adventure in the wilderness- at a fraction of the normal cost.  

 

Kallie Smith (’13), a CO coordinator, says “Its aim is simple- to get people outside and active, so they can explore the nature of Oregon.”

 

For those who cringe at the thought of a long, arduous hike, don’t panic just yet, Smith says, “There are a few trips meant for more advanced students. Most of the trips, however, you can come in with no experience at all, and the staff can help you have a good time and learn the basics. My favorite thing about CO is the wide breadth of opportunities and trips available.”  Though Smith’s favorite adventures are the kayak trips, CO offers everything from rock climbing and caving to skiing and white water rafting.

 

Before school began, a number of first year students experienced their very first CO trips—breakaway adventures.  Karina Schorr (’14) participated in the Colombia Gorge trip, which began just five days before orientation.  

 

“My favorite thing about the trip was meeting new people.  The staff was incredibly friendly, hilarious, and gave great advice.  I built lasting friendships on the trip that really helped me transition into college easier. It was the Steez. If nothing else, go on the trip for the gorp.”

 

For first-year students, these trips were not simply an outdoors adventure, but an opportunity to make friends.  

 

Smith, who went on the Deschutes Rafting trip as a freshman, says that she will “still meet up with friends I met on that trip.”

 

Another advantage to CO is its enormous equipment warehouse. Smith jokes that someone could essentially “walk in wearing their underwear, and we could get them all the gear for any trip, for however long that trip goes.” For those students who wish to venture out on their own trips, the CO program also offers competitively priced equipment rentals.

 

Above all else, CO aims to provide these trips at a cost below that of commercial programs. Though the cost may cause some students to reconsider, it is unlikely that one will ever find these opportunities at a lower cost.

 

 It doesn’t take experience, your own equipment, or even a lot of money to climb a mountain—just a good outdoors program.