Recently in Eastern Outdoors Club Category

On Saturday, September 17, 2011, the Eastern Outdoors Club went on their second trip of the semester: whitewater rafting. The club members piled into two vans and drove two hours to Crab Apple Whitewater in Charlemont, Massachusetts. After they were outfitted in wetsuits, water shoes, and life jackets, they got into boats and started a four hour trip down the Fife River through class I-III rapids. Although it was a cold day and the water was frigid, nothing could keep their spirits down as they worked together to paddle through the rapids. After lunch, a huge water fight broke out between rafts. Buckets of water were thrown through the air, soaking everyone in sight. When the rafting was over, everyone was soaked, exhausted, but happy.

The Eastern Outdoors Club is hosting several other fun trips throughout the semester including:  zip lining, hiking, ice skating, a social, and a fall harvest farm trip. If you are interested in joining the group on any trip, come to our meetings held other Thursday at 1pm in Science 104. You can also email us at eoc@my.easternct.edu. The Eastern Outdoors club is an officially recognized club through the Student Government Association at Eastern Connecticut State University. For more information on SGA, use the following link. For a complete listing of all SGA approved clubs and organizations, go to the clubs listing page. 

On Saturday, September 11, 2010, ten students from the Eastern Outdoors Club and their advisors traveled to the White Mountains of New Hampshire for a hike to the summit of Mt. Washington. After arriving at Joe Dodge Lodge in Pinkham Notch, the group went on a two hour practice hike on the Tuckerman Ravine trail, and then enjoyed an excellent dinner at the Lodge. Early Sunday morning the hardy group of Eastern hikers started up the Tuckerman Ravine trail on their way to the summit.

The hike, a class 2 climb, is a 4.2 mile journey with a final elevation of 6,288 feet. The Eastern students headed out on the trail at 7 a.m. and all reached the summit by 11:30 a.m. As they climbed the headwall beyond the Hermit Lake half-way point, the wet weather made the footing difficult as they scrambled over slick rocks. One student observed that this hike, especially the challenging climb up the headwall was the "most demanding physical thing that I've ever done." In spite of the exhilarating and challenging nature of the climb, all twelve adventurers made it to the summit. When they reached the summit house, they enjoyed hot chocolate and a warm place to rest their weary legs. The usual spectacular view from the top of Mt. Washington was limited due to the heavy fog and mist; however, an up-close moose sighting (as seen in the picture below) along the lower part of the trail more than made up for the lack of summit views.

The ten members of the Outdoors Club who participated in this trip were Mike Hislop, Hannah Ojard, Natalie Ortega, Nick Denegre, Dan Smith, Jennifer Smith, Katelyn Vaughan, Colleen Bonessi, Jisu Lim, and Lauren Kostak. The club's two advisors, Norma Vivar Orum and Fred Loxsom, also enjoyed the challenging walk up New England's highest peak.

Eastern Connecticut State University's Student Government Association announces the first recipients in the Club and Organization Medal Program. The program was created to recognize clubs that adhere to the Budget and Management Committee Guidelines and provide quality events for students on campus. When a club receives an award, they receive a decal of the medal on their banner at the Club and Activities Fair the following September. Along with the decal, the club also receives a cash award in their fundraising account.

The medals were awarded as follows:

Gold Medal Recipients

180 Christian Fellowship

Habitat for Humanity

Honors Club

Health and Physical Education/Sports and Leisure Management Club

Social Work Club

Sustinet/Yearbook

Silver Medal Recipients

Allies

Anime Club

Education Club

FEMALES

History Club

People Helping People

TV 22

West Indian Society

Bronze Medal Recipients

American Marketing Association

Competitive Cheerleading Squad

Eastern Outdoors Club

Economics Club

English Club

MALES

Organization of Latin American Students

Repertory Dance Troupe

Spectrum

Students for an Environmentally Sustainable Future

Turkish American Student Association

For information about the Club and Organization Medal Program, please go to the Budget and Management Committee web page. For information about all of the Student Government Association recognized clubs and organizations, go to the the Club Listing web page. 

On Saturday April 10th, the Eastern Outdoors Club hosted the 4th annual Earth Day Three Mile Trail Race at Mansfield Hollow. This year the event included a short children's race organized by Eastern's Child and Family Development Resource Center.
 
The three mile race, famous for its food afterwords, had 95 participants and raised over $1,500 for the Outdoors Club's No Student Left Inside Initiative. The initiative, which goal is to get students out of the residence halls and into the natural environment,  provides funding for Eastern Outdoors Club events.

The money was raised through race registration fees and through donations. The race provided a challenge to its runners to beat three target runners. Target runners included: Way Hedding; Eastern's Vice President of Academic Affairs, Rhona Free; and Eastern's Endowed Chair of Sustainable Energy Studies, Dr. Fred Loxsom. For every target runner that was beaten, a donation was made to the No Student Left Inside Initiative.
 
The Outdoors Club's next event is to Deerfield Valley Canopy Tours in Deerfield, MA on April 24th. The Outdoors Club meets on Wednesdays at Noon in Science 132.

from left to right: Michael Hislop, Hannah Ojard, Kevin Faugno, Keegan O'Brien, Natalie Ortega, Norma Vivar-Orum (advisor), Katelyn Vaughn, Miles McDonald, Leroy Sirois, Sarah Joy, Monica Rowe  

On Sunday, February 28, 2010, the Eastern Connecticut State University Outdoors Club conquered Okemo Mountain in Ludlow, Vermont. Starting their day at 6 a.m., 12 members of the Outing Club had seven hours of mountain time. The conditions were perfect for skiing and boarding; warm, party sunny and miles of trails. Students who went only paid $20.00 which got them a lift ticket and rental. The Outing Club's next trip is to Wachusett Mountain in Princeton, Massachusetts. To get involved with the Eastern Outing Club, come to meetings on Wednesday at Noon in the Science Building, room 132. The club strives to inform and educate the Eastern community with events and activities that promote outdoor adventure while observing an environmental ethic.

The Eastern Outdoors Club is sponsored by Student Government Association. For more information on this and all other clubs and organizations, go to the Student Activities web site.