Though urban campuses like the University of Minnesota may offer fewer opportunities for students to enjoy nature, the University’s Outdoors Club offers a diverse range of events for students to get outside.
Established in 2012, the club hosts all types of outdoor activities, including an upcoming Monster Mash Family 5k on Oct. 5, to raise money for University students to go on day trips to state parks and backpacking trips. These events, as well as the monthly club meetings, are led by the Outdoors Club’s officers.
Liz Kangas, an officer for the club, said along with leading events and meetings, officers also each have responsibilities like keeping track of backpacking gear, running the club’s social media, and more.
Kangas transferred from the University of Minnesota Duluth after her freshman year and was a part of the club’s chapter there. She decided to join the club on the Twin Cities campus last fall.
“I went to one meeting and that first meeting that I was at was when they were doing recruitment for officers, and so I kind of just thought, ‘What the heck?’” Kangas said. “I didn’t think I would get it, but I kind of made myself do it. I was like, I have to branch out.”
Since joining the club and becoming an officer, Kangas said she was surprised at how well she has gotten to know the other members so quickly after only being in the group for a short time.
“That was really exciting to me that all these friends who are officers, and people through the club that have similar interests,” Kangas said. “And just share that love of being outside and playing.”
Like Kangas, fellow club officer Abi Addink was excited to find people who shared her interest in the outdoors. She added the club has a big emphasis on making the outdoors accessible.
“I remember being really nervous about going to a campus that was more urban because I wasn’t sure if there were going to be outdoorsy people there,” Addink said. “I quickly realized that I was not by myself.”
Addink said many people with little experience in outdoor activities show up to the club’s events. So, while planning events and trips can sometimes be challenging because of different skill levels, overall it is rewarding.
As an officer, Addink said there can be some challenges, but it is hard not to enjoy being in nature.
Meg Rettler, another officer for the club, said she has bonded with everyone on the trips, especially at bonfires while camping.
“Whenever there’s a trip, it’s almost inevitable that there’s gonna be some sort of campfire,” Rettler said. “It’s really fun because everyone kind of opens up around the campfire. Maybe the start of the day was a little bit awkward, but then the second we have that fire it really breaks the barriers, which is super fun.”