“What we want to do is provide an outlet for the outdoor community.” Standing in front of EMU’s climbing wall, Adam Rhodes discusses how he and several others are looking to reimagine three of EMU’s outdoor-related clubs. Rhodes, a first-year student, recently became co-president of EMU Outdoor, a new club that was created when three of EMU’s existing clubs merged this year. Leaders from the Bike Club, the Climbing Club, and the Explore Club came together to create EMU Outdoor.
Simon Stuckey, who is also part of EMU Outdoor’s leadership, said, “We realized the biking club, explore club, and climbing club are sort of in the same fields.” With the clubs combined, students seeking outdoor experiences need only go to one place. Currently, EMU Outdoor is hosting climbing sessions on EMU’s climbing wall every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 to 10:00 p.m. The wall is open for everyone, not just students. At the beginning of the year, the club hosted a clinic to teach anyone interested how to belay. This allows students like Rhodes and Stuckey to run the climbing wall and help people who may be new to climbing. The club plans on having another one of these clinics later in the year for those who may be interested but didn’t make it to the first one.
Aside from the wall, Stuckey says they want to do “one event a month.” In September, it was a six-mile hike at Fridley Gap. Despite some poor weather, those who went seemed to enjoy their time. Junior Rose Short said it was an “enjoyable time being outside,” and that she appreciated the chance to “connect with people outside of [her] grade.” Short said she wants to continue attending events to “enjoy the beautiful nature around this area” and “build relationships with other people.” The next event EMU Outdoor is hosting is a bike ride to Kline’s Dairy Bar on Oct. 23. Free ice cream is included, and those without bikes are encouraged to reach out so one may be provided.
EMU Outdoor has greater aspirations as well. Rhodes and others want to make outdoor experiences as accessible for the EMU community as possible. This is why EMU outdoor is looking to start a “gear library.” Rhodes says that they would like to use some space in the bike co-op, and turn it into a place where “people who don’t have gear or can’t afford the gear can get it for free.” This library would allow students to have access to potentially expensive equipment that may otherwise deter them from outdoor events. Events that may include outdoor climbing trips or skiing trips at Massanuttun, according to Rhodes and Stuckey. If students are looking for a way to get out and enjoy the outside, EMU Outdoor might be a great place to look.
