Pacific University Outdoor Pursuits is planning several upcoming trips for students such as a Men of Color Beach Day on Sept. 26, Surf Series on Sept. 18, Oct. 3, and Oct. 17, Kayaking Indoor Pool Session on Sept. 24 and Oct. 15, Indoor Rock Climbing on Oct. 20, as well as an Overnight Rafting Trip and Overnight Backpacking Trip over fall break, Oct. 7-10.
Staff Development Coordinator and Outdoor Pursuits Instructor Alex Hays encourages students of all experience levels to come out and sign up for different activities.
“[Our trips] are really designed to fit any experience level, so you can come in as a total beginner and have trips that are open and welcoming for you,” Hays said, “We really have the whole spectrum of things to do.”
Outdoor Pursuits also led a successful season of voyages for incoming freshmen before the school year. Outdoor Pursuits Instructor Kole Meinhart led a backpacking trip in Pinchot, Wash, and explained how the wildfires impacted voyage plans.
“We had to switch around a lot of different trips because they were either too close [to the fires] or the smoke was gonna be hazardous at that level,” Meinhart said.
Despite some plans being disrupted, students still had a great time outdoors. Outdoor Pursuits Instructor Shannon Hoyer was a participant on the multi-element voyage.
“I really loved the experience,” Hoyer said.”I was really grateful for the opportunity to go and meet new people and try new things.”
Students can sign up for various trips on the Pacific University website calendar to reserve their spots. Shorter trips range from around $15 to $20 and longer ones can be up to a few hundred dollars. However, there is a program called Open Paths through which students can go on their first trip for free. Hays and Hoyer hope to empower students who are at all curious about what Outdoor Pursuits has to offer to come in and explore some of the trips offered. — Allison Wills
Students can get more updates on Outdoor Pursuits programs at OP’s Instagram @pacificuoutdoors
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