2008 Woodie Awards
Outdoors club looks for members
Nicole Linklater
Issue date: 3/8/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
By Nicole Linklater
Staff Reporter
The UTC Outdoors Club members want to spread their love for backpacking and other outdoor activities by recruiting new members.
Tim Garner, a Peotown, Ill., sophomore, started the club this semester as "a way to get groups together to go on trips."
Last year he tried to find people to go hiking with him, but found it difficult to get a lot of people to go. He hopes as news about the club spreads he will find more people who share his interest.
The club currently has about 70 people listed on the facebook group UTC Outdoor Club.
According to Garner, the members of the club meet every other Wednesday. Almost every weekend they go backpacking. They also plan to start other activities such as rock climbing, bouldering, kayaking and spelunking.
Edward Henderson, a sophomore from Murfreesboro, Tenn., and club member, likes many aspects of backpacking. He likes to go trail running, play Frisbee, cook, and talk around the campfire when he goes on weekend trips.
"It's really nice to get away from the city," Henderson said. He also likes playing Frisbee and other games outside during the week in impromptu gatherings of the club members.
The UTC Outdoors Club is connected with the UTC Outdoor Program, led by Miles Ledford, outdoor program coordinator. Ledford said the program is for experiential learning of outdoor activities, while the club is more for social learning.
"I'll get you started and the club keeps you going," he said.
The club allows students to learn about backpacking and more through their trips, according to Ledford. The club and program have collaborated on a backpack clinic and a book including basic information about the trails around Chattanooga within a 50-mile radius.
"When you're not in your dorm room or class, you should be doing something," Ledford said. He encourages students of all experience levels to try doing something new by learning about outdoor activities.
Students interested in outdoor activities can rent equipment for free, with a refundable deposit of $25, to participate in backpacking weekends.
The university has name brand equipment such as canoes, backpacks, sleeping bags, mountain bikes and tents.
Garner said anyone can join the club.
"We like to get as many different types of people as we can."
Staff Reporter
The UTC Outdoors Club members want to spread their love for backpacking and other outdoor activities by recruiting new members.
Tim Garner, a Peotown, Ill., sophomore, started the club this semester as "a way to get groups together to go on trips."
Last year he tried to find people to go hiking with him, but found it difficult to get a lot of people to go. He hopes as news about the club spreads he will find more people who share his interest.
The club currently has about 70 people listed on the facebook group UTC Outdoor Club.
According to Garner, the members of the club meet every other Wednesday. Almost every weekend they go backpacking. They also plan to start other activities such as rock climbing, bouldering, kayaking and spelunking.
Edward Henderson, a sophomore from Murfreesboro, Tenn., and club member, likes many aspects of backpacking. He likes to go trail running, play Frisbee, cook, and talk around the campfire when he goes on weekend trips.
"It's really nice to get away from the city," Henderson said. He also likes playing Frisbee and other games outside during the week in impromptu gatherings of the club members.
The UTC Outdoors Club is connected with the UTC Outdoor Program, led by Miles Ledford, outdoor program coordinator. Ledford said the program is for experiential learning of outdoor activities, while the club is more for social learning.
"I'll get you started and the club keeps you going," he said.
The club allows students to learn about backpacking and more through their trips, according to Ledford. The club and program have collaborated on a backpack clinic and a book including basic information about the trails around Chattanooga within a 50-mile radius.
"When you're not in your dorm room or class, you should be doing something," Ledford said. He encourages students of all experience levels to try doing something new by learning about outdoor activities.
Students interested in outdoor activities can rent equipment for free, with a refundable deposit of $25, to participate in backpacking weekends.
The university has name brand equipment such as canoes, backpacks, sleeping bags, mountain bikes and tents.
Garner said anyone can join the club.
"We like to get as many different types of people as we can."
