Outdoor enthusiasts from a variety of programs came together at the first meeting of Algonquin’s new Outdoor Adventure Club Nov. 24.
Favouring hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing and many more outdoor activities, new members of the club had myriad experiences to share and suggestions to make when it came to the club’s direction.
“The sky’s the limit,” said Ania Bednarska, founder of the OAC and first-year recreation and leisure student. Working alongside her classmate, Jackie North, she saw a void in active outdoor activities at Algonquin and decided to start the group.
“Right now, we’re building awareness with the student body,” said Bednarska. “Our goal is to do three to four big activities per term with multiple weekly walks.”
Meeting in front of the Students’ Association office on Mondays at 2:15p.m., the OAC goes on a weekly hike in the Greenbelt area. Hikes are accompanied by Algonquin alumna, Ria Quik. As a graduate of the outdoor adventure naturalist program at the Pembroke campus, Quik provides wilderness animal and nature facts as they walk.
She highlights the importance of learning about the outdoors while also enjoying it.
“I like to get a distance done,” said Quik, “But I also like to see things.”
With a small budget from the SA, upcoming OAC activities include a rock-climbing excursion, snowman competition and a skating trip on the Rideau Canal. The club is also planning a larger-scale backpacking trip for the summer or fall of 2016.
“It’s really based on what people want,” said North, who emphasizes that the club is all about the students and their ideas.
Exciting activities are coming up in 2016 and the group will meet next in January to appeal to winter-entry students, with the plan being to meet once a month going forward to brainstorm outings and discuss the goals of the group.
“Everyone is welcome,” said Bednarska, who wants to be sure that even if students can’t commit to the club, anyone is encouraged to come out and participate.
For more information on meetings and events, check out the OAC on Facebook under Algonquin College – Outdoor Adventure Club or email algonquinoac@gmail.com.