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Outdoor Center Pitches Camp in Wren
by Carlee Macon
Sophomore Travis Sullens checks out the gear
Bikes
Camping gear
Sleeping Bags
The hangout
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If you glance to the left on the way to check your mail in Wren, you may be surprised to find that the game room is no more. In its place you will find rows of bikes and sleeping bags, as well as shelves filled with backpacks, sleeping pads, and medical kits. Even a bright green kayak is on display in what is now the new Outdoor Center.
You can still find a ping-pong and pool table there, but from a bike repair rack to washers and driers and even a shower, this place is now much more equipped for getting down and dirty.
The Outdoor Center, or as it's called by regulars, the OC, began as a club and has now outgrown its original facilities. Director of Outdoor Programming Grant Gosch says that the move from Heritage Cabin to the first floor of Wren will help the center be better able to offer many opportunities to students.
"We ran out of space-it was just too small. It was harder to run trips out of there [Heritage] than here [Wren]."
Some of the trips made possible by the Outdoor Center include: backpacking, hiking, climbing, mountain and/or road biking, kayaking, and fly-fishing.
During the week there is usually a class offered as well; these classes include kayak rolling, fly tying, bike repair, and intro to camping.
The OC offers service opportunities about every two weeks for students who need service hours or for those who just enjoy helping out with the environment in the community; the two primary service trips are Bailey Mountain clean-ups and river clean-ups.
"We're trying to develop Wren into a more student-focused building," Gosch said. And with average student involvement somewhere between 15 and 25 students at meetings and usually around eight on trips (because of limited transportation capacity), students are beginning to focus on the Outdoor Center.
"It gives me something that I'm actually interested in being involved in," said sophomore Travis Sullens. "I enjoy the activities as well as the kind of people who are involved. Being able to hang out and chill...it's just fun!"
The OC has also had a lot going on as far as growing by donations. Pat Keller, a professional kayaker and student at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, donated a kayak to the center earlier this semester. Another donor gave half the cost of a 15-passenger van, and the OC will be pitching in the rest.
Lifeworks has donated an Isuzu Trooper, and there have been a few bikes donated as well. Area businesses have also contributed. Brooks & Medlock, an engineering company in Asheville, gave a significant monetary gift.
The Outdoor Center was originally a club started by Jane Carter and David Greer. When the club became a bit too much with their other jobs, the school brought on Grant Gosch to develop the club part-time. "It went well last year, so they brought me on full-time this year," says Gosch.
With all the donations being given and interest being shown, Gosch hopes to accomplish much with the Outdoor Center this year. He mentioned trying to "get a more solid climbing program together," as well as developing a white water program and even a road cycling/mountain biking club. But above all, Gosch says that he would like to "work on strengthening the connections between Student Life and the academics of this school."
"I look forward to working with our students, as well as helping administration bring more environmentally conscious students to this school."
| Equipment may be reserved up to 14 days before your trip. Stop by the Outdoor Center or call 689-1286. College ID required. Open Tues. - Fri. 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Sat. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
Gear
Stove/cook kit
Sleeping pad
Sleeping bag
Back Pack
Thelma Fly
Mega Mid tent
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$/Day
$1.50
$0.75
$2.00
$2.00
$2.00
$2.50 |
$/Weekend
$3.00
$1.50
$4.00
$4.00
$4.00
$5.00 |
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Grant Gosch, Director: 689-1286, www.mhc.edu/outdoors e-mail: outdoor@mhc.edu |
Reader Comment:
John Templeton, campus ministry intern, 11/18/2005, 12:51 a.m.
Grant is a ridiculously good-looking ping-pong player, and he has a mean forehand. Always be ready for trouble if you serve to his forehand. He is also a ridiculously witty staff member, and generally just fun to be around. I nominate him for Outdoor Center staff member of the year.
Nice ferns. Who can we thank for the foliage?
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