Pacific Index

What’s going on in Outdoor Pursuits this fall

The Outdoor Pursuits program, or OP, is perhaps one of Pacific’s most robust extracurricular organizations, having been a part of Pacific dating back to the 1970s when it grew from that decades back-to-nature ethos and was known as the Outing Club. With a long-lasting history of getting students outside and excited about the outdoors, OP offers several opportunities for students to explore different forms of recreation each semester, regardless of previous experience or skill level. These opportunities include free on-campus events, affordable weekend trips like backpacking and sea kayaking, and discounted gear rentals.

Sadie Scheer, the Staff Development Coordinator at OP, discussed what events are coming up this fall for OP. This year’s annual fall break trip, she explains, was switched up from the usual backpacking trip to an overnight canoeing trip on the Willamette Water Trail. Students got to canoe with all their supplies and camp out along the river for a night. Each year, the fall break trip is something special to look out for. 

OP is also going to be putting on a sea kayaking trip on October. 11, a day hike on Oct. 12 (probably somewhere in the Tillamook State Forest Scheer says), and several indoor climbing trips on Oct. 15, Nov. 5, and Nov. 22. Additionally, once winter hits next semester, Scheer explains that OP will periodically offer vehicle shuttles up to Mt. Hood as well as cross country skiing and snowshoeing trips. These trips are affordable and, perhaps more importantly, open to anyone. 

Scheer explains that the nice thing about OP is that it’s very accessible; many students who come on trips come from backgrounds without extensive exposure to outdoor recreation, especially all the different options that Oregon has to offer. “People who have never had access to it are able to try it for the first time,” she says. 

If students are looking to get involved in an OP event, but want to participate in something with a little less of a time commitment, Scheer explains that OP has made more of an effort this year to put on on-campus events, all of which are free. This semester alone, OP is putting on three “Therapy Dog and Crafts” events, the next two being on Oct. 15 and Nov. 12 in the OP building, AKA the Milky Way. Additionally, OP is hosting “Coffee, Crafts, and Wellness” on Oct. 13 and Nov. 3, and OP’s annual Plant Propagation on Oct. 21 where students can visit and pick out a plant to take home. Scheer says that OP wants to be as involved with students as possible, not just the ones that come on the trips, so coming to an on-campus event is a good way for students to become acquainted with OP and learn more about what the program does in a low-stakes environment.

Finally, if students are interested in recreating in Oregon’s great outdoors, but prefer to plan their own trips, OP also offers an easy and affordable gear rental. In their massive cache of supplies they have items ranging from mountain bikes, skis, and stand-up paddleboards, to sleeping bags, tents, and other camping and backpacking supplies. No matter what kind of outdoor adventure you’re looking to have, OP has the means to make it happen.