Story and Multimedia by Elise Elshire
Nestled in the back corner of the Erb Memorial Union sits one of the University of Oregon’s finest treasures – the UO Outdoor Program. With a history dating back to 1967, the OP exudes a cooperative attitude; students can facilitate their own outdoor trips, while planning and sharing the costs with other participants.
Considered a pioneer of collegiate adventure programs, the UO Outdoor Program became a model for other Universities in the 1970′s. From the 1980′s until the present, many college outdoor programs have been forced to conform to “trip packages” that are often more expensive. We are lucky to have a thriving outdoor program based on cooperative adventures that provide opportunities for leadership and growth in the midst of nature.
The OP plans local excursions to Mt. Hood, Willamette Pass, and Crater Lake, as well as more intense trips like backpacking in Hell’s Canyon. A handful of adventures are documented on the OP blog for students to get a glimpse of past experiences.
Signing up for t
rips is a simple process; there is a board with future trips and past trips, all the sheets labeled with descriptions, costs, and spaces for participants. The OP also uses their twitter page as a tool to spread the word about new trips.
Often times, specific gear is essential for outdoor experiences. Many college students cannot bring their snowboards to school, or do not own their own pair of snowshoes, but the OP gear rental has you covered. Students can rent gear at reasonable prices for OP trips, or even for private trips with friends.
For those students who want to plan and lead their own trips, the Outdoor Program offers trip initiator clinics every term, in addition to many other classes and programs. The OP Bike Program recently received full funding from the ASUO. As a result, more long-term bike loans can made and the program has room to expand. Education and leadership programs are key tools for outdoor exploration.
With its broad range of activities and opportunities, the Outdoor Program is really about giving students the access and opportunity to enjoy nature. Fred Sproat, the OP’s outreach coordinator, has been involved with the program since he came to the University. Fred believes the program is truly what students make of it, whether that involves only a few trips a year, or initiating a backpacking trip.
All students at the University of Oregon are OP members, so take advantage of this resource and open up your world. Participants who are not students at the U of O can join the co-op for fifteen dollars a year. In addition, the city of Eugene has its own active Outdoor Program for those who seek even more opportunities.
With springtime just within our grasp, many exciting trips are in the works that are well suited for sunshine. Fair costs, great experiences in the outdoors, and building new friendships are just some reasons to experience the OP, but you’ll have to make the discovery for yourself.
Watch a more in depth interview with Fred Sproat, the OP outreach coordinator, below:
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