For years, the Outdoor Program (OP) has provided equipment, trips and other resources to those who love the outdoors. Now, students and the community have a chance to give back to the program.
The OP will be holding a Masquerade Gala on May 12 at 6 p.m. in the Plaza. The dress code is formal attire.
Tickets are being sold at $45 for individuals and $400 for a table (10 seats). This will include entry to the event, dinner from on-site food trucks, beer from local breweries, a photo booth and live music.
“This whole event is to raise money for our scholarship, which is specifically for the employees at the OP to be able to get industry standard certifications, like their wilderness first responder or their swiftwater rescue [certificates],” OP trip leader and social media manager Julia Congdon said. “They can be quite pricey. Sometimes the wilderness first responder certification costs $500, if you’re really really lucky, and [can be] up to $800 or $900.”
All of the money earned will go directly into the Student Trip Leader scholarship endowment. This scholarship allows OP trip leaders to earn their outdoor industry standard certifications.
The certifications help students get more experience in leading trips, learn how to be safe recreators and provide further job opportunities for after they graduate.
“I think that because our program is such a big part of the community, not just on campus, but in town as a whole, it’s a whole cycle of giving back and supporting each other. Once those of us who work [at the OP] get those certifications and graduate, I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of us go into the industry in this area of Colorado,” Congdon said.
Along with the tickets, the OP will be holding a silent auction to raise money. Some of the items in the silent auction include a 16’ fully rigged oar frame raft, a 10’ 10 Hala Rado stand up paddle board package, tickets to the Palisade Bluegrass Festival, NRS Bucket of Straps and Downtown Grand Junction gift cards.
Tickets can be purchased by anyone on campus and from the community. Those who want to purchase a ticket day-of will pay $55 at the entrance, and those who cannot attend still have the option of donating. Tickets can be found by scanning the QR code to the right.
“It’s gonna be a super awesome event. We’ve been putting a ton of work into planning it this whole semester. Mackenzie Holbrook, Lizzie Pugh and Nick King have been putting so much time and effort into making this all happen. It’s to support us, the students that work there, which is really kind of them. I’m very excited to see how it all turns out,” Congdon said.
