On the Colorado Mesa University campus, sandwiched in-between Residence Life and Tolman Hall lies the Outdoor Program. Inside are countless pictures of students in wild locations enjoying the outdoors and each other’s company. 

Unfortunately, with the way that the world works, nothing is forever set in stone. Therefore, listing every event on the board before any of them are close could end up with misleading information. However, don’t take it to mean that the OP is unreliable, because that is simply untrue, as they consistently have planned trips that do make it through to execution.

With this considered, the best way to get the most accurate information about future trips is to go to the OP office personally and check out their listings. Some of the trips they have set in stone is the very popular Via Ferrata in Telluride.

“One of our most popular trips during the Fall semester is the Via Ferrata trips,” Outdoor Program Director, Ryan Dutch said. “They are great one day introductions into what we do here. We have multiple trips there set up with spots still available and they fill up fast once people know about them.”

These quick day trips are fun and easy to do, they also cost significantly less when done through the OP, so it won’t break any budgets to indulge in some outdoor activity. On the slightly more pricey side of the spectrum is their overnight and multiple day trips.

One such extended trip is their Canyoneering in Zion that takes place during the Fall Break in October. These trips, while more expensive, offer more outdoor activities and a unique experience that can be hard to come by without the help of a program like the OP. These trips are quick to fill up and even have lines out the door the day that sign up opens.

The OP is working towards saving people even more money to encourage participation campus-wide with an increase in free trips and special activities.

“We are focusing on doing more stuff during the week and having free activities,” Dutch said. “We are also trying to do a big event each month. Because our rental program is getting so big, we have been able to supplement with the public rentals we are able to create more free trips. In a perfect world, it would all be free since we want to get people outside.”

With a movement towards the free events, joining the OP for an outing is easier than ever. They are putting effort into making it available for students to join so the rest falls upon the students’ shoulders. Making trips to the OP office to see if there is a trip that sparks one’s interest and talking to the staff to learn more about the trip will only broaden one’s horizons and opportunities.

For those with a busy schedule that interferes with the OP’s hours of operation are more than welcome to follow them on Instagram or Facebook which can be found posted all over their office and the Colorado Mesa University website. They post updates on upcoming trips that might just be the one to join.

“In the end, it is hard to make that first step,” Dutch said. “Taking that first step into the Outdoor Program is hard, but once you meet all the students that have a wide range of personalities you will find that we are all friendly. It is students teaching students, so it shouldn’t be intimidating like going to a class.”

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The OP is a friendly environment and are here to bring students outside and enjoy their college career. With numerous trips over the semester trips to Via Ferrata, canyoneering in Zion, kayak roll sessions, hiking 14ers and stargazing only scratches the surface of what the OP has to offer.

Not only do they have huge availabilities, but all activities are open regardless of experience or skill. Therefore, anyone is welcome to join a trip. Stopping by and having a conversation with someone at the OP is the best way to become educated and involved in their future events.