Spring is here, and it’s finally warm enough to get back outside. Lucky for us, we live in a hotbed for outdoor activities.  From mountain biking to kayaking and everything in between, the Grand Valley has something for everyone. Whether you need gear, knowledge, or just a group of likeminded individuals, The Outdoor Program here on campus has you covered. 

For those who don’t know, The Outdoor Program is a student organization offering adventure trips, gear rentals and trainings on everything outdoors. Over spring break, they relocated from their cozy spot near Albers hall to a larger facility parallel to North Avenue. The new location is a much-needed upgrade for the program, and with all the added space comes extra inventory. The program has already made expansions in popularly requested areas such as hunting and fishing, along with 15 paddleboards, ice drills, larger kayaks and many others. With the upgrades, the whole community benefits. Students rent gear at half price, and now there’s more reasons than ever to get outside. 

The transition of seasons means a transition in excursions as well. Right now, The Outdoor Program is gearing up for more water, climbing and camping based activities. In the next few months, students will have plenty of opportunities to get involved. If rock climbing sounds interesting to you, you can learn how to climb outside in their April trainings. If water is more your thing, then the rafting trip in May might be more your interest. With the training sessions and excursions, you can find your next hiking buddy or try something that you’ve always been interested in. There’s no need to worry if you’re an amateur either, as most of these activities welcome all skill levels.

There has never been a better time to get involved with the program, but why should you? Ryan Dutch, the coordinator at the Outdoor Program, believes that school is more than just the classes you take. “On our trips, you learn things like personal growth and character development,” Dutch said. “These applications can be used in and out of the classroom.” Dutch shares a common goal with the rest of his colleagues. By getting students involved in the outdoors, the program is helping individuals learn new passions and skills that last a lifetime. The objective is to share that passion for the outdoors with anybody who is interested.

Whatever you choose, don’t be afraid to get involved. The organization consists of a group of incredible students with likely similar interests as you. Why not stop by on your next break and ask some questions to the staff. You might just find your new passion along the way.