Oregon daily emerald., February 17, 1982, Section B, Page 6, Image 13

Head for the hills!
...or anywhere else with
the Oregon Outdoor Program
By Mike Riplinger
Of the Emaralc
Interested in the outdoors but don't
know an avalanche from a riptide?
Then the University Outdoor Program
can help
The Outdoor Program is a co-op
structured service that offers something
Cross country skiing is just one of the
many activities sponsored by the Out
door Program.
for everybody, whether you're a moun
tain climber or just like to catch a sunset
at the beach
“We are a wilderness co-operative that
is run basically by the participants,” says
Keith Nelson, assistant coordinator
"This program is exactly what the par
ticipants want it to be They decide the
scope and content by showing where
their interests lie.”
The Outdoor Program offers the
chance to experience the outdoors
through participation, in campus films
and slide shows, or through demonstra
tions and clinics. Actual outdoor recrea
tion can be obtained at low costs, with
out any red tape, and often without much
advance planning.
Participants merely sign up for one of
the many trips offered in the Outdoor
Program office, located in Room 23 of
the EMU. These trips are unique in that
they are set up by the participants them
selves, and offer anyone the chance for a
little adventure and fun
And if the right trip isn't available, then
start your own by filling out a trip sheet
"There is usually a trip for everyone —
from a one-day ski outing to a three
month raft trip,” Nelson says
"The recent white water trip to Nepal
(headed by Bruce Mason, coordinator of
the Outdoor Program) started here
Many of the members of that trip learned
their rafting skills on the Willamette and
McKenzie rivers through this program."
A trip such as the one to Nepal is a
The Outdoor Program sponsors outdoor projects such as bicycle touring (upper left
photo) and white water kayaking (above). The trips “give anyone the opportunity to
get what they want out of the outdoors," says Keith Nelson, assistant program
coordinator.
once-in-a-lifetime experience for the
program, but the majority of the trips are
at the entry-level, or beginner's pace
The trips are all self-motivated, with the
members teaching, sharing and learning
from each other
"The camaderie of the program keeps
the members coming back Sharing,
trusting and willing to be trusted make
participants more than just members of
the trip, but friends There aren't that
many opportunities to meet people like
this,'' Nelson says
“The trips are fun, safe, and environ
mentally conscientious Many people
don’t think they have a big impact when
they go out in the wilderness but they
do We emphasize having a good time
without bothering others, and we think,
with care, this can be done
The Outdoor Program is more than just
a takeoff point for going to the woods,
but a resource and referral center The
program gives information, maps and
ideas for trips It also offers the use of a
van for planned outings, and rafts for
white water trips
The program gives various slide
shows, clinics and demonstrations rang
ing from a show of the 1980 American
Women Expedition to kayak lessons It
Continued on Page 7B
SEE THE EUGENE COUNTRYSIDE
WHILE GETTING SOME EXERCISE TOO!
TAKE A BIKE RIDE
We rent bicycles, trailers,
helments, touring gear
Quality bicycle repair
Tuneups
Bridgestone Bicycles
Blue Sky Carts
687-1775
6th and High
'/2 mile from
^ campus
OPEN
7 days
a week y
DO IT OUTDOORS IN OREGON
With the best selection of quality backpacks
sleeping bags, tents and all your
backpack needs
on the comer of 8th and Willamette
TEETH
Ignore them
and they will
go away
Teeth Cleaning
and Exam $25
Will Momingsun D.D.S.
Thomas R. Huhn O.D.S.
call for appointment
746-6517
1 Vi miles from campus next to
the Bike Path
528 Mill St. Springfield