Hi everyone! In this week’s (second) blog, I’m going to talk about the Outing Club at Amherst College, and some of the activities I’ve been able to do with them. If you have any questions at all, please email me at sgoldsmith24@amherst.edu! I would love to hear from you.
The Outing Club
The Outing Club is one of the biggest clubs on campus. They run trips and events every weekend, and currently hold monthly in-person weekends to talk about past and upcoming trips, feel out what people are interested in doing, and eat snacks. They have a massive email list and GroupMe to disseminate information, in case you can’t make a meeting or have a question. The Outing Club was a solace for me during my first year of college, when classes were remote and I felt pretty lonely. I really enjoyed getting the opportunity to be outside with other people, socialize, and participate in a common activity (more on that below).
Typical Events
The events hosted by the Outing Club shift with the seasons; in fall and spring, there are often campfires with smores, night walks to look at stars, hikes, and trail-clearing days. One weekend we were able to go to the observatory at night, which I enjoyed. They also offer passes to a nearby rock-climbing facility, which I haven’t done, but I’ve heard very good things. In the winter, they host skiing and snowboarding trips.
This semester, the Outing Club has partnered with a company called Adventure East, which runs outdoor activities across Western Massachusetts. They have held the aforementioned ski trips, and forest bathing and yoga activities.
Last Weekend’s Ski Trip
Last weekend, I went on an Outing Club-sponsored trip with Adventure East to Berkshire East, a ski resort in northwestern Massachusetts. We were bussed there, given cards that let us rent ski equipment and use the ski lift, and given free rein at the resort for several hours. Free lessons were offered for all beginner skiers in the morning, and in the afternoon, they hit the mountain. My roommate and I went on the trip together, and we had a great time.
Thank you for reading!