Last night a good-sized group of PSOC-ers came out. We heard from some guest speakers, trip reports, and trip announcements. We also has a physical challenge, in which the entire attendance competed to select on true winner of the game “Bear, salmon, mosquito”.
GUEST SPEAKERS
Take Back the Tap – This club was formed this year at Penn State as part of a national initiative to reduce bottled water consumption and associated costs, energy use, and greenhouse gas emissions through education, behavior change, and policy change. Check out the website or email Danielle Ruff at dar5507@psu.edu for more information. They are working on a petition to ban bottled water on Penn State Campus.
Adventure Recreation – In 2007, Adventure Recreation was created to provide students with a low-cost, safe, and structured outdoor recreation program. As PSOC’s sister organization, they can offer a broader variety of trips we cannot run for risk management reasons, such as caving, mountain biking, climbing, and more. They also offer student employment, and gear rentals (which are free to all PSOC members). Checkout the website or stop by “the ARC” (133A White Building) for more information.
TRIP REPORTS
RADirondacks – Some PSOC members summited New York’s highest peak, Mount Marcy. Unlike last year, they saw beautiful weather and amazing views. Despite cold temperatures, they encountered barred owls and French Canadians and a PSOC alum and her puppy.
National Public Lands Day – Some PSOC members put in a hard day’s work at Black Moshannon State Park, building boardwalks, planting trees, cleaning signs, and having fun.
Cherry Springs and Big Falls – Some PSOC members went camping in Cherry Springs State Park, and then swam at a swimming hole in another state park nearby.
Spring Creek Whitewater Kayaking Sessions – with only one participant in attendance, he enjoyed intensive kayak mentoring at this week’s installment of our ongoing practice sessions.
UPCOMING TRIPS AND EVENTS
Kayak Pool Sessions – Today, 8-10pm – For $5, you can receive professional whitewater kayaking instruction. Come to practice your rolls or other technical skills. Email ajf200@psu.edu to sign up, spaces are still open! Future sessions will occur on 10/21, 11/18, and 12/9.
Cherry Springs – 10/16-17 – We will be camping where the skies are incredibly dark, doing some stargazing and a little hiking too. This trip is full, but email bsv5021@psu.edu to be added to the end of a long waitlist.
Kayak Practice Sessions at Spring Creek – These will occur weekly. Email ajf200@psu.edu to get involved.
Mt. Gretna Bouldering Competition – 11/21 – Join PSOC’s veteran climber Sam DeVries and compete in this outdoor climbing competition in Governer Dick State Park. For $20 registration you get a t-shirt and a burrito. Sam will also be leading a training trip to Climbnasium in Mechanicsburg. Email her at sjd522@psu.edu to sign up for either.
West Rim Trail – 11/6-8 – Ricky Waltz will be leading a trip on this meandering 30 mile loop. This “sister trail” to the Black Forest Trail has many gorgeous views of the Pine Creek Gorge (aka the PA Grand Canyon), and a lot less elevation change. Email rww5344@psu.edu to sign up, they are especially in ne! ed of drivers!
Tuscarora Trail – 10/23-24 – With a canning weekend cancelled, Rick Devery is planning a leaf-peeping overnight on this central PA long distance trail. Email him at rtd5077@psu.edu to sign up!
Wild Women – date TBD – Annabel Drayton will be leading an beginners, all girls backpacking trip. It’s still early in the planning stages, but email her at avd5431@psu.edu for more info.
PSOC THON
With canning suspended, our THON group will be turning to other fundraising measures in upcoming weeks. They will be selling pressed flower greeting cards and parachord bracelets, and preparing for the upcoming THON 5K. Stay for the “meeting after the meeting” every week to get involved!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Check out the PSOC Instagram account @psuoutingclub. Hashtag photos #psoc to get featured!
Check out the collaborative spotify playlist. Perfect music to get you pumped on a drive out to the woods!
Check out our facebook group!
PAPERWORK
Membership!
If you want to become an official member, please come to the next meeting with a completed participation agreement (in pen), and club dues in cash ($30 for year, $20 for one semester). All members must have health insurance, but are no longer required to provide proof.
Benefits of membership include:
– being able to go on trips
– free gea! r rental from Penn State Adventure Recreation
– 10% discount at Appalachian Outdoors
– discounted Rock Climbing at the State College YMCA
– being irresistibly attractive
– being involved in a community of outdoors-people at Penn State!
Safety Officers
– Provide scanned copies of your certifications for CPR/AED and First Aid. Certifications are only accepted from the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, and the Emergency Care and Safety Institute.
– Complete Safety Officer Form
Drivers
– Complete Vehicle Authorization Form
– Submit and print the Vehicle Authorization Form and have it signed by the vehicle owner (whoever’s name is on the registration)
– Provide scanned copies of your up-to-date Vehicle Registration, Auto Insurance, and Driver’s License
OFFICERS
President: Nate Moorman – ndm5147@psu.edu
Vice President: Kelly Culliney – kmc5949@psu.edu
Treasurer: Pat Thornton – pmt5068@psu.edu
Secretary: Ben Vizzachero – bsv5021@psu.edu
THON Chair : Taylor Bell – txb5167@psu.edu
Social Outreach Chair: Aaron Fleishman – ajf200@psu.edu
Fresh Historian: Zack Webb – zjw5042@psu.edu
