Meeting Minutes – 12/8/2015

Hello All, if you missed the memo about last nights meeting (sorry I forgot to send a reminder!), read this to find out what went on.

We will not meet again until January 12th. On January  19th, we will be bringing in local long-distance hiking guru Dave Gantz to share his extensive experience. If you are a casual backpacker looking to learn about what it takes to plan hikes of a week or more, this is your chance!

TRIP REPORTS

Wildwater Kayaking Competition – two PSOCers competed in this national whitewater kayaking competition, where long, expensive, fiberglass hurtle through class 4 rapids at high speeds. Kurt Smithgall took third in two events, and will be representing the USA in Europe at the Wildwater World Cham-pee-on-ships

Kinzua Bridge – After a long drive made longer by navigational blunders, a small crew of PSOCers went to visit this massive spectacle of industrialization. Once the world’s tallest, this rail road bridge was wrecked by a tornado in 2003 but is still accessible as a state park. They enjoyed the views, sketchy climbing, and many clementines.

Rayestown Hike & Bike – a crew of PSOCers went down to Rayestown Lake this weekend, where part of the group hiked down to the lake and the rest pedaled around the Allegrippis Trail System on rented mountain bikes. As  the fog lingered all day, all enjoyed traversing terrain and witnessing the lake and forest in an eerie but beautiful state.
UPCOMING TRIPS

Climbing @ the YMCA – 12/11, 5-7 pm – PSOC treasurer Pat Thornton is heading down to the local YMCA on Waupelani Drive, where PSOC members can climb for $3. This wall is a great place for beginners to begin and experienced climbers to get practice. Email him at pmt5086@psu.edu to coordinate.

Polar Bear Plunge – 12/12 – Rick Devery is planning this year’s annual polar plunge, a great chance for PSOCers to test their limits of cold endurance and skills of treating mild hypothermia. We’ll be leaving at 9, and driving to Unionville to jump into the Bald Eagle Creek. Afterwards, we’ll warm up with some hot chocolate and a diner meal. Spots remain, email rickdevery@gmail.com if interested.

Centralia – 12/13 – This ghost town in the heart of PA’s coal country was abandoned after underground coal mines caught fire. Over 50 years later, many of these fires still burn. If interested in witnessing this eerie spectacle of urban decay, email rickdevery@gmail.com to get on the waitlist.

Cold MiLK Hike IV – 1/15-18 – In the fourth installment of an annual tradition, I will be taking advantage of the long weekend by planning a long hike, and taking advantage of the cold weather by bringing an excess of dairy products. This is a great chance to dive into cold-weather backpacking. Email me at benvizzachero@gmail.com to sign up.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Officer Elections: Canoe Division Chair – Alex Vesey is excited to build our momentum as PSOC’s new Canoe Division Chair! An experienced river guide and competitive paddler, we look forward to the radness he will oversee.

Fall Foliage Foto Contest – The Fall Photo contest is now closed for submissions, look forward to seeing the winners at the first meeting of the next semester.

Logo Design Competition – Though the deadline technically passed, we will be accepting submission for the new PSOC logo/t-shirt design until the start of the spring semester. Email any ideas for the new Outing Club logo to psoc-officers@googlegroups.com.

PSOC THON

THONvelopes – The fundraising season is in full swing, come to the meeting after the meeting to pick up some envelopes, decorate them, and send them out to request charitable donations from friends and loved ones!

Yankee Candle Sale – This online candle sale benefitting THON will be going on until the next semester starts. Check out the facebook event, and be sure to invite an exorbitant number of friends and relatives. Click this link to buy candles benefitting THON: https://www.yank! eecandlefundraising.com/FFentry.htm?publicKey=tdA6Xk2ZfXE2hxXmt9yVoDTWPWH6wA2x&frComp=ycf

 

PAPERWORK

All of the linked forms above are also available here: http://sites.psu.edu/clubsports/resources/

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 y! ear, $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 gear 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 a! re only accepted from the American Red Cross, American Heart Associatio! n, a! nd 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

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