Hey Greener! Want to get off campus and off the beaten track to experience what the Olympic area has to offer? Look no further than Evergreen's Outdoor Program! The Outdoor Program (TOP), is a part of Campus Recreation. It strives to bring students together for outdoor activities ranging from orienteering to kayaking.
In short, TOP is here to bring Greeners like you a little closer to our state's 'wild side.' TOP organizes outings to get students into what the Great Outdoors of Washington State has to offer. You may have seen flyers advertising for a 'Leave No Trace' course or perhaps the upcoming Mt. Ellinor Day Trip. These events (and many more) are coordinated and made possible by TOP. And while TOP is known for its trips off campus, it's also striving to expand its ability to offer new services to the Evergreen community in other ways, too.
Several classes are run at the CRC by student instructors. TOP is also looking to restore old facilities. How cool is that? Unfamiliar with the outdoors? Worried TOP won't welcome newcomers? Rob, manager of TOP says absolutely, they do! TOP is intended to make the outdoors as accessible as possible for students. With transportation, classes, and opportunities to consult professionals about the outdoors, newbies are more than welcome to sign up for TOP events. And if you're already an outdoors enthusiast, there are programs coordinated for you as well.
Any range of outdoor experience is welcome. There's nothing to worry about if you're less than confident in your abilities to accurately read a map. Just sign up and bring enthusiasm and willingness to learn and you'll be set! So, Greener, what do you think? Not every place gives you a chance to go out into the wild. Whether it's skiing with friends this winter or spotting the elusive bittern in Nisqually, you can count on TOP to bring you a fantastic experience of the outdoors. You might just find TOP gives you an adventure you'll talk about for years to come.
For those of you that are interested, TOP is hosting a free orienteering event on Nov. 6, called The Great Treasure Race. Students will work in teams and learn how to effectively use a compass for orienteering, complete tasks and solve riddles to reach -- you guessed it -- treasure before the other teams. An informational meeting will be held beforehand to explain orienteering to participants. It's going to be a blast!
Interested in all of what TOP has to offer? You can register for upcoming events at the CRC's Administration desk or check out the TOP website at: http://www.evergreen.edu/recreation/outdoorprogram/home.htm