Membership climbing for COAR
Posted by The Skyliner on October 7th, 2009Amy Skaggs
Staff Writer
The Crusader Outdoor Adventure and Recreation club is not new to North Greenville. Formerly called the Adventure Club, this organization is centered on getting students to go outdoors and get involved with activities with the school that are quite different from the regular classroom lectures.
This year, the club is trying to turn over a new leaf. In the past, it had problems with membership numbers and student interest. Now the club is under new leadership and seems to be off to a great start. On Sept. 28, COAR hosted a kick-off party to raise awareness of the club, and they seem to have succeeded. Thirty students showed up to Climb @Blue Ridge to participate in free rock climbing,
live music and free food.
COAR’s meetings are not exactly what you would expect from a student-led organization. They do not meet in empty classrooms or in the courtyards. In fact, they don’t even have a set time for when they are going to meet. Students get word of the once-a-month meetings through events and groups on Facebook, along with word of mouth. These meetings are opportunities for hands-on activities. The gatherings take place in the outdoors, either by a river or out in the woods. They are hoping to have at least one major weekend activity a month, with day trips scattered throughout to keep the more time-consumed members active and able to participate.
A rock climbing trip is already being planned for an upcoming adventure. They will be traveling to Linville Gorge where they will camp and rock climb at some of the best locations in the Southeast. This will be an advantageous trip for rock climbing beginners. Participants will be able to learn basic skills such as master point anchor systems and belaying, along with much more.
Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the fall season? COAR is also planning a canoeing trip across Lake Jocassee. Using only what they can pack into their boats, they will paddle up to an island and camp there. This will give the members opportunities to learn about the basics of canoeing along with backcountry cooking.
One of the day trips that is in the works for November is a trip to the Green River Narrows Race to watch the kayakers battle the rapids and race to the finish.
President of COAR and senior outdoor leadership major Jae Ellison says the club has a passion for sharing the love of the wilderness to other students.
“One of our goals is to not only provide outdoor adventures, but to also empower students with the knowledge necessary to pursue their own adventures,” Ellison said.
For updates on activities and to get involved with COAR, join their Facebook group (listed as Crusader Outdoor Adventure & Recreation), follow them on Twitter (twitter.com/NGUCOAR), or email them at NorthGreenvilleCOAR@gmail.com.
Tags: Fall 2009, Vol. 109 - Issue 5