Looking to get the most out of your exploration experience here in the UP? Then look no further, as the Outdoor Venture Crew (OVC) has you covered! Not to be confused with the Outdoor Adventure Program (OAP), the OVC is a student organization here on campus that looks to push students out of their comfort zones and into the wilds of discovery through means of hiking, exploring, and anything nature. OVC president Zoey Ethridge said it’s “a space for people who want to get more experience in the outdoors, and it’s a place for people to meet other people who do the same thing.”
Considering the UP is loaded with scenic locations and trails to be traversed, the OVC has a plethora of adventures to cover this semester and beyond. Day hikes, longer travels, winter expeditions, you name it. The OVC is also active year-round, meaning if you’d like to go backpacking over the summer with some friends, you’re more than likely to have the opportunity. One of Zoey’s favorite memories with the club happened to occur in the summer, she explains, “We went out to Black Hills in South Dakota…and the next morning we woke up to snow on the ground, no one knew that was gonna happen because it was a summer trip. And then the next day we got to hike up to the tallest point in South Dakota which was pretty sweet.” Some other trips to look out for in the near future include an introduction to backpacking at the end of Sep. and a fall break backpacking trip.
The OVC also supplies students with a variety of backpacking and hiking equipment that is available for rental for no extra cost other than the member’s dues payment. The idea is to allow for any student to have the opportunity to experience the serenity of nature without needing to worry too much about the costs of personal equipment, if that’s a factor holding back the adventure.
If you are interested in joining the OVC or simply learning more about what they are all about, then you can find them meeting on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m. in Fisher 125. The OVC also has a gallery on the Involvement Link if you would like to be a part of some of the action.
