With the breeze getting cooler and classes getting harder, the outdoors has never looked so appealing to a broke college student. The Outdoor Program (ODP) has implemented some internal changes in hopes of improving program access and quality for WU students.
Funding from ASWU has allowed for a ton of new camping, hiking and cold weather gear to be given to the program, and new managers have prompted a fresh direction for the 2024-25 season. The “@WU_outdoors” Instagram is a new outlet this year, helping to spread the word about trip opportunities and events that the ODP is hosting.
Kira Grimes (’26), the coordinator for the Outdoor Program, stated, “We are working on improvements in terms of how food systems are working and how that food is going out on trips, so students can definitely look forward to that in the coming semester.”
Gear rentals are still free and available Monday through Friday in Montag, with the front desk open from 3-6 p.m.
The Bike Shop, which has seen hard times in recent semesters, is in the process of fixing bike rentals to be ready for use. Be on the lookout for Jason Lehman (’26), the ODP bike shop manager and technician, if you are in need of any sort of bike repair or a bike rental.
Ski and snow trips, like Cosmic Tubing, will be available in the spring semester.