An Outdoor Adventure Exposition was held Thursday, Sept. 12, at 2 p.m. in the new Center for Physical Activity at ETSU to give students an opportunity to step outside their homes for some fun in the great outdoors.
Booths and exhibits were set up by many area clubs and organizations to showcase activities like rock climbing, hiking, camping and canoeing.
“We just want to market our programs to the students to let them know we are here,” said David Mueller, coordinator for the Basler Challenge Course and outdoor adventure programs.
“If you want to hike, this is the organization to join,” said Ed Oliver, the special project coordinator for Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing organization.
Established in 1947, the TEHC also has a small membership fee of $5 and there are about 550 members in the region.
There are conservationists and naturalists who work to keep the Appalachian Trail, the Beauty Spot, and many other outdoor attractions neat and clean. They hike every third Saturday of each month. To learn more about the TEHC check the website at www.tehcc.org
“We’ll take anyone. We hike all year and canoe when the weather permits us,” said Kim Peters, president of Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing.
The exhibition also showcased mountain biking and street biking.
Last year the ETSU chapter of the International Mountain Biking Association placed second in the SECCC and 22nd in the nation.
The organization meets on Wednesdays at the dual slalom located beside central shipping and receiving.
They participate in three races a year with two open to the public. It is $20 a semester but that includes the waiving of race fees and other discounts.
“Not many people know we are here,” said Josh Thompson the vice president of the ETSU chapter of IMBA. “It’s a lot of fun. We are collegiate athletes.
It’s harder on us though because we lack funding.”
The Buccaneer Outdoor Recreation Club, now in its second year, also had a display. They do things like conserve and maintain outdoor attractions in our region or just basically anything one can do outdoors.
“This is a great club for ETSU students to meet people with the same interests. It gives you a list of friends you might have never had and just broadens your horizons,” said member Patrick Hit.
The BORC is looking for a cooperate sponsor.
Johnson City Parks and Recreation also participated. They have a regular schedule of guided nature hikes at Winged Deer Park, Willow Spring Park and Buffalo Mountain Park. They are now featuring what is called the Naturalist Series which offer in-depth programs in mushroom identification, birding, wildflower and tree identification, and others.
“I love it. We want to protect our nature and have fun doing it,” said Brad Jones the Johnson City Parks and Recreation’s park naturalist. “We looked for mushrooms to identify last time. I just wouldn’t eat some of the exotic species we found.”
ETSU also has its very own indoor and outdoor rock wall for rock climbing.
Both walls are located at the Center for Physical Activity. No equipment or experience is necessary.
For more information, call the Campus Recreation Outdoor Adventures at 439-7999.

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