Every semester, ETSU’s Campus Recreation Outdoor Adventure offers trips and hikes to students at little or no cost. Although COVID-19 and Tennessee’s weather have complicated some of the plans, the department is optimistic about participation and plans for the rest of the semester.
“We’re taking more of a specific look at the departmental marketing and having more of a presence on social media as well as just in the building and all around campus,” said Hammontree. “I think that those strategies have really helped us kind of get the word out more effectively.”
Despite COVID-19 restrictions limiting their van capacity for transportation, David Mueller, assistant director of ETSU Outdoor Adventure, explained that each trip offered so far has reached its limit of participants. Graduate assistant Thomas Hammontree attributes this surge of attendance to the department’s new media strategy to get the word out to students.
These trips have ranged anywhere from the Tweetsie Trail in downtown Johnson City to Sand Cave in Ewing, Virginia, almost two hours away. There are a variety of excursions offered, including campus-oriented, sunset and moonlight hikes. The hikes vary in length to meet the needs of all students.
The most popular spring hiking trip, according to Mueller, is to Max Patch Mountain on the North Carolina and Tennessee border; that trip will be on April 11 at 10 a.m.
“Originally the Max Patch loop is only a mile and a half trail, so we’re actually going on different trails to explore more of the area and not just the famous loop,” Hammontree said. “It’s a very congested area, so that’s another reason why we’re taking some scenic routes.”
Although the Max Patch trip is already full, Hammontree encourages students to sign up for the waiting list because people always drop later on. He included that Outdoor Adventure is always willing to share trip information for people to go out and hike themselves, as well as rent gear to them.
“People can’t go on trips, for various reasons, whether they’re full or just schedule is not working for them, so one of the ways we want to help get more people exposed to nature and being in the wilderness is by having a resource where people can find out more information and go themselves,” said Hammontree. “Plus we provide equipment rentals; we rent out bikes, tents, I mean you name it we probably have it.”
Mueller encourages the ETSU community to take advantage of their trips this semester or the resources campus recreation can provide them. They can give tips to new hikers on good destinations to visit locally and regionally, as well as recommend what supplies to bring and what to look out for.
“Outdoor activities are great in that niche where it’s not a competitive sport, it’s not about doing as many pushups as you can do,” Mueller said. “You know you’re getting exercise ,but you’re getting so much more than exercise you’re getting a really good experience.”
The next hike will be a 1-mile, evening hike April 6 at 6 p.m. at University Woods on campus. To sign up, use the ETSU Campus Recreation Member Portal. Through the portal, people can also be added to the waitlist for other trips that are already full. Outdoor rental equipment information can be found on their website as well. To learn more, contact outdooradventure@etsu.edu or call the Outdoor Adventure Center at 423-439-7989.
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