Spencer Thomas and Ethan Dill/Staff reporters
The Outdoor Club provides Gleneagle students with an opportunity to be part of trips and excursions during the year, while meeting new friends and learning new skills.
Upcoming trips are possible over Remembrance Day long weekend and winter break. The club, run by Krista Bogen, English and COAST teacher, is where students will make new friends. “Some of the best friends you’ll ever meet are the ones that you get to share outdoor experiences with,” said Bogen enthusiastically.
Interested students can join the Outdoor Club Microsoft Team online by using the code q6g40jq. There are no initial costs, students pay for each individual trip that they choose to partake in.
During the Outdoor Club, students work as a team in a noncompetitive way to reach one common goal. Students in the club participate in a range of activities such as hiking, camping, and canoeing. The club travels throughout British Columbia, allowing students to take in the many beautiful sights of the province. Students learn needed skills like cooking food, setting up campsites, sustainable camping, respect, and teamwork. They will be expected to practice “Leave No Trace” principles. The Outdoor Club provides a physical challenge for all students.
Gleneagle students are fortunate that the school has two buses and lots of high-end outdoor equipment. Equipment has been obtained throughout the 25 years of the Outdoor Club. Gleneagle is one of three schools in the district with a bus. Students respect buses and equipment in order to keep the club going, trips would not be possible without the students. With prices of equipment rising, starting an outdoor club now would be next to impossible.
The Outdoor club is running after two years of the pandemic forcing the club to be put on hold. The first years the club hasn’t run since the opening of Gleneagle in 1997.
Plans for future trips are being made, “I would like to organize something for November 11th long Weekend.” said Bogen when asked about future trips. Bogen and students would enjoy canoeing on upcoming trips. Students need to dress warm because of the cold and wet fall and winter weather. Bogen wants to have a Grade 9 only trip as well, so they get a chance to learn new skills and make new memories. This will provide grade 9’s with a taste of what COAST might be like.
As the winter months approach, it makes camping more difficult. The Outdoor Club canceled their Manning Park trip two weekends ago, October 8 and 9, forest fires and the possibility of snow were to blame. “It’s all for health and safety.” said Bogen, on behalf of the trip being canceled. With the danger of fires and risk of snow, the Outdoor Club canceled the trip to ensure the safety of members.
The Elfin lakes trip was the first overnight trip for the Outdoor club in three years. The ex-COAST students could participate, meaning only the grade 11’s and 12 students attended this trip. The trip was important for the grade 12’s as they were limited during their COAST year due to Covid-19. Patricio Romo Aldana, grade 11, said, “The excitement fills my body as I count down the second to unite with the fellow Outdoor Clubsters!” in the buildup to the Elfin Lakes trip.
Elfin lakes was a one-night trip to Garibaldi Provincial Park. Students were tasked with a 22km round trip, with a grueling 600m elevation gain to the summit. On the first day students hiked 11km, up to the Elfin Lakes campsite, where they spent the night. The entire hike had stunning views including those from the campsite. “I was so impressed” said Bogen regarding the students hiking skills and ability to take care of each other. The temperature was mild, and the sun was shining, even too hot for some students. On the second day, students hiked 11km down to the bus. The trip was a huge success, it was smooth sailing the whole way, “It was probably one of the best trips I had ever done” said Bogen after the trip.