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The great outdoors

Program brings UA students to the outdoors

In an effort to offer a variety of recreational activities to the UA community, a small but industrious group of students organizes three to four outdoor trips a month that emphasize individual and social growth.

"We're trying to promote ... some personal development," said Bruce Rischar, Outdoor Adventures assistant director. "People get to do something new and different, and there's that social interaction.

"The program was put together by the department of campus recreation to offer the university community ... a variety of activities."

The program - which is open to University of Arizona students, faculty and staff and those people's guests - has a staff of 12 undergraduate and graduate students assisting in its outings.

Fine arts and creative writing sophomore Justine Pechuzal has been on many trips as a staff member, including a scuba diving excursion off the coast of Mexico.

Pechuzal used to be a camp counselor and said she has always enjoyed outdoor activities. She said the leadership qualities she learned as a counselor help her now as a member of the Outdoor Adventures staff.

She added that working for the program has been the experience of a lifetime, and it has enhanced her college experience as a whole.

"I've gotten incredible experiences that I wouldn't have working in the student union," said Pechuzal. "And I've definitely learned a lot from (this) job."

Rischar said that even though fun is the bottom line with each trip, safety is also stressed. He added that adhering to safety guidelines is the key to a successful trip.

"The only way to have fun on these activities is to be safe. If somebody gets hurt, the trip changes, and it becomes an evacuation, and that's not fun at all," Rischar said.

In order to promote safety on these outdoor trips, Rischar ensures that his staff has all undergone the proper training and safety instructions.

"The programs are leader-based activities ... we have a student staff working here, and they're the ones responsible," Rischar said. "They have certain procedures they have to follow. Safety is of the highest priority."

The Wilderness First Responder Course - a safety class that staff members must take - lasts 72 hours and is the only course open to the public instead of just the UA community.

Outdoor Adventures was originally much smaller, but over the years it has been in operation, increased interests have led to more and more trips and, eventually, an expansion to the Student Recreation Center.

"The Outdoor Adventures program started in 1989, and they were in Bear Down (Gym)," said Rischar. "When this department moved to this new facility (the Student Recreation Center) in 1990 and Outdoor Adventures came over here, it really expanded that year. We offered a lot more trips then."

Rischar says the group has never had a problem filling spots, especially rock climbing, which Rischar says is the club's most popular activity.

Two of the more popular trips of the 19 offered this semester have been sea kayaking and rock climbing.

The group has a rock climbing trip planned for this weekend in the Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains - an event that filled up in February.

"Rock climbing always has a waiting list longer than the number of people that can go," Rischar said.

Rischar advises those interested in Outdoor Adventures to sign up at least a couple of months in advance.

"The Spring Break trip filled the first two days of school. People need to really plan ahead to get in on these trips," Rischar said.

Outdoor Adventures will continue to offer outings this summer. The group is already planning some new activities for next year, including a new 54-mile sea kayaking course through parts of Utah and into Arizona.

"We'll also be running a trip through Copper Canyon next December or January, and that should generate a lot of interest," Rischar said.

For more information about Outdoor Adventures, call 621-8233 or visit Outdoor Adventures in the Student Recreation Center.

Christopher Jivan can be reached at catalyst@wildcat.arizona.edu.