Build your own basket... underwater

Perhaps you've got a knack for arts and crafts.

Or it could be you're just a slacker.

Next semester, you could combine these three skills into one.

Yes, the Student Recreation Center is offering underwater basket weaving.

"Everyone always jokes about this, and we wanted to make it real," said Angie Amundson, a program coordinator for Campus Recreation. "It is going to be a lot of fun."

Amundson said students will don masks and snorkels and then submerge in the Rec Center pool with a goal of weaving the perfect basket.

"We are actually going to make a basket - underwater," Amundson said

Amundson said she got the idea while attending a national education conference. Another university's representative said the class had been a big hit at their school.

Shannon Stock, an economics and marketing senior, will teach the class.

Stock is not only a trained lifeguard but was an arts and crafts teacher last summer.

"I think it will be a lot of fun," Stock said. "The purpose of it is to be fun."

Participants will get a mask and snorkel and, after completing the course, will also take home a personalized certificate and a T-shirt.

Stock added the certificates will be humorous, but designed to look official.

The shirts have not been designed yet, she said.

Stock said she thought the idea a little strange when she heard it. After all, she said, underwater basket weaving is such a myth.

Stock said she was excited at the same time.

Stock said she was not sure what type of basket students will make - stressing only that it will be a surprise.

Like Stock, other people were surprised by the class's topic.

Psychology senior Lisa Punelli said she thought it was a joke when she heard about the class from a friend.

"I think it's really funny," she said. "It really does exist, so it's great. I think people will be interested in it."

Amundson said when she tells people about the basket-weaving class, they have been surprised that the class really will be offered, but that they say it sounds like fun.

Two sections of the class were scheduled, each on Saturday for two hours. A $10 fee covers supplies and snorkels.

Amundson said if the sections fill up and if there is enough interest, more sections will be added.

For more information, call Campus Recreation at 621-4709.