The Pointer UW-Stevens Point Student Newspaper
Although Outdoor Edventures is no more, students are still able to rent equipment like canoes, sleeping bags and skis.
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point eliminated Outdoor Edventures during state budget reductions but decided to keep parts of the program alive by merging it with Intramurals to create Intramurals and Outdoor Rentals.
The new program does not offer Outdoor Edventures’ signature clinics and trips. Last year trips included ice climbing, skiing and exploring Zion and Arches National Parks during spring break. The recreational activities coordinator coordinated many of those trips, and that position has been eliminated.
Photo by Lily Dettle.
Students are still able to rent equipment.
Andrew Lockwood, senior fisheries and biology major, said he is concerned about the future of the clinics and trips that made Outdoor Edventures unique.
“There are a lot of kids that come to Point looking for things like that and now they’re on their own,” Lockwood said. “I feel bad that the freshman don’t have that available. It was one of the cool things about the university.”
Rental rates have not changed, and the same equipment, which is stored in the HEC, is available. Outdoor Edventures’ former space in the Allen Center is now a cycling studio.
Despite being disappointed the program is gone, Lockwood said the merge may be a more efficient way for students to learn about and access the service.
“Tons of people play intramurals and walk the the HEC everyday,” Lockwood said. “There might be more students using that equipment this year which is good.”
Ethan Quimby and Alex Cheban, student staff members of Intramurals, said there have been few issues during the transition, and most were related to the electronic payment system. They said they see the merge as a way to improve and expand each program.
“I don’t think we’ll miss a beat,” Cheban said. “It’s only gonna help.”
The intramurals office is located in a high traffic area of campus and is more visible to students than the former Allen Center basement location. It reported having 9,087 student participants in intramural activities last year.
“It might be easier to find us. It’s closer to campus,” Quimby said. “We’ll let everyone know, ‘hey you can do this here.'”
Avery Jehnke
Reporter
ajehn738@uwsp.edu
