The Pointer UW-Stevens Point Student Newspaper
The Ukulele Tree Climbing Club is a new organization, fusing two diverse activities together, playing the ukulele and climbing trees with equipment.
After receiving recognition from the Student Government Association in early spring, the club has already performed at concerts around Stevens Point, emphasizing safety and providing an inviting and creative environment.
Members are educated and aided about how to use the tree climbing equipment safely. The group sits in trees and creates renditions of songs.
An active member, Chelsey Graunke, senior acting major, said, “As a city person, I never climbed trees before. The people involved are really awesome but also open to interpretation and having us recommend songs.”
Graunke said it is a relatively informal set up and everyone is encouraged to learning and welcoming of individuals of all musical levels. It is a very collaborative process.
The ukulele has become a more popular instrument in recent years and is considered to be one of the easiest to pick up. It is a member of the lute family and it generally employs four nylon, or gut, strings or four courses of strings.
“I joined because I wanted to meet new people who were interested in the same things as I was. They climb trees with gear and I’ve never done that before, so I wanted to try something new,” said Stephanie Stanton, senior biology student.
Stanton said she wanted to learn more about playing the ukulele and kept returning to the club’s practice sessions.
“I think it is a really innovative club, it’s fun and impressive. They integrated two totally non-related recreational activities so more people can come together, ” said Christopher Benny, freshman biochemistry major.
Interested individuals can visit “UWSP Ukulele Tree Climbing Club” on Facebook for more information.
Michelle Wilde
Reporter
Michelle.J.Wilde@uwsp.edu
