Kalamazoo Outing Club
Program
Proposal 2008
Mission Statement
•The mission of the Kalamazoo College Outing Club (KOC) is
to provide all “K” community members the ability to experience
the outdoors in a noncompetitive and supportive environment
regardless of their ability, while at the same time
complementing the general goals of the school by providing an
important aspect of a liberal-arts education.
GOALS
•To provide the “K” college community with experiential education,
environmental awareness, and technical skills so that they can successfully
participate in and lead outdoor activities and wilderness trips.
•Promote group and individual growth.
•To have students try new things and meet new people.
•Stimulate interest in outdoor activities and curiosity of the natural wilderness.
•Have a proactive educational role in environmental stewardship.
•Show students that there is more than just the “K” bubble and the town of
Kalamazoo.
•Continue, complement and add to the LandSea and study abroad experiences.
•Directed by the desire to achieve such goals without financial discrimination.
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
Benefits of having an Outing
Club
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A MAJOR ASPECT OF LIBERAL-ARTS EDUCATION
Leadership training (group dynamics, team structure, etc…)
Better understanding of the “greater picture”
Greater respect for others, self, and environment
Alcohol-free and Drug-free option/substitute alternative activity
Physical and health benefits
Wilderness appreciation on a global scale
Giving K students the hard and soft skills of trip leading and wilderness
travel
Teaches risk management, thought process, cause and effect, sound
judgment, and independence
In line with Kalamazoo College’s goal of sustainability and recycling efforts
(see Furman University Outdoor Club)
LNT philosophy
Bringing together community (college and city)
A draw for admissions with recruiting
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
Who Are We???
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THE FOLLOWING IS A GENERIC SETUP AND OURS MIGHT DIFFER
Government and Operating Officers
Student-run emphasis with non-student staff member to help ensure
consistency, liability, counsel, direction, and support.
1 (to start) Non-student staff member working at 1/4 to 1/3 time (520 to 690
hours a year)
Student President
Student Vice President
Student Treasurer
Student Secretary
Student Gear Manager
Student Food Room Manager
Student Trip Planning Committees- Hiking/backpacking,
Canoeing/Kayaking, Biking (mountain and road) to start. More subset
committees as KOC grows in participation size and financial backing.
Student Web Manager and Publicists
Student and Faculty/Staff Trip Leaders
Any individual who classifies as at least one of these positions is part of the
Kalamazoo Outing Club Council
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
Who Are We? (cont.)
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“We…are commonly known as a pretty odd group of people…who climb mountains
because we like the view from the top…who go out hiking because…well…because
we like the sun on our backs and the rain on our ponchos…When night comes we
square dance or sit around the campfire singing the old songs that campfire squatters
have sung always…loving the sight of pine-light on the faces of our friends…We don’t
happen to drink on our trips because liquor seems to be an unnecessary
commodity…and besides…who wouldn’t be “half-seas over” at the mere sight of a
friend hanging from a rafter…safely zipped in a sleeping bag…We boast the weirdest
hats in the nation…faster fire builders than the Boy Scouts…though perhaps not with
a single match…and undoubtedly the most perverted sense of humor since Joe Miller
let loose his humor on the unsuspecting multitudes…We don’t tend to couple on our
trips because…we like the give and take (as in food) of a group…and we like to carry
the idea of…individuality within a group…into all phases of our program…and even
into our personal philosophy…many people think we're crazy…we are sure of it…We
haven’t written this to edify ourselves…we know it at heart…This is for you who might
want to know us better…like this page…we lack much formal organization…but
still…this is us.
– Sandy Rosebrook
Syracuse University Outing Club”
Taken from The Outing Club Handbook, Edited by Gunner Peterson, George Williams College; For the Intercollegiate Outing Club Association, 1955.
• Any student, faculty, or staff member can rent gear, take classes, and participate in
trips. Outside guests may accompany any of the above mentioned on trips. Some
larger classes can be held open to the general public.
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
Three Sections of the KOC
• Gear Rentals
• Classes/seminars
• Trips
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
GEAR- Currently available
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Sleeping bags
Tarps
Ground pads
Ground cloths
Stoves (with training)
Fuel bottles
Cookware
Packs (internal, external, and day)
Climbing harnesses, helmets, belay devices
(for use at Climb Kalamazoo and
classes/seminars)
Compasses
Whistles
Hamilton Outing Club
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Stuff sacks (various sizes)
Duffel bags (various sizes)
Head lamps
Lanterns
Bikes (HUB)
Dry bags/bear bags/food bags
Coolers
Water filters
Iodine water treatment
Water bottles
Water buckets
P-cord & non-climbing rope
First-aid kits
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
Gear- Future ability
• Tents
• Canoes/Kayaks (not
for rent)
• Lifejackets/paddles
• Snowshoes
• X-country skis and
boots
• Gators
• Nordic skis and boots
• Ice skates
• Pulks
• Trekking poles
• Rain gear
• Maps/trail info books
• Field Guides (birds,
Midwest forests/trees,
edible plants)
• Star finders,
astronomy chart spin
wheels
• Full Climbing gear
(not rentable)
• Duluth packs
• Canoe trailer
• Wetsuits
• Ice axes
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
Classes/Seminars
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PE credit
Climbing
Caving
X-country skiing
Leadership (ropes courses)
Whitewater paddling- canoe and kayak
Flat-water paddling- canoe and kayak
Pool paddling (i.e. beginner skills,
during winter, Eskimo roles)
Survival skills
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Shelter making
Primitive fire building
Edible plants and animals
Tracking
Winter travel
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Skiing/snowboarding
Ice skating
Sailing (already a current class)
Scuba diving (already a current class)
Fishing (water, ice, & fly)
Hunter’s safety
Trail maintenance
Navigation, orientation, (map and
compass, celestial sextant)
Medical Certifications:
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WWS, LGT, WFA, WAFA, WFR, EMT,
WEMT, WSI, AMGA, CPR, AED,
Gear specific training
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Stove use, maintenance, and repair
GPS: (see geocaching)
Harnesses, climbing ropes, knots,
belay devices
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
TRIPS!!!
• Day trips (mainly hikes or climbs)
• Overnights
• Three day extravaganza (Friday
evening/afternoon through Sunday noon)
• Extended break (winter, spring, & summer)
• Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Nonassociated
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
Hiking/Backpacking
• Waterloo-Pinckney Trail (near
Chelsea and Pinckney. 38.5 miles)
• Potawatomi Trail (Pinckney
Recreation Area. 17.5 miles)
• Big Sable Point (Manistee National
Forest and Ludington State Park. 15
miles)
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
The North Country Trail
• White Cloud to Nicholas Lake (nearest town:
White Cloud. 24.8 miles)
• Nichols Lake to Highbank Lake (nearest town:
Baldwin. 12 miles)
• Ward Hills and McCarthy Lake (nearest town:
Baldwin. 21.6 miles)
1:
http://www.northcountrytrail.org/
“The North Country National Scenic
Trail is a premier footpath that stretches
for about 4,600 miles linking
communities, forests, and prairies
across seven northern states. Already,
more than 1,800 miles have been
certified off-road. Additional miles
follow shared paths, and some road
walks yet remain. The map above
shows the trail in its entirety. When
completed it will be the longest off-road
hiking trail in the United States…The
National Headquarters is located in
Lowell, Michigan, near the geographic
center of the Trail. The office is at 229
E. Main Street, just one block from the
Trail as it follows the Flat River.”1
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
Biking
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Kal-Haven bike trail (Kalamazoo to South Haven 45 miles)
Thornapple Trail (Grand Rapids to Vermontville 42 miles)
Hartland Trail (Montcalm county to Gratiot county)
White Pine Trail (Grand Rapids to Cadillac 100 miles)
Musketawa Trail (Marne to Muskegon 25 miles)
Hart-Montague Trail (State Park, Mears, MI 22 miles)
Pere Marquete Rail-Trail (Clare to Midland 30 miles)
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
Canoeing/Kayaking
• Dowagiac River (Dowagiac M-62
bridge to Niles U.S. 31 bridge.
13.5 miles)
• Flat River (Greenville to Lowell.
32 miles)
• Rogue River (Grand road to
rivermouth in Rockford. 21 miles)
• Thornapple River (Charlton
County Park to Airport Road
Canoe Landing in Hastings. 17
miles)
• Lake Michigan coast
• Kalamazoo River (various
sections)
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
Snowshoeing/X-country skiing
• Kalamazoo Nature Center Trails (8 miles)
• Yankee Springs State Recreation Area Trails
(Middleville. 7 miles)
• Pigeon Creek Park Trails (Grand Haven. 10 miles)
• Muskegon State Park Trails (North Muskegon. 5 miles)
• Maybury State Park Trails (Northville. 11 miles)
• Kensington Metropark Trails (Milford. 8.5 miles)
• Huron Meadows Metropark Trails (Brighton. 9 miles)
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
Rock/Ice Climbing
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Local- Climb Kalamazoo
Man-made ice climbing tower
Long weekend trips required to drive to proper places
Emphasis on teaching technical skills and use of
hardware, not technical climbs
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
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Over Winter, Spring and Summer
Breaks
The Smokies
The Redwoods
Shawnee National Forest
Southern sections of the AT
Olympic National Park
The Everglades
Regional trips to start with
– Isle Royal
– The Porcupine Mountains
– Superior Hiking Trail
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
Special Appearances and Events
• Joint cooperation with other departments of K college
– Environmental education/science
– Biology
– Philosophy
• L.A.C. credit
• John Fraser, director/manager of the Arboretum,
• Trip specific “outside” experts for advanced trips and
classes/seminars
• Collaboration with the Mary Jane Underwood Stryker
Institute for Service Learning
– Student-led trips with participants derived from the greater
Kalamazoo, MI community.
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
Specific uses of the Arboretum- TODAY
• Day hikes, weekday trips, introduction to winter
camping (X-country skiing and snowshoeing),
introduction to overnight camping.
• Geocaching
• Nature walks with Biology and Environmental
Science department Professors (L.A.C. Credit)
• Overnights utilizing new campground
• Test site for experimental programs regarding
waste management
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
Camping at the Arboretum
Future Arboretum possibilities
• Pipe Dream: Acquisition of the neighboring
property and house. Use as future KOC
department, rental cabin, KOC house with
students residing (e.g. Carleton’s “CANOE
House,” Skidmore College’s “Outhouse,” St.
Lawrence University's “Outdoor Alternative
Theme House,”)
• High and Low Ropes Course
– Leadership classes/seminars
– Incorporate into Leader’s Training Program/Trip
– Create credit-bearing class through Education,
Business, and/or Psychology Departments
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
Leadership Courses
High
Ropes
KOC
House
Low
Ropes
Trip Leaders
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Co-led trips (with some exceptions)
Member of the council
Attendance at meetings
Certifications– Mandatory: WFA (or greater) and CPR
– Preferable: WAFA, WFR, WEMT, AED, Drivers
trained, WWS/LGT/SWR, AMGA Single Pitch or
Climbing Wall.
– Certs. beyond WFA and CPR are mandatory for
specific trips, i.e. WWS/LGT for water-based trips,
WFR for long/big trips during winter/spring break
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
Additional requirements to lead
• LandSea Leader
– All of the above
– Co-lead with a current
KOC leader
– LEAD YOUR OWN
TRIPS!
• Non-landSea Leader
– All of the above
– Participate in a KOC
leader training trip
– Co-lead with a current
KOC leader (discipline
specific)
– LEAD YOUR OWN
TRIPS!
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
KOC Meetings
• Formal- Beginning of term to summarize previous
term/year, plan present term’s trips/events, any and all
other matters- mandatory for all members of the council.
• Formal- Midpoint of term to check-in.
• Formal- End of term to debrief.
• Informal- Most weekends or every other weekend.
• Informal mid-week movie showings
• All Kalamazoo College students, staff, faculty, and
alumni are invited to meetings. KOC membership
holders are highly encouraged to attend as they have
voting power.
• Currently, we would like to use Trowbridge for gear
storage and The Stryker Center for our office and Hicks
for meetings.
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
Membership
• Open to entire K community (students, staff, faculty,
alumni)
• Single term membership: $8 individual
• Single year membership: $12 individual
• 4 year membership: $35 individual
• Lifetime membership: $200 family (spouse and children
under 18)
• Benefits of members
– Half price on all gear rentals
– Voting power at meetings
– Priority on all club events
• Any member of the council has a free membership for
the duration of their office or trip leading participation.
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
Finance
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Gear rentals
% Student activity fee
Per trip charge (specific to trip aspects)
Membership fees
Donations- $, gear, services
Grants- Kellogg
All gear is for sale at next year’s pro-deal prices
+ 5%-10% (note: this allow us to keep new gear
in stock for no cost.)
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
Stages/Phases
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How do we get from 0 to GREAT?
Right now!
6 months
1 year
5 years
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
Right Now
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Begin THIS winter term
Official formation of KOC
Organize council
Create KOC constitution/bylaws
Start fundraising
Survey student body for interest and trip
ideas.
• Start training leaders
– WINTER CAMPING!!!
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
6 months
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Spring term ’08 and Fall term ’09
Weekend trips: roughly one/month.
Local venues
Lots of fun meetings to generate interest
PUBLICATIONS!
Emphasis on the beginner level trips
Advertise to ’09 LandSea participants
Experiment with major Fall trip for LandSea-ers
and non-LandSea-ers
• Goal of 30 members
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
1 year
• Increase in number, variety, and difficulty
of trips leading up to 1/weekend
• Start purchasing more gear
• Goal of 60 members
• Major internal review:
– Government
– Course of action
– Trips
– Target audience
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
5+ years
• At least one trip every weekend.
• Everything that has been proposed and oh
so much more!!!
• Goal of 250 members
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
References
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DuFresne, Jim, Backpacking in Michigan, 2007
DuFresne, Jim, The Complete Guide to Michigan
Sand Dunes, 2008
Hillstrom, Kevin and Laurie Collier Hillstrom, A
Falcon Guide; Paddling Michigan, 2001
Modrzynski, Mike, A Falcon Guide; Hiking Michigan,
2003
Semion, William, Michigan Winter Trails, 2001
Intercollegiate Outing Club Association (IOCA)
The North Country Trail Association (NCT)
The Superior Hiking Trail Association
American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA)
American Canoe Association (ACA)
http://www.thornappletrail.com/
US News and World Report: America’s Best
Colleges 2009
Van Buren County Community Center
West Michigan Trails and Greenways Coalition
Amherst College Outing Club
Bates College Outing Club
Bowdoin College Outing Club
Brown Outing club
Bucknell Outing Club
Carleton Association of Nature and Outdoor
Enthusiasts
Colby Outing Club
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Colgate Outdoor Education Program
Colorado College Outdoor Recreation Club
Connecticut College Outing Club
Cornell Outing Club
Dartmouth Outing Club
Hamilton College Outing Club
Lafayette Outdoors Club
Lewis and Clark College Outdoors
Macalester College Outing Club
Middlebury College Mountain Club
Mount Holyoke Outing Club
Oberlin College Outing Club
On The Loose 5-college Outing Club
Reed College Outing Club
Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst. Outing Club
Skidmore College Outing Club
Smith College Outdoor Adventure Program
St. Lawrence University Outing Club
Syracuse University Outing Club
University of Richmond Outdoors Club
Vassar College Outing Club
Washington and Lee Outing Club
Wesleyan Outing Club
Whitman College Outdoor Program
Williams College Outing Club
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
A special THANK YOU to…
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Rob Townsend
Tom Breznau
John Fraser
Jess Fowle
Suz Lepley
2008 LandSea leaders
The Wilderness Philosophy House
KOC- Kalamazoo Outing Club
The End