GEAR ROOMS AND OTHER BITS | ODC NEWSLETTER 10/20/24

Hello my favorite people,

It has been such a long time since I’ve written, and I’ve missed you all dearly. I hope these past couple of weeks have been so good, and I hope you survived without your normal weekly ODC newsletter (I’m sure it was probably a big struggle for most of you- but I’m proud of you for getting through it).

Anywho, I currently have a headache, and I find it rude that it wont go away. I wish I could do an interpretive dance to my body to make it stop. If only. Also, I just found out my apple was mealy. Gosh darn it harris teeter. Sigh, okay, I must start all of my homework now and my head must fight through the blue light.

All in all, I’m so determined that this is going to be one of the best fall weeks of them all.

-Charlotte “currently eating butternut squash soup for redemption of my apple” Maxwell

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Trees and Sprouts Bonfire this Thursday (10/24) @8pm

  • Did you recently just become matched with a tree or sprout and now want to meet your amazing new ecosystem? Come to the bonfire this Thursday for some bonding time!
  • Keep a lookout for more information and refer back to this announcement for more trees and sprouts information (trees- make sure to send your sprout a little email/text if you haven’t already)!

Get Hype Because the First ODC Clothing Swap of the Year is Next Sunday (10/27) from 4:00 – 5:00 PM

  • Do you have any old clothes that you’re looking to get rid of? Do you want some new swag from the coolest dressing club at UVA?? If so, pop out to our first clothing swap of the year next Sunday at the Shrack (116 Washington Ave). Remember… Your trash can easily be someones treasure 😉

New Officer Application is Live!

  • Want to be a part of the well-oiled machine that makes ODC go ‘round??? Do you have ideas of how ODC could improve? Are you feeling inspired to take a greater role of leadership in the club? If so, you should apply at this link to be an officer!!
  • Refer back to this announcement for more information!

Want to Come to NRGE??

  • NRGE  is a choose-your-own-adventure megatrip that ODC puts together to one of the best outdoor recreation destinations in the nation and our country’s newest national park, THE NEW RIVER GORGE! The date is set for Fri November 8th – Sun November 10th.
  • Fill out this form to post trips for NRGE!
  • Also, refer to this announcement and the NRGE main carpool adventure for more info.

ODC FALL PHOTO CONTEST IS STILL GOING

  • Do you have any epic photos from an ODC trip over fall break?? Or, has the fall beauty on your ODC trips been too beautiful not to share?? Upload your pics HERE for a chance at GLORY and a feature in THE SCRAWL!!!
  • I’ve still only seen a fews submissions so far. DO IT. DO IT. DO IT. I want to see all the beauty you’ve captured. It makes me so happy. And remember- you can submit as many times as you’d like:)

Consider a Wilderness First Responder Course for J-term – THERE’S STILL TIME!!

  • If you have a wee inkling of interest in taking a Wilderness First Responder course over J-term (an amazing opportunity and can be super affordable compared to other WFA’s) FILL OUT THIS FORM (not binding)(but do it ASAP pls) develop wilderness medicine skills! respond to injuries, illnesses, and accidents in the wild! improvise solutions in crisis! YEEHAW

Officer Meeting Notes

  • Here are the notes from our officer meeting today(10/20). I wrote them just for you, take a peak if you dare.

 

OLDER (BUT STILL FAIRLY NEW AND VERY IMPORTANT) ANNOUNCEMENTS

Gear Requests

  • If you’d like to see any new items in the gear room, FILL OUT THIS FORM!
  • “it’s like christmas”- john

Merch!!

  • We have been working on this years ODC T-shirt design (and some other super, awesome, amazing merch pieces), and a merch form will be coming out soon. I’m so excited tehehe!!

Do you have any general comments, concerns, or recommendations about Outdoors Club?

  • If so, feel free to leave feedback here. This form is anonymous and only viewable by the DEI Chair.

BRING BACK YOUR GEAR!

  • Did you borrow something for the Spring or Summer and forget to bring it back? Well, here’s your opportunity to return your club gear to a gear room this week or email the officers (outdoors-officers@virginia.edu) to schedule a return time. Before we hunt you down


Are YOU in the GroupMe?

Checkout these ODC member Discounts!

  • We now have a 40% off code to use on as many purchases as you want from Nature Buff! Use code UVA40 on your next purchase.
  • We have an epic one-use per person promo code with Bedrock Sandals for 20% off online purchases. Use the code “UVAOUTDOOR” and twin with so many ODC members!
  • We have a 40% off code for all of HIMALI, a super cool mountain-wear brand! Check them out and use the code UVASendIt40.
  • Also, anyone who is a member of this lovely club can get 10% off at High Tor Gear Exchange & Endeavor Cycles here in Charlottesville!

 

GEAR RESOURCES AND POLICY 

Finalized Gear Room Schedule for the Semester:

Monday @ 12:30 pm — John Woodward (804-944-1929)

Tuesday @ 7:00 pm — Parker Sims (540-840-8024)

Wednesday @ 3:30 pm — Max Titov (703-862-7391)

Thursday @ 9:30 am — Max St. Clair (617-780-1129)

Friday @ 10:30 am — Anusha (571- 455-0721)

(There’s NO gear room next Monday(10/14) and Tuesday(10/15))

If none of these times work for you, please email the officers at outdoors-officers@virginia.edu at least 24 hours in advance to schedule a separate time to be let into the gear room. Please only do this if you really can’t make the gear room times, not just because you don’t feel like it or didn’t plan ahead.

You can stop by the gear room to check out or return gear and be reimbursed at any of the times listed above! Officers remain at the gear room only for as long as people are checking in/out gear (usually about 20-25 minutes). You may also purchase ODC t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, patches, stickers, and more at the gear room!

MISC. GEAR INFO:

  • Before returning gear, refer to the GEAR CLEANING DOC!
    • If you return damaged, dirty, or incomplete gear, you will jeopardize your ability to check out gear in the future. It is your responsibility to return your gear in the condition you received it.
  • Please refer to our reimbursement policy here.
  • You can check our gear inventory here.
  • Want to check out water sports gear or a mountain bike?
    • Please email the officers at outdoors-officers@virginia.edu. They are stored at separate locations. We ask that you give at least 24 hours notice.
  • Gear is due one week from when it is checked out unless renewed by an officer at a gear room. Keeping gear past its due date is a UVA Honor Offense. Club trips have priority access to gear.

Directions to the Gear Room:

  • Start at Echols Dorm → go right on McCormick → turn right on Alderman Rd → take a left on Leake Drive → walk to the end of the road (there are several buildings and parking on either side) → pass a picnic table on the right → keep going! → walk straight to the first big maintenance building directly ahead → walk behind the building on the left side (if it feels like you maybe shouldn’t be there, you’re in the right place) → walk up the stairs → End: knock on the door!
  • Map to Gear Room

  

TRIP RESOURCES AND REMINDERS

Leading Trips:

To become a trip leader, thoroughly read the  Trip Leader Manual (resources page of the website) and send the officers an email (outdoors-officers@virginia.edu) letting them know you have done so. They will then activate you on the website! Alternatively, come to a Trip Leader Workshop, led by the officers several times each semester and posted on the website. Keep a lookout for these in outlook- there will be many to come!

As a reminder, climbing, caving, mountain biking, and whitewater trips have special rules to lead! To learn more about types of trips and to become an approved trip leader for the sports listed above, feel free to contact the club’s Sport Advisors.

  • Climbing:
    • Cam Burke – twz5mz@virginia.edu
    • Ella Mortimer – rzq9wc@virginia.edu
  • Caving
    • Allie Shelhammer – kvb8gz@virginia.edu
    • Lillie Ehrmentraut – ubc2ga@virginia.edu
  • Biking
    • Max Titov – uhg2nv@virginia.edu
    • Susannah Allen – bay6nh@virginia.edu
  • Hiking/Backpacking
    • Carson Hopwood – mxz2fc@virginia.edu
    • Ed Aten- eba4ksx@virginia.edu
  • Water Sports 
    • John Woodward – uce3pa@virginia.edu
    • Will Lankford – xsc9gq@virginia.edu

If you have questions about how to lead trips, refer to the Leading Trips pages under Resources on the club website.

Want to lead a trip for an under-represented group in the outdoors? Lead an  Affinity Trip! See the link for details and guidelines.

Absences:

  • Please be aware that if you are joined on a trip, and you do not show up, or you drop out at the last minute, you are depriving another member of a spot on that trip.
  • No-shows and last-minute absences not only hurt trip attendance, but they also make logistics more complicated.
  • If a member is reported for two absences, trip leaders are permitted to take this into account when moving people off wait lists.

Sexual Harassment and Equity Reporting:

  • Outdoors at UVA is committed to providing a safe and welcoming space for everyone to enjoy the outdoors. If you feel you or another have experienced misconduct at the hands of another club member, please report it here. This is including but not limited to misconduct regarding sexuality (including sexual harassment), gender, race, ethnicity, ability, etc.
  • Outdoors at UVA’s Harassment, Discrimination, and Sexual Misconduct policy can be found here. Our club Code of Conduct can be found here.

 

ADVENTURE(s) OF THE WEEK!!

Shout out to Kyle’s Fall Break Backpacking Trip to Dolly Sods!

From Kyle: “Three days, 23 miles, and some unforgettable moments in Dolly Sods, WV!! We trekked through open meadows, passed through all kinds of forests, and tackled a tricky-but-fun off-trail rock scramble. The second night hit us with some cold, windy weather, but good food, campfire hangs, and great company made it all worth it. Already excited for the next adventure! đŸ„ŸđŸ•ïžđŸ‚”

How to be featured:

  • Each week we’ll feature a different adventure that happened within the previous 7 days. To be featured, send a couple of pictures of you and your pals adventurin’ and a little blurb about what you did to us (outdoors-officers@virginia.edu) or to my (Charlotte’s) number (540-816-6429)!
  • We’re stoked to see what y’all get up to, but please do not take pictures of people without their consent (and don’t submit them to us without their consent).
  • Try and submit pictures as .jpeg files if possible! (not .heic live photos!) 

 

ET CETERA.

 

Social Media:

FB: (https://www.facebook.com/groups/OutdoorsAtUVA/)

Insta: (https://www.instagram.com/uvaoutdoors/)

GroupMe: (https://groupme.com/join_group/68250538/0HmzE2tL)

 

Peace, love, & dirt,

Charlotte and the officers