ODC Gear Room and Other Bits and Pieces 10-27-25

GOOOOOOOOD MORNIIIIING (8pm) OOOODDDDCCCCCCC

Much in the spirit of Robin Williams, and also my 3rd grade Spanish teacher Señora Dias, it is time for me to grab a chalk and write the weekly announcements on the blackboard of life (otherwise known as The Outlook Email Software).

Knock kno—BOO!!!!! (HALLOWEEN PARTY THIS FRIDAY!!)

Hello friends. It is that time. What time? Time for the littest weekend of the year, that is. We will be hosting a mixer with the climbing club (note for oldheads: it’s not a progressive this year!)

  • Where: 116 Washington Ave (the Shrack)
  • When: 9:30pm
  • What: costumes, obviously

Trip of the Week!!

This trip was lead by Evan Demsey and they drove out to the Northern Neck area and set up mist nets to collect data on the birds they captured, and then released with the help of an experienced bird bander. Later, they went to a nearby park for birding and saw a great blue heron up close! 

Repeat announcements below (census, officer applications)

THE CENSUS AAAAHHH STATISTICS NUMBERS BAR GRAPHS EEEEK

Every year the DEI committee makes a census to figure out what we can do to make the club a more enjoyable, accessible, and inclusive place for everyone! The survey shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes to complete. AND PLEASE FILL THIS OUT!! This is a brand-new form, so even if you’ve filled it out before, do it again!! It’s all anonymous, and the more responses we get, the more comprehensive our understanding of the club!

Link: https://forms.gle/DrULRYANVsCV1W4FA  The form will close November 9th!

Thank ya! – the DEI committee

*also Pietro’s note: seeing survey data is always interesting so if all of the above didn’t convince you, consider how interesting it will be to read comprehensive analysis!

Officer Applications!

WE ARE ACCEPTING OFFICER APPLICATIONS (and remind you that we are constantly on a rolling basis) and we will be reviewing applications for new officers in mid-November.

If you want to be considered for officership before MARCH (!!! i.e. spring semester, far away), then you should apply.

THE DEADLINE (OOOOOHH SCARYYY): November 9

Requirements: you must be a student, you must have lead three trips.

Here is the link to the application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfobZ-LiHGgFmLxqiYHPlW4xZvSCRfckJHXycAqfG_zJu1FnA/viewform

 

Pietro “Oh [expletive] midterms are back”

 

OLD (BUT STILL IMPORTANT) ANNOUNCEMENTS:  

Are YOU on the Trip Leader Listserv? 

G-G-Gear Requests *Airhorn* 

  • We love buying new equipment for you, but we need you to tell us what you want! Do that here. 

#Anonymous Feedback Form 

  • This form is anonymous and can only be viewed by the DEI Chair. 

GEAR RESOURCES AND POLICY 

This Week’s Gear Room Schedule: 

Monday – Parker 11:40 am (540) 840-8024 

Tuesday – Chris 12:30 pm (203) 805-1195 

Wednesday – Allie 5:30 pm (970) 294-8781 

Thursday – Max Ellis 4:30 pm (571) 215-0938 

Friday – Afton 8:15 am (804) 338-3673 

If none of these times work for you, please email the officers 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, hoo rags, patches, stickers, and more at the gear room! 

Climbing: 

  • Afton Hessian (xfu6vq@virginia.edu)  
  • Via Miller (pwa5xq@virginia.edu) 

Caving 

  • Allie Shelhammer (kvb8gz@virginia.edu) 

Biking 

  • Susannah Allen (bay6nh@virginia.edu) 

Hiking/Backpacking 

  • Evelyn Lepsch (mph4ca@virginia.edu) 
  • Chris Blonkvist (cej5pq@virginia.edu) 

Water Sports 

  • John Woodward (uce3pa@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. 

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, 

Pietro and the Officers