According to a recent article from the National Library of Medicine that analyzed 39 different studies, 92% of those studies showed that spending time outdoors significantly improved individuals’ mental, physical and cognitive health. However, with so many responsibilities and deadlines, college students often struggle to find the time in their schedules for outdoor activities. Thankfully, Shawnee State students have access to SSU’s Hiking Club, which strives to not only create opportunities to engage in numerous outdoor activities but also to create a supportive and friendly community. Per its goal of being a welcoming community, the club encourages everyone to join, regardless of fitness level or disability.
While many activities are physical and may be challenging for some people, the club is committed to including everyone. Beyond what the name would suggest, the Hiking Club offers a range of outdoor activities from kayaking and rock-climbing to simply walking along a trail. The club even occasionally hosts indoor events, such as their upcoming trip to a trampoline park scheduled for 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 20.
The Hiking Club typically schedules hikes each weekend, usually meeting at 11 a.m. in the Morris University Center, where members then leave at approximately 11:15 a.m. However, times and types of activities vary greatly, thus regular updates are posted in their Discord server. The club currently has approximately 70 members, providing the opportunity to connect and build relationships outside of club activities. With an average of about 10 members attending any given event, participants may enjoy a more intimate, personal and stress-free environment.
Students interested in joining the Hiking Club can find QR codes on flyers around campus to join the Discord server or follow the link in the club’s Instagram biography at instagram.com/ssu_hiking_club. In the future, club members hope to host bigger activities than those that are currently offered — such as overnight trips — and to create numerous community service/volunteer work opportunities for its members. At its core, the Hiking Club’s main and most important goal is to create a community where everyone feels welcome and can truly enjoy themselves.
