Joanna Orban

Copy Editor 

The area surrounding the Idaho State University Pocatello campus is one that encourages outdoor recreational activities. Whether that be rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking or white-water rafting, students in Pocatello can enjoy many outdoor activities in addition to their classes. The Outdoor Adventure Center (OAC) is the university’s liaison between students and these outdoor activities.

The OAC has been on campus for 50 years, and according to its director, Justin Dayley, “Brings an opportunity for students here at Idaho State University to be able to come in and appreciate the area. We have the ability to make that happen.”

As with many other offices, the OAC has faced challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of many changes implemented by the OAC is that activities are more local than they normally would be. This is due to the fact that the OAC cannot transport students in its vans as that would be a violation of COVID-19 social distancing rules. This means that students have to transport themselves to the locations which can cause a barrier due to the price of gasoline and the fact that some students may not have access to a personal vehicle. “This places a massive barrier up,” said Dayley. “It inhibits the students.”

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the OAC was working closely with the Office of Student Affairs to allow every ISU student to go on one OAC adventure trip for free. “The response was unreal,” said Dayley. “We started seeing different students, students that we otherwise wouldn’t have seen.” After COVID-19 became more rampant, nearly a year ago, many things changed.

As the OAC has not been able to transport students and is only doing trips that are closer to Pocatello, students can currently go on more than one trip for free through the center this semester. The Associated Students of Idaho State University (ASISU) is also working closely with Dayley to implement more free trips throughout the coming school year. “Any opportunity that we have to be able to more effectively provide equal access to all students at ISU is something we’d love to participate in,” said Dayley.

Another facet of the OAC is its equipment rental. Students, staff and community members can utilize the equipment rental to rent outdoor equipment including everything from tents and backpacks to wet suits and paddleboards. This can be done by visiting the office.

The OAC also has a program called CW HOG. This program offers activities for people with disabilities. The contact person is Bob Ellis.

On its website, www.isu.edu/outdoor/ the OAC has a Google Calendar link with all information regarding its upcoming events. Spread throughout the rest of March and April some of these events include a day hike at Massacre Rocks, a backpacking workshop, a climbing clinic, a climbing day also at Massacre Rock and a bike tour at Yellowstone National Park. Additional events can be found on the aforementioned calendar. Students must sign up for all events in advance, using the calendar or by calling the OAC at (208) 282-3912. “We’ve tried to come up with a decent selection of activities that allow for different interests and for different time-level commitments,” said Dayley. “We just want to make sure that any student whether they want to come play outside or do other activities, that it isn’t restricted here at ISU. Everybody should get to try everything,” said Dayley.