by Chelsea Thornton (Staff Writer)
Early in October, a group of UFV students met on campus early Saturday morning, met up with their carpool and drove to Chilliwack in search of Lindeman Lake and Greendrop Lake. In the mountains behind Chilliwack they found the lakes and the accompanying views. A few brave souls even found a bathing spot: three hikers stripped down to their underwear and jumped into the lake. This was the first SOLAR event of the year.
SOLAR stands for Student Outdoor Life and Recreation – the UFV club that gets students off campus and outside. The club organizes outdoor events of all kinds. Some activities that the club has organized in the past are canoeing, hiking, surfing in Tofino, campfires and barbeques. Every event is geared to people of all experience levels, and each event attracts new people; so you can’t use your inexperience or shyness as an excuse to miss the next SOLAR event!
The SOLAR club’s goal for this year is to have a minimum of two events every month. On Friday October 29th, they will be going to Reaper’s Haunted House and Corn Maze. In November, plans are in the works for an excursion to the Project Climbing Gym for rock climbing, as well as an on-campus event like capture the flag, so that students can get a taste of what SOLAR is all about without leaving the convenience of campus.
SOLAR has winter covered as well: with meteorologists predicting a particularly snowy season, the club’s plans for snowshoeing in Manning, as well as a ski and snowboard trip to a yet-to-be-determined location are well-timed.
SOLAR is the kind of club that allows you flexibility: you determine your level of commitment and pick and choose the events that you want. For more information about the club, check out their Facebook page, Student Outdoor Life and Recreation, email them at solar@ufv.ca or visit their webpage at http://www.ufv.ca/StudentLife/CampusRec/Student_Outdoor_Life_and_Recreation.htm. Also, watch out for posters on campus advertising upcoming SOLAR events.
