Outdoor Club

Imagine being with a group of friends, taking a trip, capturing breath-taking views of mountains and canyons, challenging yourself to an ultimate rock climbing experience, and at the same time learning how to protect our environment for the future. These are just a few of the activities which members of the A-B Outdoor Club participate in during their time outside of class.

“The A-B Outdoor Club aspires to promote and sponsor healthy, fun, and active events that take advantage of the many natural and cultural resources of West Virginia, while also promoting and fostering environmental awareness and activism on campus. We have been successful in this endeavor and have had many wonderful experiences along the way,” states Tom Berlin, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science and Staff Advisor to the Outdoor Club.

Over the last two years, the Outdoor Club has taken several trips to beautiful areas of West Virginia. Just a few of those trips are mentioned below:

•  Day hikes to Dolly Sods, Olson Fire Tower/Canyon Rim Trail, the High Falls of the Cheat and Spruce Knob
   (the highest point in WV)
•  Several backpacking and camping trips to Otter Creek Wilderness Area
•  Skiing trips to Snowshoe Mountain
•  Spelunking in Stillhouse Cave and Trout Cave
•  Train rides on the Cass Scenic Railroad and the Tygart Flyer
•  Kayak training sessions (with a whitewater trip on the Tygart River to follow soon)
•  Spring picnics at Audra State Park
•  Climbing the Via Ferrata at Nelson Rocks
•  Group outing to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, WV
•  Horseback rides up Seneca Rocks

The group maintains a members-only website where they post pictures and detailed narratives about their trips and share information about upcoming adventures through a message board.

Education is an important part of the Outdoor Club. Recently, several members of the Outdoor Club went to Wheeling, WV to take part in the annual WV Collegiate Environmental Network meeting. Protection of our majestic outdoor opportunities is just as important as enjoying the wild and wonderful environment.

If you would like more information about the Outdoor Club, please contact the admissions office at 1-800-263-1549 or Tom Berlin at berlintj@ab.edu.