UC Davis’ Outdoor Crew helps students explore the outdoors, get back into nature

The on and off-campus club gives students social and emotional benefits

By EMME DUNNING — features@theaggie.org

College provides many new and unexplored opportunities for undergraduate students. From dorm life to new classes to getting to know the layout of downtown, there are endless ways to immerse yourself into the UC Davis college experience. Despite these opportunities, finding ways to explore the outdoors, particularly in a small college town like ours, can feel daunting and inaccessible.

Outdoor Crew, commonly referred to as ODC, hopes to provide all students a solution to this lack of access. The student-run club aims to help foster an inclusive environment centered around outdoor activities through hikes, camping trips, socials and more for over 450 current members.

Kelly Kankowski, a fourth-year design major and the current membership director of Outdoor Crew, believes that the club can help provide an accessible way to explore the outdoors.

“I think it’s a really great way for people to get outside,” Kankowski said. “There’s so much in California and in our surrounding area that is so beautiful and wonderful and so different from Davis, and we really want to provide the opportunity for people to explore the outdoors.”

Kankowski also stressed that all skill and experience levels are welcome in Outdoor Crew.

“The club environment is very welcoming and open to anyone that has any sort of experience or just wants to be outdoors, whether they love camping and hiking or have never done it before,” Kankowski said. “[To] anyone that has any inkling to explore the outdoors, I would definitely recommend joining.”

This sentiment is reflected in the club’s activities, which range in difficulty from beginner to advanced, and offer a wide variety of ways to explore the outdoors.

Gina Stevens, a fourth-year clinical nutrition major, has always been a proponent of the outdoors. Growing up camping and hiking with family, joining Outdoor Crew was a natural next step for Stevens when she came to Davis.

“Every time I went on a hike, I’d make a new friend,” Stevens said. “I get to meet people who are interested in the same thing I am, and it was just really fun and enriching.”

Stevens also understands that a large club like Outdoor Crew might feel intimidating but insists that there’s no need to worry.

“Joining a new club in a new school is always [going to] feel a little bit intimidating,” Stevens said. “Know that when you surround yourself with people who generally really like to go outside and experience nature and hike and be social, you’re probably gonna get a really good match of people. Everyone else who joined is also looking to make connections and make friends and meet people in that realm — you’re not the only one.”

Emmeline Thomsen, a fourth-year design and sociology major, has worked hard to ensure Outdoor Club is inclusive and fun for all. Thomsen is the co-president of Outdoor Crew along with Patrick Farrell and has been a member of Outdoor Crew since her first year at UC Davis.

“I’ve met some of my closest friends there,” Thomsen said. “We really want everyone to be able to hang out, be friends and promote inclusion.”

While exploring the outdoors, conditions can be unpredictable. Outdoor Crew experienced this unpredictability first hand last year when they faced unexpected snow on a  Yosemite camping trip. Despite the challenges it presented, Thomsen said that the situation brought the club closer together.

“It was super challenging, but it was super cool to see how all the officers responded,” Thomsen said. “We all work together super well so it was really cool having a team all support each other. All the officers were just amazing and super considerate and on top of everything, and all the members were super understanding and open.”

In addition to providing social connection and physical activity, Outdoor Crew also strives to improve mental health through their activities.

Harrison Oseguera, a fourth-year Chicano studies and psychology double major as well as the current planning officer for Outdoor Crew, said he felt his mentality change while in Outdoor Crew.

“My experience with Outdoor Crew has been very life changing,” Oseguera said. “It’s an environment of positivity.”

Oseguera also noted that going outdoors can teach students important lessons outside of the classroom.

“It’s a great opportunity to ground yourself,” Oseguera said. “In an environment so consumed in academic growth, it’s important to check back in with yourself and grow as an individual and grow in your relationship with nature.”

Although new membership registration has ended for the fall quarter, it will reopen at the beginning of winter quarter — just in time for snowshoeing season. In the meantime, to stay updated about general meetings and membership information, feel free to follow Outdoor Crew on instagram, @outdoorcrewdavis.

Written by: Emme Dunning — features@theaggie.org