The Common Adventurer

All outdoor trips are based on the "Common Adventurer" philosophy which holds that the foremost goal of any common adventurer is to achieve an enjoyable and worthwhile experience while displaying the greatest respect for the natural environment.

The common adventurer, due to the varying degrees of ability of each participant, can best achieve this goal by becoming part of a common group effort. In the spirit of this effort, all decisions are consensus group decisions and leaders emerge as situations arise. Thus one can see that trip coordinator is a well chosen title. Coordinators coordinate; they do not command; the group leads.

It is our belief that group effort results in a situtation where the teaching and learning of new skills make the common adventurer's goals more fulfilling, and the adventurer much safer than would otherwise be possible. Our concern with safety should not be under emphasized. All trips are potentially dangerous since they take place in an uncontrolled, outdoor environment. As a "common adventurer," you must accept the risk and assume full responsibility for your safety and the safety of the group. The safety of the GROUP takes precedent over the individual's perceived needs.

Ethics

Although our outdoor experiences are recreational, each one can become a learning experience for beginners as well as for experienced persons. While enjoying ourselves and learning about the outdoors, we should always strive to minimize our impact on the environment as much as possible. After all, we are the visitors.

Co-op Adventures

Outdoor Recreation is working with other university programs to offer off-campus outings to the community. Our goal is to expand our horizons in the outdoors and experience adventure with other university groups. If you are interested in these or other adventures, come by the Outdoor Recreation Office (174, WRC).