NU Student Activities help students find exciting experiences in Vermont and surrounding areas

By Scott Craven
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

In an effort to bring the great outdoors of Vermont to the students at Norwich, the university Activities Council has created a new program called the Green Mountain Experience. Already underway, the NUAC (Norwich University Activities Council) will continue sponsoring events every Sunday throughout the entire year.

The planned activities include rock climbing, white water rafting, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, horseback riding, fly fishing, hiking, camping, orienteering, ice climbing, snow shoeing, skiing, biking, golf, and a wilderness trip which will include turkey hunting, archery, and a hunter safety course.

The goal of GME (Green Mountain Experience) is to encourage the Norwich community to learn the skills necessary to enjoy and safely participate in outdoor adventure activities.

"Being an old health/physical education/recreation major, myself, I think it's important for students who come to Norwich to take advantage of our environment," said Dr. Chandler Stowell, director of student activities, intramurals & recreational sports. To achieve this goal, Stowell has put together a series of experiences that will expose the students to the outdoors.

"What we're trying to do is get the kids outdoors and get them involved with the environment and some activities that would be of interest to them," Stowell said.

Also one of the originators of this program, Danielle Goodwin, 21, a senior electrical engineering major from Wibraham, Mass., said, "the motivation behind this program is to promote a fun, safe environment for people to participate in extracurricular activities."

According to Goodwin, the GME is also an attempt to revive the spirit of the NU BOUND program, which, "has lost its direction and hasn't been achieving its full purpose over the past few years. It wasn't going year round," Goodwin said.

Also involved with student activities and the GME is Jennifer Hasenfus, the international student advisor at Norwich. Originally from Massachusetts, Hasenfus has lived in Vermont the past few years and is excited about participating in these activities, herself.

"People travel thousands of miles to visit Vermont, and here we are in the heart of it saying there's nothing to do," Hasenfus said. "[GME] will give students the opportunity to experience all sorts of activities that they normally wouldn't be exposed to, and hopefully they will continue doing them the rest of their lives."

According to Goodwin, there are "a ton" of things to do in Vermont; you just have to look for them.

"We've already done the looking for you, and we want everyone to have the chance to participate in the Green Mountain Experience that Vermont has to offer," Goodwin said.

According to Stowell, "freshmen in the corps cannot leave on weekends; however, what we are finding is that more upperclassman are getting involved, both corps and civilian."

A large number of professors are participating and volunteering their services, as well.

"The faculty and staff at Norwich are the best resources we have," said Hasenfus. "And many of them are experts outside of the classroom."

Raised in Rutland, Vt., Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice James E. Ryan has been volunteering his time and knowledge as a favor to the students. "I have always told myself that when I have the time and inclination, I will get some students involved in fly-fishing," said Ryan.

A native to the land, Ryan has been an avid fisherman for more than 40 years, now, and says that he enjoys that activity more than any other. Ryan did not hesitate to help out with the program and has already taken a few students out locally to teach them the waters and techniques of fly-fishing. He is also an instructor for BOW (Becoming an Outdoor Woman), which is a nationally recognized fish and wildlife clinic held annually in Vermont.

The NUAC is looking for faculty and staff to get involved. They are looking for trip leaders, organizers, transportation help, and those who want to participate. If you are interested, please contact Chan Stowell in student activities at 802.485.2120. You can also check out the GME on the Norwich portal by entering "CLiC" and going to "Campus Life."

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