PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The University of Maine at Presque Isle Outing Club is offering a series of spring adventures and activities for campus and community members to enjoy, including skiing, snowboarding, overnight camping, snowshoeing, and outdoor rock climbing.
To kick off the season, the club offered a cross-country skiing outing at the Nordic Heritage Center on Jan. 22, 2016 and participated in the Gentile Hall 10-year anniversary celebration Feb. 6, and from Feb. 11-14, 2016 hosted a three-night trip to the Quebec Winter Carnival.
Many more events are planned. On Saturday, Feb. 27, from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., the club will go on a downhill skiing and snowboarding adventure at Bigrock Mountain in Mars Hill. UMPI students, faculty and staff with ID will pay $10 for a lift ticket. Additional rental fees may apply for those renting Bigrock equipment. Free transportation will be provided. Those interested should sign up no later than Friday, Feb. 26 by 3 p.m.
The club will host a Cabin in the Woods Weekend from Friday, March 4-Sunday, March 6 featuring winter camping and snowshoeing in the heart of the western mountains of Maine, with the chance to explore trails by snowshoe and then snuggle up near the woodstove of the off-the-grid camp in Kingfield. No experience is required. The trip includes transportation, equipment rental (snowshoes), food and lodging. Cost is $30 for UMPI students and $100 for non-students.
The trip departs March 4 at 10 a.m. Those interested should sign up no later than Friday, Feb. 26 by 3 p.m.
On Sunday, March 13, the club will host a snowshoeing event at Aroostook State Park from 1-4 p.m. A guide, transportation and equipment are included, all for free. No experience is required. Sign up no later than Friday, March 11 by 3 p.m.
From Friday, April 15, to Sunday, April 17, the club will attend the Association for Experiential Education Northeast Regional Conference in Becket, Mass. Attendees enjoy a fun, interactive conference and, along the way, learn new skills in education, facilitation and leadership. The fee for UMPI students is $75; $425 for non-students. The trip departs April 15 at 8 a.m. and includes transportation, lodging, food and conference registration fees. Participants should sign up no later than Friday, Feb. 26 by 3 p.m.
The club will take to the cliffs with an outdoor rock climbing trip to Acadia National Park on Saturday, May 7. No experience is required but organizers ask that beginner climbers spend some time at the indoor rock wall at Gentile Hall to practice some of the basic skills necessary for the day trip. Cost is $30 for UMPI students and $45 for non-students. The trip includes transportation, equipment, guide services and snacks. The rain date for the trip is Sunday, May 8. Participants should sign up no later than Wednesday, May 4 by 3 p.m.
For more information or to sign up for any of these events, contact Amanda Baker at amanda.g.baker@maine.edu or call 768-9401. The UMPI Outing Club office is located in Gentile Hall.
