Bradley is home to dozens of extracurricular activities and clubs for students to join. But if students want to get off the Hilltop to hike or hammock, there’s only one option: Adventure Club.
According to Andrew Trocki, club president and senior civil engineering major, Adventure Club is designed to lead members to far away locations. “[Getting outside] as often as possible [serves] as a getaway from the routine of school,” Trocki said.
Many of the clubs on Bradley’s campus plan events frequently, but few have the potential to take their members to places they have never been before to explore unknown areas of the country.
The Adventure Club has traveled across the Midwest and will continue to branch out of the region.
“We’ve spent weekends in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri and even down in Texas for a backpacking trip,” Trocki said. “I help plan trips with my executive board, then once we are on the trip, myself as well as the other executive members serve as aids. We are not there to show them around, we are there to explore together.”
One important task of a trip aid is keeping everyone on the right track and making sure everybody is eating to keep their energy up.
“During the eating times, I help prepare the meals and make sure everyone is accounted for,” Trocki said. “But sometimes, general members have more experience with one trip and know more things about it, so I would let them [lead].”
Amanda Freund, club member and senior studio art and social work double major, said she has a handful of Adventure Club trips she looks back on fondly.
“I have attended two weekend trips to Maquoketa Caves in Iowa and Sand Ridge State park in Illinois,” Freund said. “I also attended the Spring Break backpacking trip to Mark Twain National Park, which was fun.”
Freund and Trocki said the club has more unique activities than others.
“Outdoor activities, like backpacking and hiking, provide students with a refreshing change of pace,” Trocki said. “That’s one of the main appeals of the club.”
According to Trocki, the club gives students a great way to break free from the distractions of school.
“I joined Adventure Club because I love to camp, hike and backpack,” he said. “This club was a perfect outlet for me to do all those things while still handling school but having fun in my free time.”
In addition to exploring nature, Freund said Adventure Club is also focused on bringing their members closer together on trips.
“We work as a team, include everyone and take anyone who is willing to adventure with us,” Freund said. “We provide all the gear, knowledge and food. All the students need is to bring themselves, walking shoes and extra clothes.”
Future club adventures will include a trip to Jubilee College State Park, just outside of Peoria, from April 20 to April 22, and a day hike during finals week, when the group will visit nearby Forest Park Nature Preserve.
Those interested in joining can contact Andrew Trocki at atrocki@mail.bradley.edu.
