As another step in reviving its organization, the Backpacking Club recently held a fundraiser to collect extra resources for its trips.
Last Friday and Saturday, members offered a cookie delivery service to dorms and certain off-campus locations. According to club president, Michael Chang, the fundraiser went very well.
“We were surprised by the support that campus provided for [the fundraiser],” club secretary Amanda Fuller said.
The money from the fundraiser will go toward club trips and equipment expenses, in addition to the money they received from Club Sports Budget Review Committee. Two big trips are planned in April, one to Devil’s Lake, Wisconsin and another to Starved Rock.
“I think being able to pair outdoors with our hobbies is something that backpacking really provides for a lot of our members,” senior mechanical engineering major Chang said.
Potential members don’t have to be experienced campers or have any hiking experience at all.
“We are really open to inviting all members of all skills to our club,” Chang said. “It’s really cool because we do have all of these experienced members, but we also have those people who haven’t been camping before. We had someone who had never slept in a tent before coming with us, and she loved it and is coming back and is involved in the club now, too”
Members are also willing to share equipment among the club, helping others who don’t have as much gear.
“We’re just looking to expand as many things as possible because a lot of clubs on campus provide the opportunity to learn something new or meet new people,” Chang said. “Going on these trips with these students you’re bonding with them over two nights: camping, hiking, eating, shivering in the cold.”
According to Chang, the club hopes to expand and establish its presence on campus. The club holds meetings every two weeks.
“Going into this next semester our goal is to provide affordable trips for students on Bradley’s campus so that we can get everyone involved in going outdoors,” Fuller said. “It’s something that isn’t really heavily offered here at Bradley and we want to bring that aspect to the University.”
Looking into the future, the Backpacking Club wants to focus on offering affordable trips to students and cementing trip dates for better advertising opportunities.
