Outdoor Rec Club

Bringing the club back

Oregon is home to a wide variety of natural wonders — old growth trees, cascading waterfalls, towering mountains, a range of lakes and of course, the Pacific Ocean. Thanks to the newly restarted Outdoor Rec Club, one of Linfield's many clubs, students are exploring these and more through group adventures and activities.

The Outdoor Rec Club has a very active history at Linfield. The group took excursions to Drift Creek Falls, rock climbing at The Circuit Gym and floating the Tualatin River. However, the effects of COVID-19 put a strain on the club. It eventually became inactive due to dropping attendance. Earlier this year, however, two current students decided to bring it back.

Maggie Berry ’25 from Albany and Reese Jones ’26 from Lake Forest Park, Washington, first discussed reinvigorating the club during a January Term course in Patagonia.

“As our trip started to end, we thought about how much we were going to miss hiking long miles every day and the freedom involved,” Reese said. “I wanted to help build the bridge between my peers and the outdoors.”

A love for the outdoors

Both Maggie and Reese grew up loving the outdoors. Reese spent a lot of time outside with her family.

“My mom, Sandy, loves the outdoors. Even though she is allergic to most things that graze her legs, she would take our family hiking and camping with her when we were all little,” Reese said. “Since I grew up around nature, I have found a lot of peace in it. I have also become passionate about conservation and our role as stewards of the earth.”

The same can be said for Maggie, who enjoys hiking, backpacking, skiing and biking.

“While I spent a lot of time outdoors, I hope that doesn’t deter people who didn’t grow up outside. Reese and I truly want anyone who is interested to join the Outdoor Rec Club,” Maggie said. “We hope setting up the Outdoor Rec Club makes things like hiking and just getting off campus much more accessible for all students.”

Getting involved and getting outside

Throughout the spring semester, the club organized two hikes. With Linfield’s McMinnville campus only an hour from the Oregon Coast, as well as a couple of hours from Mount Hood , it is an easy jumping off spot for a variety of activities.

“The first trip was to Miller Woods, which was a laid-back hike just about 15 or 20 minutes from campus,” Maggie said. “Then our second trip was hiking God's Thumb on the coast. It was super beautiful and fun.”

Although the school year is coming to an end, the club will have one more get-together.

“We are planning a smaller activity around finals week — just to have a de-stressor if our peers need it,” Reese said. “We will probably host a lawn day to get out, throw a frisbee and reconnect before exams.”

And when students return in the fall, participants can expect activities to enjoy the summer heat.

“We are planning for some on-water adventures such as paddle boarding or kayaking,” Reese said. “Additionally, I would like to go on hikes in the fall as well, and some indoor activities, like rock-climbing, when the weather starts to turn.”

Learn more about the Outdoor Rec Club on their Instagram @outdoorrec_linfield