Between attending class and studying, college students spend a majority of their time inside. That’s where the Rhodes Outdoor Organization (ROO), and all of the outdoor events that it hosts, comes in. The organization offers students structured activities that allow them to engage with and learn more about the great outdoors.
On campus, ROO events have included geocaching competitions, outdoor movies, and even marshmallow roasts, while day-trips off campus have featured organized hikes on the trails at Shelby Farms Park. For the more committed students, ROO offers weekend hikes, rock-climbing excursions, and even week-long camping trips during the fall and spring breaks. Students can also enjoy indoor rock climbing hosted by local Memphis gyms. One event that always fills up is the canoe trip, where students soak up the sun while paddling on the calm waters of the Wolf River.
Aside from hosting outdoor events, the organization also rents gear for free. For up to five days, students and faculty can benefit from the use of ROO’s camping gear and rock-climbing equipment. Renting gear and attending ROO’s events is free for students because of the funding ROO secures from the Allocations Board.
With more than 600 students participating in its events, ROO is the largest club of any sort on campus. The club is open to all, and ROO’s activities enable students to overcome age and class-year barriers to meet people they otherwise might not meet. In 2015, the Rhodes Administration recognized ROO’s contributions to campus with the Outstanding Organization Award. For more information, be sure to check out ROO at the Fall SACK Fair or visit their Facebook page.
By Robert McCormick ’18
