Payton Burton, Guest Contributor

The modern world is driven by the use of screens and tight schedules, the Adventure Club at Butte College seeks an alternative: the opportunity to go out and experience nature, to be in the moment, and get a little messy.

This club was founded in 2020 and was created out of one simple epiphany: there are tons of other colleges with exciting outdoor programs, but Butte College didn’t have one. This is what began the change.

“Every college student should have the opportunity to experience all that the great outdoors have to offer: hiking, camping, white-water rafting, sea kayaking, snowshoeing,” said Tommy Cox, the club representative. “At the time, there was no outdoor program at Butte College. Hence, the Adventure Club was born.”

Ever since, the club had gradually picked up speed, literally and figuratively. One memorable journey worth noting was a camping and hiking trip to Yosemite National Park in May of 2022.

“For several students, it was their first time ever visiting Yosemite—and for one, the first in their family to visit a national park,” Tommy shared. “The waterfalls were amazing, and the hiking was difficult, but everyone kept putting one foot in front of the other until they reached Nevada Falls.”

This club isn’t just for experienced hikers. With a very welcoming ethos, they have a philosophy to “hike your own hike” that encourages people to join of all experience degrees. Whether it’s their first camping trip or battling high level white-water rapids, the Adventure Club’s goal is to help others build a strong relationship with the outdoors.

As with any club, not everything or every trip in this case, goes as planned. Last Spring, the club had planned a sea kayaking trip in Tomales Bay, only to be halted by a “sour storm”. It was unsafe to kayak in the rough waters, but that didn’t stop the members from having fun. “While this was unexpected, the club still had a great time on this trip and got to explore Tomales Bay and Point Reyes National Seashore,” Tommy claimed.

These adventures curated by the club are made possible by a creative use of resources and the community’s support. The club is able to raise funds by participating in events on campus. This includes the pumpkin decorating contest won two years in a row. Further, submitted proposals to the Club Council and Associated Students Government have helped the Adventure Club continue these wonderful opportunities.

Looking forward, club members can anticipate the return to Yosemite National Park at the end of April, a trip to come back after three years. Beyond this, the vision for this club grows. The member’s are hoping to one day own all of its own outdoor gear. From tents to snow shoes, the club will make efforts to expand their accessibility to students who may not have these resources.

At its core, the Adventure Club is so much more than the next activity. It’s about community, discovery, and the willpower to get out there. “Whether it is the first time white-water rafting or first time camping in the woods, we try to provide opportunities for each and every student to develop their own relationship with nature.”

Because sometimes, the best experience and journey starts with one step forward.