Marist’s Outing Club Gets Students Into The Great Outdoors

Trip leaders Kat Christy '24 and Avalon Johnson '24 take a group photo on Overlook Mountain. Photo by Kat Christy '24

Nestled within the scenic Hudson River Valley, Marist College students have plentiful opportunities to venture out into the wilderness. The school offers students occasional outdoor trips, such as skiing at Belleayre Mountain or hiking at the on-campus nature preserve Fern Tor, but students don’t always have the chance to enjoy nature in a social setting. 

The Marist Outing Club, led by President Avalon Johnson ‘24, organizes hiking trips for any Marist students, faculty or alums looking to explore the local region — with training and equipment provided. On Feb. 11, a select few club members went on a trial hike to Overlook Mountain in Woodstock, New York, and everyone considered it a great success. 

“I think a lot of people didn’t know each other, but by the end of it, people were definitely chatting and getting to form new relationships,” said Johnson. 

Trip leaders Kat Christy '24 and Avalon Johnson '24 and 13 Outing Club student members take a group photo on Overlook Mountain. Photo by Kat Christy '24

“The trip was fantastic, and my favorite part was the ruins we encountered towards the top of the trail,” said A.J. Gambino ‘26. “The trip was well run by the leaders, and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone interested in hiking.” 

The hike, which spanned five miles, took the participants through the snowy Catskill Mountains, encountering historical landmarks and picturesque views along the way. 

“I thought the trip was awesome,” said Kristen Fitzgibbon ‘26. “My favorite part was probably climbing the fire tower, which gave a great view of the Hudson Valley.” 

Currently in the process of being fully chartered by the Student Government Association, the Outing Club has encountered a challenging start on the path to becoming a complete club. 

“In the fall of 2021, we applied [to become] a new club. The next fall, we were working with the Club Affairs on our budget, and that’s where we started hitting more barriers,” said Johnson. She also emphasized the support she has received from everyone involved. 

“With the nature of our club, we wanted to make sure everyone had access. Whether it’s their first time going on a camping, hiking, backpacking trip or their millionth time, we wanted to make sure everyone had equal access to it,” said Johnson. “That means providing at least basic stuff for the trips, so our budget is quite big.” 

Besides funding for the necessary gear, securing transportation was also of high importance.

Johnson’s goal is to make the Outing Club centered around the idea of students leading students, which means having students be able to drive to specified trip locations.

“There were a lot of policies and insurance things that needed to be checked in on. But finally, we went on our first trial trip, and I think once the [SGA] sees that we are successful, we’ll work towards getting fully chartered,” said Johnson.

Another factor to account for is that a trip leader can’t just be any student — they must be both fully trained and outdoor certified. According to Johnson, trip leaders are trained by faculty advisor Dr. Zion Klos, associate professor of environmental science. Once certified, trip leaders are allowed to train new leaders. They are required to keep up with emergency certifications, such as wilderness first-aid.

Students reach the peak of Overlook Mountain to take in the views of the Hudson Valley. Photo by Kat Christy '24

“The training process for leaders is modeled after similar college outing programs around the country and entails introduction to group leadership, navigation, camp setup, stove safety, gear organization and crisis management, among many other outdoor group leadership things,” said Klos.

As for the prospects of the Outing Club, Johnson is excited to plan additional trips that involve more than just hiking, from backcountry skiing to canoeing or rafting. Students who have not participated in many outdoor activities before can choose the trips that best fit their skillset. And with all the sights the Hudson Valley has to offer, Johnson believes Marist students should be excited about the chance to set out and explore it for themselves.

“There are so many places close to campus — so many outdoor activities that you can get to from here,” said Johnson. “I think a lot of students get stuck in the Marist bubble and don’t get to experience those activities. We want to be able to bring that to them.”