Campus organizations provide students with entertainment
By Megan Helgeson, Assistant Campus Life Editor
November 1, 2007 | 7:23 p.m.
College students who do not get involved in extracurricular activities often give the excuse that there are none. Ohio University’s 300 plus student organizations, which include everything from athletics to dancing, comedy to meditation, prove those students wrong.
Mountains vs. living room
If seven weeks of sitting at home during winter break sounds dull, consider taking a week-long vacation to ski down the snowy mountainsides of Colorado. Snowcats, OU’s ski and snowboard club, is traveling to Crested Butte, Colorado, December 8-16 for outdoor fun. Everyone is encouraged to come. For those who are interested in learning more about the trip, there are weekly meetings held on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. in Morton 235.
Skiing is not the only activity in which this club is involved, however. There is a white water rafting trip during spring break and the community service project called Challenge Mountain. This nonprofit organization, according to its Web site, is “helping the physically impaired and mentally challenged achieve their maximum potential through outdoor therapeutic recreation.”
Athletics, art and childhood memories
If playing tag as a child was an enjoyment, then one can imagine playing today, except instead of tagging someone with one’s hands, one shoots (tags) with paint shot from a gun. This amusement can come from no other club but OU’s Paintball Club.
With general meetings on Tuesdays in Morton and practices on Saturdays, this club’s members come together to play hard. The club consists of a five-man Xball team, which is considered the varsity and junior varsity team. They attend three events during the year followed by nationals. However, one can play for recreation as well. If worried about the expense of the sports equipment, one can rent equipment that is available at the practices.
Deal or no deal?
If being on a television game show is a secret fantasy, then one should look into the Game Show Appreciation Society. During their Thursday meetings in Baker at 8 p.m., members get to watch screenings of old game shows and then perform in mock shows.
If that does not fulfill the urge to be on TV, then one can look forward to the mock productions the club puts on each quarter. These shows include “Family Feud,” “Wheel of Fortune” and “The Price is Right,” during which the club plans to give out the prize of a TV. E-mail the organization at gameshow@ohio.edu to learn more.
Born in the wrong time period
If the need to dance suddenly strikes a fancy, and the reoccurring rap music does not sound appealing, one should take the time to swing dance. OU’s Jitterbug Club is the place to satisfy the urge with lessons in East Coast swing, the Lindy Hop, the Charleston, the Balboa, the Blues, the Shim Sham, shag and more. Meetings, which are held on Wednesdays in the Multipurpose room in Baker at 7:30 p.m., will include lessons on the basic dances, new moves, musicality and open dancing. Not only does the club teach the moves, but also it allows for trips to cities such as Dayton and Columbus for social dances or competitions. E-mail jitterbug@ohio.edu for more information.
Give him a "hi-yaw"
If a concern for safety has paranoia in the brain on late nights at Athens, then one can gain confidence by learning self-defense with the Shotokan Club. Shotokan is a traditional form of karate that increases self-discipline and mentality and teaches to push oneself. The club meets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Ping Center and works on basic motions, form, techniques and sparring. Members learn from a sensei and other black belts and can compete if desired. If interested, e-mail shotokan@ohio.edu for information.
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