If you haven’t already checked out the Outdoor Adventures facility in the Student Recreation Center, do it this instant! As part of the Associated Students, Outdoor Adventures offers CSUN students the opportunity to hike, backpack, rock climb, kayak, white-water raft and practically anything else your adventure-seeking heart desires.

Outdoor Adventures coordinator, Tim Szczepanski, and his certified student team are responsible for making your outdoor experience your best yet.

“We are trying to get rid of the word commuter,” said Szczepanski. “We want people to think, ‘This is my campus. I want to be part of something.’”

Outdoor Adventures offers several excursions to places such as Joshua Tree and Castaic Lake. The team prefers to keep each trip relatively small, about 15 students, for a more authentic experience.

“We like to maintain intimacy.  That’s why we have smaller groups,” said Szczepanski. “I like to know all of their names.”

The Outdoor Adventures staff includes two wilderness first-response certified graduate students, about 20 first aid and CPR certified undergrad students and of course, expert and Matador alumnus himself, Tim Szczepanski.

“I believe that people who do an outdoor experiential trip together remain friends for a lifetime.” Said Szczepanski.

Apart from the exhilarating outings, Outdoor Adventures really focuses on team building.  Team building is a bonding program that consists of different clubs and departments on campus coming together to improve or maintain their communication skills as a group.

“Even if it’s just an opportunity to get out of LA or to make new friends, we want it to be fun!” said Szczepanski.

As if it couldn’t get any better, another perk of this miraculous association is discounted equipment rentals. Rentals are available for students all summer long. The cost of renting a tent or a sleeping bag for the weekend starts at around $5.00. You can’t beat it.

A new expedition schedule will be available in the fall. All outings are created and organized by student employees.

“They are the ones that run the show!” said Szczepanski, “I’m just here to facilitate the best possible experience they can have.”

As for this summer, keep your fingers crossed. Outdoor Adventures is in the process of organizing a full moon kayaking trip this coming July, contacts are being made this second!