Outing Club: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox group|name=Vassar Outing Club|time=Wednesdays 9:00 pm|location=Cushing Parlor|email=outingclub.vsa@vassar.edu|socials=[https://www.instagram.com/vassaroutingclub/ Instagram], [https://www.facebook.com/VassarOutingClub/ Facebook]}}

{{Infobox group|name=Vassar Outing Club|access=All community members|time=Wednesdays 9:00 pm|location=Cushing Parlor|email=outingclub.vsa@vassar.edu|socials=[https://www.instagram.com/vassaroutingclub/ Instagram], [https://www.facebook.com/VassarOutingClub/ Facebook]}}

'''Outing Club''', abbreviated to '''VOC''', is the largest student organization on campus. The club is an open space where anyone can lead hiking, biking or other trips. In addition to hosting many trips around the Poughkeepsie area each week, they also lead larger overnight trips on Fall and Spring Break.

== History ==

Outing Club was founded in October 1925 as part of the Athletic Association~~, recently celebrating its 100th birthday~~.<ref>Vassar Miscellany News 10 October 1925 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref> At that time, the annual fee to join the club was $1.00. The club operated several cabins around the Hudson Valley in its early years. On December 5th, 1926, the club opened its cabin located at the southern end of what is now the [[Vassar Preserve]]. President [[Henry MacCracken]] named it the Tabard after an inn in the ''~~Canterberry~~ Tales''.<ref>Vassar Miscellany News 8 December 1926 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref>

Outing Club was founded in October 1925 as part of the Athletic Association.<ref name=":0">Vassar Miscellany News 10 October 1925 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref> At that time, the annual fee to join the club was $1.00. The club operated several cabins around the Hudson Valley in its early years, including in the Catskill and Shawangunk Mountains.<ref name=":0" /> On December 5th, 1926, the club opened its cabin located at the southern end of what is now the Vassar Preserve, at the time the College farm and the Kenyon Estate. President [[wikipedia:Henry_Noble_MacCracken|Henry MacCracken]] named it the [[wikipedia:The_Tabard|Tabard]] after an inn in the ''Canterbury Tales''.<ref>Vassar Miscellany News 8 December 1926 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref>

In Spring 1930, the Tabard burned down. President MacCracken and the College's General Manager Keene Richards quickly ensured the construction of a second Tabard by October of that year.<ref>Vassar Miscellany News 27 September 1930 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref> Though smaller than the first, it was constructed in the same location. At this time the Club owned a car for use on trips, which they had to donate to the war effort during World War II.<ref name=":1">Miscellany News 28 October 1994 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref> In 1946, a problem emerged that to get to the Tabard, many students were crossing [[wikipedia:IBM|I.B.M.]] land. After legal action, VOC repeatedly reminded their members to not trespass on I.B.M. property under penalty of the law.<ref>Vassar Chronicle 7 December 1946 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref> In January 1948, a Third Tabard was constructed, this time near the Hockey Fields, located where the Terrace Apartments are now. The same year, Outing Club and Ski Club merged.<ref>Vassar Chronicle 31 January 1948 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref> For several decades, a common VOC event at the Tabard was "Freshman Feed".<ref>Vassar Miscellany News 30 September 1939 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref><ref>Vassar Miscellany News 2 October 1957 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref> In 1965, a VOC member found what she believed to be the ruins of the second Tabard.<ref>Vassar Miscellany News 24 February 1965 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref> In the 1970s, the Terrace Apartments were built on the location of the Tabard, which burned down sometime after 1972.<ref>misc 3 December 1971 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref><ref>Misc 5 May 1972 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref>

Following the destruction of the third Tabard, the Club declined in the 80s, receiving little or no funding.<ref>Miscellany News 13 November 1981 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref> In the late 80s and 90s, the club went through a revival and grew again. During this revival the club began meeting in Cushing House, and still does to this day.<ref name=":1" /> The Club's gear room has also located in Cushing basement since the 90s. From 2001, Outing Club and Greens collaborated on the event Lakefest at Sunset Lake in September.<ref>Miscellany News 3 October 2003 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref>

In Fall 2025, Outing Club celebrated its one-hundred-year anniversary.

== All Campus Events ==

Outing Club's largest events are Fall Fest and Folk Fest, both of which are in collaboration with [[StuMu]]. Fall Fest occurs outside of Blodgett over [https://www.vassar.edu/families/events/weekend Families Weekend] in late September or early October. Folk Fest occurs in late April on or near Admitted Students Day on Commencement Hill.<ref name=":2"><nowiki>https://www.instagram.com/vassaroutingclub/</nowiki></ref>

== Programming and Trips ==

Outing Club leads a broad variety of trips around the Hudson Valley and beyond, with approximately 8-12 trips per week.<ref name=":4"><nowiki>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7qeR2kDRl4</nowiki></ref> Sunrise hikes are a key part of the club, most often at [[wikipedia:Overlook_Mountain|Overlook Mountain]], the [[wikipedia:Mohonk_Preserve|Mohonk Preserve]], [[wikipedia:Beacon_Mountain|Mount Beacon]], and [[wikipedia:Mount_Tremper|Mount Tremper]].<ref>Go Take a Hike! - Exploring the Valley and Beyond with the Outing Club - Stories - Vassar College</ref> The [[wikipedia:Dutchess_Rail_Trail|Dutchess Rail Trail]], a mile from campus, is a popular destination, providing access to the [[wikipedia:Walkway_over_the_Hudson|Walkway Over the Hudson]] and [[wikipedia:New_Paltz_(town),_New_York|New Paltz]]. This trail is part of the [[wikipedia:Empire_State_Trail|Empire State Trail]], which connects from New York City to Canada. There are also frequent polar plunges and swims at the Watering Hole in [[wikipedia:Wappinger_Creek|Wappinger Creek]], located two miles from campus.<ref name=":3">VOC Map - Google My Maps</ref>

Over Spring Break, the Club leads several larger overnight trips. These include backpacking, [[wikipedia:Bikepacking|bikepacking]], camping and canoeing.<ref name=":2" /> Destinations have included the Catskills, Adirondacks, Vermont, Virginia, New Hampshire, California and more. Over Winter Break, the VOC leads WWARM, a weekend in a cabin in the Adirondack Mountains.<ref name=":3" /> If WWARM was once an acronym, what it stands for has been lost to history. During study week, VOC hosts a four day [[wikipedia:Wilderness_first_aid_certification_in_the_US|Wilderness Advanced First Aid]] (WAFA) training to teach overnight trip leaders wilderness safety. Prior to Covid, it was a VOC tradition to go skydiving at the end of every year.<ref name=":4" />

Each week, the Club meets on Wednesday night to propose trips for the next week. It is an open org and any member of the Vassar community may lead a trip. The meetings occur in the Cushing Courtyard in the warm weather and in the Cushing Piano Parlor the majority of the time. In 2023, the meeting time was moved from 9:30 pm to 9:00 pm.<ref>Vassar Outing Club | Poughkeepsie NY | Facebook</ref>

== Links ==

* [https://www.instagram.com/vassaroutingclub Instagram]

* [https://www.facebook.com/VassarOutingClub Facebook]

* [https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?hl=en&mid=1JbUs7izbkQkW3pbt3ra7wL3gL_ylyag&ll=41.67331399312452%2C-74.09643504536486&z=10 Map]

* [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScslAeD4tgO0RKjk7LCN2HqNlsN_1EiIzSlbj2SrzRcvIVNrQ/viewform?usp=header Email List Sign Up]

== References ==

[[Category:Student orgs]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Infobox group|name=Vassar Outing Club|time=Wednesdays 9:00 pm|location=Cushing Parlor|email=outingclub.vsa@vassar.edu|socials=[https://www.instagram.com/vassaroutingclub/ Instagram], [https://www.facebook.com/VassarOutingClub/ Facebook]}}
+{{Infobox group|name=Vassar Outing Club|access=All community members|time=Wednesdays 9:00 pm|location=Cushing Parlor|email=outingclub.vsa@vassar.edu|socials=[https://www.instagram.com/vassaroutingclub/ Instagram], [https://www.facebook.com/VassarOutingClub/ Facebook]}}
 '''Outing Club''', abbreviated to '''VOC''', is the largest student organization on campus. The club is an open space where anyone can lead hiking, biking or other trips. In addition to hosting many trips around the Poughkeepsie area each week, they also lead larger overnight trips on Fall and Spring Break.
 == History ==
-Outing Club was founded in October 1925 as part of the Athletic Association, recently celebrating its 100th birthday.<ref>Vassar Miscellany News 10 October 1925 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref> At that time, the annual fee to join the club was $1.00. The club operated several cabins around the Hudson Valley in its early years. On December 5th, 1926, the club opened its cabin located at the southern end of what is now the [[Vassar Preserve]]. President [[Henry MacCracken]] named it the Tabard after an inn in the ''Canterberry Tales''.<ref>Vassar Miscellany News 8 December 1926 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref>
+Outing Club was founded in October 1925 as part of the Athletic Association.<ref name=":0">Vassar Miscellany News 10 October 1925 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref> At that time, the annual fee to join the club was $1.00. The club operated several cabins around the Hudson Valley in its early years, including in the Catskill and Shawangunk Mountains.<ref name=":0" /> On December 5th, 1926, the club opened its cabin located at the southern end of what is now the Vassar Preserve, at the time the College farm and the Kenyon Estate. President [[wikipedia:Henry_Noble_MacCracken|Henry MacCracken]] named it the [[wikipedia:The_Tabard|Tabard]] after an inn in the ''Canterbury Tales''.<ref>Vassar Miscellany News 8 December 1926 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref>
+In Spring 1930, the Tabard burned down. President MacCracken and the College's General Manager Keene Richards quickly ensured the construction of a second Tabard by October of that year.<ref>Vassar Miscellany News 27 September 1930 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref> Though smaller than the first, it was constructed in the same location. At this time the Club owned a car for use on trips, which they had to donate to the war effort during World War II.<ref name=":1">Miscellany News 28 October 1994 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref> In 1946, a problem emerged that to get to the Tabard, many students were crossing [[wikipedia:IBM|I.B.M.]] land. After legal action, VOC repeatedly reminded their members to not trespass on I.B.M. property under penalty of the law.<ref>Vassar Chronicle 7 December 1946 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref> In January 1948, a Third Tabard was constructed, this time near the Hockey Fields, located where the Terrace Apartments are now. The same year, Outing Club and Ski Club merged.<ref>Vassar Chronicle 31 January 1948 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref> For several decades, a common VOC event at the Tabard was "Freshman Feed".<ref>Vassar Miscellany News 30 September 1939 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref><ref>Vassar Miscellany News 2 October 1957 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref> In 1965, a VOC member found what she believed to be the ruins of the second Tabard.<ref>Vassar Miscellany News 24 February 1965 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref> In the 1970s, the Terrace Apartments were built on the location of the Tabard, which burned down sometime after 1972.<ref>misc 3 December 1971 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref><ref>Misc 5 May 1972 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref>
+Following the destruction of the third Tabard, the Club declined in the 80s, receiving little or no funding.<ref>Miscellany News 13 November 1981 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref> In the late 80s and 90s, the club went through a revival and grew again. During this revival the club began meeting in Cushing House, and still does to this day.<ref name=":1" /> The Club's gear room has also located in Cushing basement since the 90s. From 2001, Outing Club and Greens collaborated on the event Lakefest at Sunset Lake in September.<ref>Miscellany News 3 October 2003 — Vassar Newspaper & Magazine Archive</ref>
+In Fall 2025, Outing Club celebrated its one-hundred-year anniversary.
+== All Campus Events ==
+Outing Club's largest events are Fall Fest and Folk Fest, both of which are in collaboration with [[StuMu]]. Fall Fest occurs outside of Blodgett over [https://www.vassar.edu/families/events/weekend Families Weekend] in late September or early October. Folk Fest occurs in late April on or near Admitted Students Day on Commencement Hill.<ref name=":2"><nowiki>https://www.instagram.com/vassaroutingclub/</nowiki></ref>
+== Programming and Trips ==
+Outing Club leads a broad variety of trips around the Hudson Valley and beyond, with approximately 8-12 trips per week.<ref name=":4"><nowiki>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7qeR2kDRl4</nowiki></ref> Sunrise hikes are a key part of the club, most often at [[wikipedia:Overlook_Mountain|Overlook Mountain]], the [[wikipedia:Mohonk_Preserve|Mohonk Preserve]], [[wikipedia:Beacon_Mountain|Mount Beacon]], and [[wikipedia:Mount_Tremper|Mount Tremper]].<ref>Go Take a Hike! - Exploring the Valley and Beyond with the Outing Club - Stories - Vassar College</ref> The [[wikipedia:Dutchess_Rail_Trail|Dutchess Rail Trail]], a mile from campus, is a popular destination, providing access to the [[wikipedia:Walkway_over_the_Hudson|Walkway Over the Hudson]] and [[wikipedia:New_Paltz_(town),_New_York|New Paltz]]. This trail is part of the [[wikipedia:Empire_State_Trail|Empire State Trail]], which connects from New York City to Canada. There are also frequent polar plunges and swims at the Watering Hole in [[wikipedia:Wappinger_Creek|Wappinger Creek]], located two miles from campus.<ref name=":3">VOC Map - Google My Maps</ref>
+Over Spring Break, the Club leads several larger overnight trips. These include backpacking, [[wikipedia:Bikepacking|bikepacking]], camping and canoeing.<ref name=":2" /> Destinations have included the Catskills, Adirondacks, Vermont, Virginia, New Hampshire, California and more. Over Winter Break, the VOC leads WWARM, a weekend in a cabin in the Adirondack Mountains.<ref name=":3" /> If WWARM was once an acronym, what it stands for has been lost to history. During study week, VOC hosts a four day [[wikipedia:Wilderness_first_aid_certification_in_the_US|Wilderness Advanced First Aid]] (WAFA) training to teach overnight trip leaders wilderness safety. Prior to Covid, it was a VOC tradition to go skydiving at the end of every year.<ref name=":4" />
+Each week, the Club meets on Wednesday night to propose trips for the next week. It is an open org and any member of the Vassar community may lead a trip. The meetings occur in the Cushing Courtyard in the warm weather and in the Cushing Piano Parlor the majority of the time. In 2023, the meeting time was moved from 9:30 pm to 9:00 pm.<ref>Vassar Outing Club | Poughkeepsie NY | Facebook</ref>
+== Links ==
+* [https://www.instagram.com/vassaroutingclub Instagram]
+* [https://www.facebook.com/VassarOutingClub Facebook]
+* [https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?hl=en&mid=1JbUs7izbkQkW3pbt3ra7wL3gL_ylyag&ll=41.67331399312452%2C-74.09643504536486&z=10 Map]
+* [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScslAeD4tgO0RKjk7LCN2HqNlsN_1EiIzSlbj2SrzRcvIVNrQ/viewform?usp=header Email List Sign Up]
 == References ==
 <references />
 [[Category:Student orgs]]