OPINION: Western’s Outdoor Center makes nature accessible through affordable adventures

Outdoor recreation can connect us to our environment and promote health and wellness, but outdoor activities are often financially inaccessible.

That’s why Western Washington University’s Outdoor Center, or the OC, provides students with access to affordable gear and new opportunities to adventure in nature.

People in Washington spend $26.5 billion annually to enjoy outdoor activities, according to the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office. A large reason for this spending is that the necessary gear for outdoor recreation is expensive. Whether it’s helmets, climbing rope and harnesses or skis, poles and bindings, these tools are important to have in order to get involved.

Located on the bottom floor of the Viking Union and open weekdays from 11 a.m.– 4 p.m., the OC is the place to go if you’re looking for outdoor equipment. Rental periods range from a day up to two weeks and have some of the cheapest prices in Bellingham, which cater to its audience of students. Offering items such as tents, skis and kayaks, they have something new to try for everyone.

“It’s meant to be serving folks who have not had access to being outside,” said Stu Montgomery, the OC’s assistant director for outdoor recreation. “We’re often targeting folks who are newer to Western and helping them find a sense of place.”

It can be hard to step out of your comfort zone to ask how to get involved or try something new. Whether it be getting advice for a good hiking spot, learning how to fix your bike or asking how to sign up to go snowshoeing for your first time, the OC has you covered.

“It’s meant to serve students, that’s our utmost priority. It’s cool that we can also serve community members, faculty and staff for rental equipment,” said Elena Korch, an equipment and resources employee and trip leader at the OC.

The OC is run by the students for the students. They help create connections among peers and enable young people to try something fun in a welcoming environment. 

“We try to do a lot of beginner trips so that people who don’t historically have access to gear, transportation and knowledge — because that’s a huge thing — can feel comfortable and safe,” Korch said. 

In addition to renting out gear, the OC has an excursion program, where they run day trips, weekend trips and week-long trips. The excursions vary in length and price.

The day trips vary from bird watching to learning how to mountain bike, while the overnight trips include skiing and camping in the mountains or rock climbing in Vantage.

Eliana Martin, a Western fourth-year student, went on the Black and Brown Male Success Collective snowboarding excursion trip in Winter of 2024, through the OC. 

The students were provided gear for snowboarding and skiing and their three trip leaders gave instruction and help when wanted, as the trip was open to people with any level of experience.

“They were all very supportive and made the trip so much fun,” Martin said. “There are so many opportunities through the Outdoor Center to connect with nature and to find a community.”

Whether it’s going on a mountain bike ride or just sitting outside, there are advantages to connecting with nature, according to Lindsay Poynter, a senior instructor at Western. 

Poynter teaches classes in recreation management and leadership, including topics like outdoor recreation, leisure in contemporary society and outdoor wellness mentorships.

“When we look at the health benefits of nature, they’re showing now that passive and active [movement outdoors] have similar benefits when it comes to things like decreasing anxiety or reducing symptoms of depression,” Poynter said. 

Regardless of experience, the OC provides students with opportunities to join a new community.

“I think nature has so much to offer us as people and I see how much positive change being outside can bring to people,” Montgomery said. “We want to share that and open it up to more people to give them the confidence, the skill, the tools and the equipment they need to be able to tap into that amazing opportunity.”