Want to get out more? Join a club!
Do you long for the outdoors but don’t seem to find the time to get out enough? Are you looking for a new adventure or two to put a little excitement back in your life? Whether you need the motivation or not, outdoor recreation clubs offer great opportunity to explore the outdoors and meet others with similar goals.
Being part of a club or organization that enjoys similar interests as you is a great motivator to get out more. Specialty clubs exist for almost any passion these days. Whether you are a biker, a climber, a caver, a hiker, or a rafter, chances are you’ll find a club in your area that focuses on your interest. And joining a club is a great way to motivate yourself to do more. With a club, you’ll have to sign up for events ahead of time, which ensures that you’ll make time for your passion and that you’ll show up–many clubs have accountability systems for no-shows. Of course, you’ll want to show up and enjoy your passion with others in your area. Most clubs offer trips for all levels of participants. So, even if you’ve don’t hike now but you want to start, joining a club is the perfect solution.
Clubs also offer opportunities to try new adventures that you might not otherwise get a chance to try. Many local clubs coordinate large scale out-of-state- or international events. Planning such a large trip could be a logistical nightmare if you don’t have experience doing so–not to mention expensive. Attending a planned trip with a club offers the benefit of little planning on your part and often cheaper group rates. You’ll also likely be going with someone with first-hand experience. My trip to Peru last summer was through the Atlanta Outdoor Club (AOC). Not only was our trip leader experienced leading groups on the Inca trail, but I was able to talk with members who had attended his trip in previous years to get some insider tips before I left. I’m quite sure that I would not have thought to plan such a trip on my own. But if you aren’t looking for large-scale adventures like this one, you still will be offered opportunities that you might not get otherwise. The AOC has also offered such unique experiences as scuba diving certification, skydiving, and hang gliding.
Another advantage of joining a club is meeting other people in your area with similar interests to your own. If you’re a die-hard hiker but none of your friends are, a club will allow you to meet others in your area that are avid hikers too. Many times you’ll become friends with club members and start planning non-club events with your club friends. From planning hiking trips to meeting for dinner after work, having similar interest friends is a great advantage. You can share tips about a great or horrible trail or a new backpack you recently purchased. Having a network of friends interested in your passion offers an invaluable resource.
Still not convinced? Hear what others are saying about the benefits of joining a club.
