< a yearlong hiatus, C.A.N.O.E. House will return to campus for the 2013/2014 academic year to continue its long tradition of leading and facilitating outdoor trips for the Carleton community.
“We are so excited to have CANOE House back for next year,” said CANOE president Callum McCulloch ’15, as “it’s been a core part of the Carleton community for as long as anyone can remember.”
McCulloch emphasized the inclusive nature of the house when it comes to providing “a welcoming place on campus for all students to congregate in a casual setting” and share in their mutual love of outdoor activities like hiking, climbing, and, of course, canoeing.
He drew attention to the need for a house with their specific mission, saying, “oftentimes, going outdoors intimidates young people,” also adding that “students at Carleton may simply not have time to fully appreciate nature, [and therefore] we hope to provide the motivation and the means to get students outside.”
In addition to fostering enthusiasm for outdoor activities, CANOE House offers support to students in a variety of ways. They provide students with “outdoor gear with just a small security deposit given back upon gear return.” To augment the club trips run by the club, CANOE also acts “as an outdoor resource that will empower trips independent of the club” during academic breaks when Carls are still “adamant about getting outside.”
For students wishing to plan their own trips, McCulloch went on to say, “Our extensive outdoor library and knowledgeable residents will point you in the right direction to make your independent trip a success.”
In between treks into the great outdoors, McCulloch said the club is also planning to host events such as “gear repair, orienteering, and critical decision-making to get you ready to explore.”
He summed up the club’s sentiment towards their role in the Carleton community by stating, “We believe that interest houses must serve the larger Carleton community because it’s a two-way street. CANOE House residents will focus on personal development in the outdoors, but also enthusiastically give back to the student body.”
McCulloch called attention to ResLife’s willingness to “listen and problem solve” in order to make CANOE House a reality again, starting fall term. With 32 students applying for the opportunity to live in the house next year, it seems there will be no shortage of enthusiasm for the return of CANOE House.