Ole Miss Outdoors

It often takes a little persuasion to step to the edge, and sometimes a gentle shove to get over it. Guided by a mission statement that emphasizes outdoor adventure, environmental awareness, and personal development, Ole Miss Outdoors pushes ordinary people to take unique risks through its diverse outdoor recreation program.

Ole Miss Outdoors, commonly known by the acronym “OMOD” around campus, offers a variety of affordable outdoor excursions that are available not only to all Ole Miss students, but any person who wishes to get outside.

According to OMOD marketing manager and trip leader Casey Armstrong, a senior from Alpharetta, Georgia, the adventures are not limited to any particular outdoor activities, as event planners attempt to integrate new adventures to the schedule every year.

“We organize typical outdoor adventures that range anywhere from whitewater rafting, rock climbing, or mountain biking, but we recently held our first hang gliding trip where we jumped off of Lookout Mountain in southeast Tennessee. It was a huge success, and the spots for trip filled up in a few hours,” said Armstrong.

For those who want an outdoor challenge, but don’t feel like paying for one or spending a weekend away from Oxford, the Rebel Challenge Course is a more realistic option for trying some outdoor fun.

The course contains elements that range from ground-level obstacles, a fifty-foot climbing wall, and the capstone three hundred foot zip line. The cost is free on Fridays for any Ole Miss student that can sign a waiver.

According to OMOD Rebel Challenge Course instructor Kathryn Westfall,19, from Memphis, Tennessee, up to sixty Ole Miss students have turned out in one Friday afternoon to attempt the course. The instructors see individual students as well as groups from large campus organizations such as ROTC, Campus Crusades, fraternities, and sororities.

“We like to see organizations come out to the course together because this experience encourages teambuilding and bonding amongst members . Leaders are always identified because there always has to be somebody to attempt these intimidating challenges first,” Westfall said.

Solo students are also welcome.

Upon completion of the rock wall, a male Ole Miss freshman said that he was simply trying to get out of the dorms for the afternoon and try something different.

“I had a blast today. There is a physical aspect to it, too. It was really cool that this was free and all of my safety equipment was included. It amazes me that more people don’t check this place out,” he said.

Ole Miss Outdoors only asks that you bring a good attitude.

The next adventure trip is will be rock climbing at Sand Rock, AL, over the weekend of April 1-3. The cost is $60 and all food, gear, and transportation are included.

Visit OMOD on the web at http://www.olemiss.edu/campusrec/omod/mission.html