About the ODC:
So what exactly is the UVic Outdoors Club? Good question; we're involved in a wide range of activities that range from skiing, snowshoeing, hiking and camping to climbing, sea kayaking and mountain biking. Having members interested in so many different activities means this is a great place to exchange skills and learn something new!
According to our constitution:
"The UVic Outdoors Club exists to support the personal growth of members through outdoor experiences. This is achieved by providing opportunities for skill development, fostering an appreciation for the natural world, developing leadership and community, offering resources that facilitate outdoor experiences, and the promotion of outdoor recreation on Vancouver Island "
...a little wordy, but you get what we mean.
Please explore our site, but we'd like to recommend you read: What is the ODC and the History of the ODC (below) to learn more about the Club, or dig into Who is the ODC to find out who your friendly neighborhood Executive Members are. If you have any questions about the club and what we do, first check out the Frequently Asked Questions page, and if your still curious, drop us an email at
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Now, if this seems like this is your kind of scene, what are you waiting for?
Sign up, become an ODC member and lets get outside!
The University of Victoria Outdoors Club is a proud member of the University of Victoria Vikes Sport Clubs Program
Frequently Asked Questions:
Have a question? check the FAQs section first, if you still cant find the answer, email us at
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What is the ODC?
The following is reproduced from the First Edition of the University of Victoria Outdoors Club Handbook:
Unabridged copies are available as a PDF document here.
"The identity of the University of Victoria Outdoors Club is inherently ambiguous, defining the subject of its very name is a source of debate, yet this ambiguity is arguably the source of the ODC’s strength. Bringing together a diverse group of individuals who profess a similar mindset and appreciation for the outdoors fosters an incredible opportunity for learning and personal growth amongst its members" (ODC Handbook, 2008)
2.0 | CLUB OBJECTIVE:
The ODC aims to uphold the UVic Outdoors Club Constitutional objective through a vibrant student-lead organization at the University of Victoria. Furthermore, the Club seeks to honorably represent UVic, VIKES Recreation and the legacy of the Outdoors Club through accountable, responsible conduct and the observance of all requirements as a UVic student club, and VIKES Sports Club.
2.1 | CONSTITUTIONAL DIRECTIVE:
" The UVic Outdoors Club exists to support the personal growth of members through outdoor experiences. This is achieved by providing opportunities for skill development, fostering an appreciation for the natural world, developing leadership and community, offering resources that facilitate outdoor experiences, and the promotion of outdoor recreation on Vancouver Island.”
2.2 | CORE ELEMENTS OF THE DIRECTIVE:
1) Personal Growth
2) Skill Development
3) Appreciation of the Natural World
4) Leadership and Community
5) Resources
6) Promotion of Vancouver Island
2.3 | CORE ELEMENTS OF THE DIRECTIVE EXPANDED:
i. Personal growth: Underlying all other objectives of the club is a belief in the psychological and physical benefits of outdoor recreation. Through supporting outdoor recreation the Club provides powerful opportunities for personal growth that are an indispensable supplement to academic learning.
ii. Skill development: The UVic Outdoors Club will actively pursue the provision of skill development opportunities, enabling the safe and proficient execution of outdoor activities.
iii. Appreciation of the natural world: The ODC will encourage and support adherence to guidelines that minimize anthropogenic impact whenever possible. Additionally, the ODC recognizes that, to ensure future recreational opportunities, it is the responsibility of individuals who enjoy outdoor recreation to support environmental protection and the ODC will encourage this mentality amongst its members.
iv. Leadership and community: The ODC values experiential learning, teamwork and leadership. Personal growth while “seeking the experience” is arguably the greatest endowment of post-secondary education. The ODC aims to provide opportunities for growth in all the dimensions of leadership and teamwork through participation in outdoor activities and peer education. Ultimately, the ODC aims to generate a strong student community on campus that reflects and supports the values of the club.
v. Resources: The financial cost related to acquiring and maintaining outdoor gear is a significant barrier to the student involvement in outdoor activities. The ODC aims to provide a broad range of gear to its members at manageable costs. Additionally, the ODC aims to create a collection of communal resources including maps, guidebooks and personal anecdotes.
vi. Promotion of Vancouver Island: Vancouver Island has a rich diversity of recreational opportunities, however these are often under-publicized and out-shone by popular destinations on the mainland. The ODC aims to inspire exploration of the Island while acting as a resource of verbal, experiential and written knowledge to new and curious students.
If you've made it this far, your obviously really interested in the Club! If you'd like to know more about any aspect of the Club or its operation please review the documents available under the tab "Club Documents" or email
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Who is the ODC:
Each year, the ODC is lead by a hardworking group of student volunteers. Together, they make a significant impact in the UVic community by creating opportunities for students that reflect the mandate of the Club. Without the dedication and enthusiasm they generously provide, the ODC would not exist.
To see who is behind the ODC, click here! To read up on those crazy execs, click here!
About the Club Executive
All you've ever wanted to know (and more) about the ODC's executives...
Name: Sophie Waterman
Exec Title: New member coordinator/female representation!
Studying: Chemistry and things that explode!
Likes: Cody Gold’s cookies (not a metaphor)
Dislikes: Endless degree programs
Quote: “That’s no moon”
Favourite Colour: Sparkles
Star Sign: Cancer
Preferred Activities: There’s really only one or shredding the gnar
Name: Stefan Gronsdahl
Exec Title: Vice Prez
Studying: Geography (like everyone else in the ODC)
Likes: Grilled cheese, Bailey’s + coffee, the office, Lucky!
Dislikes: Wet sleeping bags, midterms
Quote: “Don’t take life too seriously, its not like you’re gonna make it out alive!”
Favourite Colour: Yellow
Star Sign: That stuff is stupid…but if you really want to know, it’s Gemini
Preferred Activities: Climbing, biking, hiking, camping, beach fires, snow showing, backpacking…
Name: Nouri Najjar
Exec Title: Web nerd/general help/Lebanese ambassador
Studying: Econ (the good kind)
Likes: Procrastination, shiny metal objects
Dislikes: Milton Friedman, trickle down economics
Quote: “LEBANON!”
Favourite Colour: Quacamole
Star Sign: Orion’s belt buckle
Preferred Activities: Biking, hiking, kayaking
Name: Cody Gold
Exec Title: Sec(s)retary
Studying: Poli sci/ES, hoop jumping
Likes: Partying, social justice, tears for fears, moustaches
Dislikes: Stephan Harper, Reagonomics, Climate change
Quote: “I think; therefore, I exploit the tar sands.” - Descartes
Favourite Colour: Purple (the colour of sexual frustration)
Star Sign: Aries
Preferred Activities: Biking, playing records, baking cookies
Name: Matt Edwards
Exec Title: Treasurer
Studying: Econ
Likes: Sandwiches, net social benefit
Dislikes: Deadweight loss, cilantro…seriously
Quote: “My mom thinks I’m cool”
Favourite Colour: Happy
Star Sign: Buddha’s belly
Preferred Activities: Climbing, hiking, sandwich eating
Name: Derek Cronmiller
Exec Title: Acc and External Relations
Studying: Geoscience
Likes: Climbing, hiking, biking, snowboarding, drumming, simplicity
Dislikes: Shaving, the top of mountains, empty bottles
Quote: “I wouldn’t want to be part of a club that would have someone like me as a member” – Groucho Marx
Favourite Colour: Bluebird skies
Star Sign: Big dipper
Preferred Activities: Climbing, sleeping, eating, making music
Name: Eric Gibbs
Exec Title: General Executive Officer
Studying: General (Goal: Education)
Likes: Summer camp & winter; I love beer, chocolate, and cheese
Dislikes: Trash TV, Cars in the city
Quote: “Life has no limits, if you’re not afraid to get in it” – Mason Jennings
Favourite Colour: Sky blue
Star Sign: Cancer
Preferred Activities: Hiking, biking, climbing
Name: Cory McGregor
Exec Title: Equipment and climbing officer
Studying: Geography and Psychology
Likes: Pancakes, spooning and long walks on the beach, guitar
Dislikes: Central air, Acme anvils
Quote: “The edge…the only people who truly know where it is are the ones who have gone over”
Favourite Colour: Light Urple
Star Sign: Libra
Preferred Activities: Climbing, camping, hokcey, Frisbee, kayaking, biking
Name: Ashley Robinson
Exec Title: Past prez, mtn bike coordinator, Kootney correspondent
Studying: Geography/ES
Likes: Mountain biking, social justice, environmental sustainability, co-ops, your mom
Dislikes: Capitalism, Harper, apathy,…all that jazz
Quote: “Freedom is the ability to let that which does not matter truly slide”
Favourite Colour: green and brown
Star Sign: The fish (pisces, piseces?, I can’t spell)
Preferred Activities: Baking, skiing, biking, hiking, sexing, protesting, cooking
Name: Allie Dickhout
Exec Title: South American spy
Studying: Geography/ES (aka the fluffy stuff)
Likes: Snow, puppies, adventures, camp, bicycles, skinny dipping
Dislikes: Studying inside all day, jerky people
Quote: “I’m on my way, don’t know where I’m going…”
Favourite Colour: Shades of green
Start Sign: Taurus
Preferred Activities: Jumping in leaves, going fast on snow, on water, on trails, laughing, rolling down hills
Curious about previous generations of the club? To see past ODC executives click here! Take a look and find out who has helped build the ODC.
Contact Us
If you would like to get a hold of the outdoors club please email
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, or drop by our weekly meeting. For meeting times and location, check the front page.
In the event of an emergency, please contact the club or the Vikes Sport Club's Programmer, Andrew Pitre, at
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Interested in getting more involved with the ODC? We are always looking for more support, so if you think you'd like to join the team, email us at
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. Or, plan ahead and run for election; the Club votes in a brand new Board each spring!
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Here's a list of a few things we gotten up to in the past... if you see anything you'd like to do again, we'd be happy to help make it happen!
Tan = Trips and Activities
Blue = Training/Certification and Skill Development
Orange = Social Events
For as long as as anyone can remember we've had:
Thursday night climbing at Stelly's (The Boulders Climbing Gym)
Annual Alpine Club of Canada Student Affiliate Memberships
In 2008-09:
Avalanche Safty Training (AST) level 1 [January 2009]
Wilderness First Aid 40hour [January 2009]
End of Term Shebang! [December 2008]
Mt Albert Edward [November 2008]
MEC Gear Swap Club Table [November 2008]
French Beach Bike Trip [October 2008]
Mt Klitsa [October 2008]
Saltspring Island Camping/Climbing [October 2008]
Wet Exit Kayak Training [October 2008]
China Beach Camping [October 2008]
Pumpkin Carving Adventure Race [October 2008]
DamU3 River Race [September 2008]
Intro to Climbing at CragX [September 2008]
Circle K Beach Clean Up [September 2008]
Annual Mount Tolmie Hike [September 2008]
Mount Doug Midnight Hike [September 2008]
Saltspring Island Bike Trip/Camping [September 2008]
In 2007-08:
Mt. Arrowsmith-Main Snow Gully [March 2008]
Saltspring Island Bike Tour [March 2008]
Boston Falls Ice Climbing [February 2008]
Kludahk Ski Tour [February 2008]
Mt. Klitsa-East Ridge [February 2008]
Red Rocks Climbing, Nevada [February 2008]
Pemberton / Wendy Thompson Hut ski tour [February 2008]
Crest Creek Crags and Nanaimo river cragging [February 2008]
Wilderness First Aid [January 2008]
Nahmint Mountain-West Ridge [January 2008]
Wilderness First Aid [January 2008]
Sooke potholes bike day-trip [January 2008]
History of the ODC
Coming soon.
The ODC has been around for a while, but no one really knows how long... Rumor has it, the club was addressed by none other than the great Hans Gmoser back when UVic was only a community college! If you'd like a cool project, we'd love to have someone do some sleuthing and figure out where the ODC came from (Especially if you can tie it into a class project and get some course credits at the same time). Let us know if your interested,
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Friends of the ODC
Vancouver Island has an incredible outdoor community and the ODC is pleased highlight the following organizations and businesses:
coming soon
The Victoria Section of the Alpine Club of Canada
If your group would like to become a friend of the ODC please contact us at
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The following documents are unabridged, and provide detailed descriptions of many aspects of the Clubs operation:
ODC Constitution | PDF | Under Review
ODC Handbook (1st Ed.) | PDF | Published: November 30, 2008
ODC Action Plan 2008 | PDF | Published: November 30, 2008
ODC Trip Leader Honorarium Program | Under Development
People come and go in every club, yet a select few leave their unique mark and become the figures of club lore. They are those mythical individuals who's names always invoke a stream of epic recounts -- often involving long bushwhacks, stumbled upon trials, (in)edible wild foods, driftwood shelters and/or rafts, and impossibly flawless trips... The ODC Rogues Gallery pays homage to these members. Read on to find out about the legends of the Club!
Enter the Rogues Gallery!
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About the ODC
