Last Friday, the University held its annual picnic, Campus Fest. There was free stuff everywhere, and everyone loves free stuff. You could spin a wheel and win everything from a free burrito to a pair of fuzzy dice. Different organizations were handing out cups, T-shirts and koozies as you walked by. Needless to say, it was a good day because everything was free, including the food. But as I was wandering around, looking at all the different tables, I decided to take a closer look at all of the organizations at the University. Here is my top five, in reverse order.
No surprise here, my fifth choice from Campus Fest is the American Marketing Association. When these guys hand you a flier, you take it and you like it. Their table wasn’t the best, but they made up for it with knowledgeable people handing out fliers and answering all sorts of questions. This group is a chapter of the national American Marketing Association organization. So what does that mean for you and why should you join it? Networking. This group is nationwide and is a great opportunity for anyone, not just marketing majors, to get their name out and network creative ideas with others. In addition, this group is here to help you with your communication skills. If you can’t get your point across in today’s world, someone else can, and more than likely, they were a part of AMA.
Coming in fourth is BGSU Intramurals. This also wasn’t a very flashy table, but there was a lot of good information presented by enthusiastic people. I found out that last year, around 7,000 University students participated in intramurals. And why not? There is literally an intramural for everyone. They have cornhole, ultimate frisbee, flag football, whiffleball, dodgeball and 25 others. While the weather is still good, most of these intramurals are played outside at the intramural fields across the street from Kreischer and in front of the football stadium. When the weather takes a turn for the worse, don’t worry, because intramurals are moved indoors to either the Perry Field House or the Rec Center. Intramurals are a lot of fun and would have been higher on my list, but there is a downside this year – you have to pay to play. But I was told the fees average out to around $2 per person, so it’s still a pretty good deal.
My no. 3 organization is like the Boy Scouts on the Human Growth Hormone – BaseCampus. These guys don’t mess around, they go everywhere. BaseCampus goes on hiking and camping trips across the nation and even internationally. They take regular trips to Hawking Hills and to other camp sites in Ohio and surrounding states. Last year during spring break, they explored Texas and Mexico and saw some amazing sites along the way. The trip was also very affordable, costing about $150. For anyone that hasn’t been on a spring break trip before, $150 might get you to Virginia. Besides hiking and camping, BaseCampus also helps out the environment. Last year they helped keep Wintergarden Park beautiful, and this year they are planning a “Clean Stream” program.
Now, you probably haven’t heard of my no. 2 pick, but it was very impressive at Campus Fest. The Student Alumni Connection was spot on, giving great information about its function and other free stuff. If your resume only consists of fast food employment or needs that little something extra to get some attention, you have to check out SAC. In today’s world of fierce job competition, it always helps to know someone in the know. By being apart of SAC, you get to network with University alumni and take part in professionalism workshops. This organization is basically a “how to” on getting a job after spending tens of thousands of dollars for a degree. SAC gets you ready for the unpredictable world of the asphalt jungle that everyone is going to have to survive in one day.
The best organization at Campus Fest should be no surprise to anyone. Every year, this organization grabs everyone’s attention with huge banners and rope climbing. This organization also provides detailed information about itself from the mouths of people that know and care what they are talking about. Of course, I’m talking about the Outdoor Program. These guys know how to have fun. You can take a laid-back canoeing trip down the Little Miami. If tranquility doesn’t work for you and you need an adrenaline rush, get in a raft and go whitewater rafting in West Virginia. They offer two trips to Hawking Hills, one for rappelling and ascending down cliffs, and another for horseback riding. There are also multiple backpacking trips scheduled throughout the year. If you are a skier or snowboarder and are tired of riding the hill on the golf course, get to the Outdoor Program’s office at Perry Field House now. During winter break, the Outdoor Program is going to Breckenridge, Colo., to shred the Rockies for five days and six nights. The trip is a little pricey ($650 – or $565, if you drive yourself), but face the facts: You live in Ohio, and this is an opportunity of a lifetime. So get a job, save some money and put your board to good use. Because the only thing you will regret when the snow falls this winter is riding the wet hills of Boston Mills or Brandywine.
