There’s plenty to do in Chadron if you go outdoors

I’ve heard many CSC students lament the fact that there’s not much to do in Chadron. But with over 180,000 acres of public land, this region is a great destination for outdoor recreation. 

My advice? Even if you’re unsure you’re the outdoors type – get yourself outside and explore. 

If you were raised hunting, fishing, camping, hiking and biking like I was, that’s easy to do. But if you’re like many students at CSC who didn’t grow up a regular in the outdoors, it may not be so simple. After all, many outdoor activities require special equipment or knowledge. 

It’s my belief that those of us who belong to the CSC and Chadron communities, and are lovers of the outdoors, need to do more to introduce others to the joys it brings. 

Currently, the Natural Sciences Club and the Wildlife Club both offer outdoor opportunities as a perk of membership. Wildlife tends to focus on hunting and fishing, two activities that have a bit more of a learning curve and equipment need, but during a conversation I had with club president Justin Gress earlier this semester, he indicated he and the club are more than happy to do what it takes to introduce the uninitiated. As for Natural Sciences, membership has been low for the club recently and although I was unable to reach the club president for comment, I have to imagine they’d welcome students looking to enjoy the outdoors and the joy of nature.

Two of the most accessible outdoor activities to enjoy in the area are hiking and camping. Trails are as close as C-Hill and opportunities to hike and camp abound in nearby areas like The Cliffs, Chadron State Park, Toadstool Geological Park, and Fort Robinson. In the past, Northwest Nebraska Trails Association has held group hikes that included CSC students, but the pandemic has put their events on hold, although Brittany Helmbrecht, assistant HPER professor at CSC, who belongs to the group, says they’re open to holding more group hikes when guidelines allow it. She suggests students looking to enjoy local trails visit nwnebraskatrails.com for more information on where hiking and biking trails are located in the region. 

Not much beyond weather appropriate clothing is required to go for a hike, but many outdoor activities do require equipment. Chadron State Park maintains a selection of fishing poles that visitors can use and RLA offers tents that can be checked out, but otherwise, easy access to equipment isn’t very realistic outside of students purchasing their own, and that can get expensive. According to Taylor Osmotherly, Eagle Exchange tends to have more dress clothes than outdoor gear, but RLA would be open to receiving donations of outdoor equipment from the community were they to be offered. 

Now, more than ever, getting ourselves outdoors offers great benefits. In the days of COVID-19, having a good time is best done in nature. 

But given CSC is located in Nebraska’s premier area for outdoor recreation, introducing students to the outdoors and all it has to offer should always be a priority for the college, and for RLA.

In addition to having outdoor clubs and events, that means giving students easy access to outdoor gear. I’d like to personally call on the college and the Chadron community to make that happen.