The Sandspur

Issue date: 10/2/06 Section: Life & Times

Media Credit: Courtesy of ROC ROC's most recent adventure was a weekend skydiving trip!

Media Credit: Courtesy of ROC The ROC group gathered together on an outing.

They are the adventure seekers on campus. They have spiraled earthbound from jet planes on sky diving trips. They have waged war against raging rivers on white water rafting escapades. They embrace the outdoors through camping, host lively barbecues to encourage fellowship among their members and others on campus, and endorse perhaps the most creative methods of advertising events this campus has seen, for instance, hanging inflatable rafts outside three story windows. Their meetings are Tuesday nights at precisely 8:01 p.m., their facebook group accounts for an admirable percent of the student body, and the tower of their residence hall is a force to be reckoned with and one to rival that of Knowles Chapel. Who are they? The Rollins Outdoor Club, affectionately abbreviated to ROC.

Some of their members are even avid surfers, scuba divers, kayakers, and mountaineers. Of course, we might better know ROC by the crazy antics they never fail to grace us with. Within the past two decades, feuds between Greek houses and other residence halls were not uncommon. Lyman Hall-ROC's beloved home-once delved into the action by ransoming a plastic snowman. The hapless out-of-place decoration dangled from the railing of Lyman's third story balcony with a sign that read: "Surrender! Or the snowman gets it!"

What is it really like to be apart of the Rollins Outdoor Club, though? This week, the Sandspur has endeavored to answer that very question by interviewing one of ROC's own: Natalie Powers.

"I think the camaraderie of the members of the house has been the most enriching part of the ROC experience," Powers explained, "Additionally, being a member of ROC guarantees that almost every weekend there will be something to do or some cool trip to go on- for free!"

Additionally, Powers says that she is looking forward to upcoming trips with ROC this semester. "I am working with another member on our winter ski trip," she revealed. "This year it is going to be in Sun Valley, which should be fantastic for skiing and snowboarding."

Being a member of a highly active organization provides many opportunities for great, lasting memories. Of these, Powers says, "One of my favorite ROC memories is from last year's Initiation Trip. The trip was a camp out at Ocala National Forest, and that night a bunch of us went off-roading in [a friends] Hummer. We were having so much fun that we ended up getting completely lost and driving around for a couple hours trying to find something that looked familiar. Eventually we came across this Hippie Commune- in the middle of the forest- and asked them how to get to the closest road. We finally found our way back to the campsite around 6 a.m.… great trip."

Unlike most other organizations, though, ROC members have the opportunity to reside together in an on-campus residence. Of this living situation, Powers explains, "There is never a dull moment!"

When they are not cruising down Slip N' Slides, playing paintball, surfing, wakeboarding, rock climbing, or reveling in other extreme sports, they're planning their next chance to do so! In mid-October, ROC is planning to visit Blue Springs for a weekend of swimming, canoeing, fishing, camping, and of course, having an all around awesome time. If you're looking for an organization that truly lives up to the ideology of Carpe Diem week to week, you won't be disappointed. Stop by Lyman Hall for their Tuesday night meetings, or email the president of the club at: tkartzinel@rollins.edu, to learn more about the excitement that is the Rollins Outdoor Club.

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