For students who love hiking, camping trips, snorkeling, bonfires and anything in nature, Chapman’s Outdoors Club has just the excursion for them. 

Outdoors Club has over 1,700 followers on Instagram and hosts one to two events a week. This semester alone, the club has taken hiking trips, camped overnight at Angeles National Forest and is even selling club merch. 

The club wasn’t always so much of a hit; their presence used to be smaller and events less frequent. But this semester, the club’s executive board was determined to climb their way up in numbers and excursions. 

“I think that’s the trick, it’s the consistency,” said junior communication studies major Raine Conti. “And I think that’s why I didn’t go too much my freshman year, because the events were more sporadic and it never really fit in my schedule.”

Having grown up in a family that loved camping and the outdoors — and with a geologist father — Conti always loved activities that put her in nature. When moving from the scenic Marin County to equally beautiful Southern California, she was on the lookout for people who also were interested in exploring the new environment.

Conti is now the executive media manager of the club. She conveniently lives with two other members of the executive board, and their house has become a headquarters for meetings, events and planning. 

One of her roommates and fellow club executives, senior strategic and corporate communication major Karolina Bodzianowski, initially joined the club in her first year, but didn’t feel like a true member until last semester. 

“(Outdoors Club) wasn’t as prominent as it is now, so I went to one event my freshman year and was kind of in it and never went to anything else,” said Bodzianowski. “My first full, true event was the Yosemite camping last semester. And that’s where I was like, ‘these are my people, everyone who enjoys the outdoors,’ and we just had a good time.”

Bodzianowski, who now serves as secretary of the club, is originally from Colorado, where her social life mostly revolved around outdoor activities with her friends. 

“It was such an element from my hometown that my friends and I would do back then, and it would bring me a lot of peace, happiness and joy,” said Bodzianowski. “So it was cool to connect with people that came from the same upbringings, because a lot of the club is from out of state.”

She has been able to meet people from all over the country and even the world who share her same love of the outdoors. Her favorite part of the club is how accessible and inclusive the organization is to all students.  

“We don’t do recruiting, so anyone at any time can join in on our events. You’re always meeting new people,” said Bodzianowski. “There’s no monetary commitment, which is nice; as college students, some things we can’t do because they cost money. As a club, we coordinate carpools so people who can’t drive can join, and we try to be as inclusive as possible.” 

She referred to the group as her “Outdoors Club family.” Regarding why she feels the club has gained so much traction this semester, Bodzianowski credits the executive board’s closeness and passion about making the club a great experience. 

“We all have these amazing strengths that help the club succeed,” said Bodzianowski. “We do things that we’d want to do, that we think are fun, and I think they translate to everyone else. Like, this is awesome; bonfires, hikes and everything. It’s just nice to get outdoors.” 

Unlike other clubs, membership is flexible and curated to fit the needs of its members. Bodzianowski called it “customizable” and said that members can be as involved or casual as they want.

What keeps the club’s executive board motivated is the positive feedback they get from members. When students come to them with stories of how much fun they had at a club event, Bodzianowski said it reminds her why she puts in all the hard work. 

Troy Christensen, a junior strategic and corporate communication major and member of Outdoors Club, has been in the club since sophomore year.

“I made a lot of new friends, met a lot of new people, and I like the camaraderie that comes with the club,” said Christensen. “You get to go to a lot of cool places, and it’s definitely something I want to continue doing.” 

Regular members like Christensen and the occasional attendee all come to the club for the same purpose that initially drew in the executive board — to make connections with people who share the same interests and love of the outdoors. 

The club has gone from a basic Chapman organization to a consistent, organized community that embarks on adventures all over Southern California. 

“Regardless of where students are coming from or what major, everyone can come together and have this amazing opportunity to enjoy the outdoors together,” said Bodzianowski. “We’re making it fun, there’s no pressure. Come when you want, enjoy when you want. It’s there whenever you need it.”