Do you feel like going to work or class on a spring afternoon? Me neither. So, I'm going to do a day hike on the Ice Age Trail segment in the Brooklyn Wildlife Area, which is about a half hour south of campus.

Distance and duration are flexible. I don't intend for this to be a bird walk, but it's bird migration season, so I'll bring some binoculars in case anyone is interested.

Meet in the Harold C. Bradley Lounge (B176) --- right outside the gear room.

I plan to pack a sandwich for lunch and eat when we're at the trailhead. Feel free to do likewise.

Join Outdoor UW for their new Outdoor Explorer Series.  Learn and practice a new skill that will make you more comfortable and excited for your next adventure! 

Intro to Backpacking

Have you ever been interested in learning about what backpacking is all about? Have you ever wondered why is it popular, how do people get into it, where do they go, what do they need, is it possible to backpack and still be comfortable out there? Come to this class and get these questions answered so you can get ready for your first backpacking trip of the season.

Upon completion of this class, participants will:

• Learn about what backpacking is and why it is a popular outdoor activity 
• Learn about the gear and supplies needed to backpack effectively and comfortably while also creatively thinking of substitutions they have that can be used in place of high-end/expensive gear.
• Learn how to effectively pack a backpack 
• Learn about local areas that will be good spots for your first backpacking trip and what time of year is the best to visit these location 
• Get hands on practice with packing a backpack 

Hey folks!

This meeting will be dedicated to updating the Constitution and Bylaws. The Current working documents are linked below, and these documents will be updated as they are approved by Hoofer Council and Exec. 

It is essential to update the Constitution and Bylaws every few years to make sure the governing documents are representative of the current practices of the club. This hasn't been done in four years, so there are more updates and changes that need to be made. Also since then, there has been a change in the title of the VP position, the creation of a new VP, and the creation of a new Board: the Instruction Board. Because of this, there are significant changes to various areas of the Bylaws. Please feel free to make comments on the documents below with your thoughts and any edits that you see fit. 

Constitution: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JHE4_pfZN1ppGAAunNKDPQV8bz3bLkJDXEC8gwYnMas/edit?usp=sharing 

Bylaws: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vyRX11tJY7wUsqA32LBvfm92uw8hbJpnd4VbvTgXcjg/edit?usp=sharing 

 

 

Join us every Tuesday night for our Hoofer Outing Club general meeting! These are free to the public, and we meet in the Mendota Lodge in Memorial Union at 7pm (near the Lakefront and Outdoor UW office). We will be telling stories of recent trips, discussing upcoming events, and getting to know each other. Our meetings are open to all who wish to be involved in the outdoors! See you there!

No registration is required!  

 

How to get there:

The General Meetings are typically in the Mendota Lodge in Memorial Union. This room is across from the Outdoor UW desk in the basement of the Union. To find it I would recommend either using Union doors right by the 80 bus stop, walking down a full level to the Wheelhouse, then taking the long hallway that will start with brown wallpaper and transitions to blue; the Mendota Lodge will be the last room on your left. You can also access it from the terrace if you walk inside the doors to the Union right by the wood staircase that goes onto the lake; the Mendota lodge will be the first room on your right.

Hello Hoofers!! This year we are hosting our first ever Outing Leader Appreciation Prom! This is an event to dress up, make new friends, discuss trips, show our love for our leaders, and HAVE FUN! All outing leaders, exec, instruction, and activity boards, as well as anyone interested in becoming a leader are strongly encouraged to attend, although the event is open to anyone. Dinner will be included, and dressing in "prom" attire is encouraged but not required. If you'd like to add an "outing" or "trail" spin on your outfit (like hiking boots, a buff, a paddle, etc) I think it'd be fun, and we'll have a little photo booth to take pictures. 

Location will be in Memorial Union, room TBD. Update will be sent out once we know the room. 

Nominate your fav leaders for prom royalty!! Fill out the form below to show your love to any leaders you think need a shoutout

https://forms.gle/XCa6vSa5cQPMNSwy6

You may bring a plus one, but you must add their name to the spreadsheet below:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1m2cepotaafOniINE8mEbZSocD4cQs8jTpNSCm7Fem-Y/edit?usp=sharing

If you have any dietary restrictions, please add to this list:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QIQ9Btg1UBKAvDaH1aM94zkIaRIqkWRl39VrnVLU3EQ/edit?usp=sharing

***This event is free but you MUST sign up/ add your name (and your plus one's name) to the spreadsheet! The sooner the better so I can get a rough headcount***

questions? email instruction@hooferouting.org

Hey folks!

Join us every Tuesday night for our Hoofer Outing Club general meeting! These are free to the public, and we meet in the Mendota Lodge in Memorial Union at 7pm (near the Lakefront and Outdoor UW office). We will be telling stories of recent trips, discussing upcoming events, and getting to know each other. Our meetings are open to all who wish to be involved in the outdoors! See you there!

No registration is required!  

 

How to get there:

The General Meetings are typically in the Mendota Lodge in Memorial Union. This room is across from the Outdoor UW desk in the basement of the Union. To find it I would recommend either using Union doors right by the 80 bus stop, walking down a full level to the Wheelhouse, then taking the long hallway that will start with brown wallpaper and transitions to blue; the Mendota Lodge will be the last room on your left. You can also access it from the terrace if you walk inside the doors to the Union right by the wood staircase that goes onto the lake; the Mendota lodge will be the first room on your right.

I'm planniing to lead a wilderness canoe trip in Ontario, Canada this summer.

I have some ideas on potental places to go, but efore finalizing the dates and exact location of the trip I'd like to meet to get input from potential participants. We'll discuss topics such as the following:

• Timing - whether we go early or late in the season can impact prevailing weather, water levels, water temperatures, bugs, blueberries, etc.
• Duration - do people want to go for 1 week, 2 weeks, or more?
• Cost constraints - options for loop/no shuttle trip, run our own shuttle, hire an outfitter to run shuttle, take train in/out, float planes
• Difficulty of whitewater and portages
• Interests/priorities - e.g. fishing, geology, history, hiking, cooking, etc. 

We'll meet in the Mendota Lodge immediately after the Hoofer Outing Club general meeting. If you can't make it to this meeting, feel free to call or email me your input.

Note, I'll also be looking for a co-leader or Leader-in-Training for the trip.

This American Red Cross class equips students with the knowledge necessary to recognize and care for a variety of first aid, breathing, and cardiac emergencies involving adults. Upon successful completion, a valid 2-year digital certificate for Adult First Aid/CPR/AED is issued.

Participants are not required to bring anything to class. However, it may be beneficial to wear clothes that are easy to move in, and you can bring a notebook and pencil if you'd like. 

This class is perfect for any Hoofer wanting to recreate in the outdoors, and is a great supplement to your Wilderness First Aid course which does not include a CPR portion. (and might I mention it can be done at a reduced cost, 60% off regular price of the class!!) 

Description: The Wilderness First Responder (WFA) is a 16-hour certification course that will help you prepare for unexpected medical emergencies in wilderness settings. This fast-paced, hands-on training is designed to meet the needs of trip leaders, camp staff, outdoor enthusiasts, and individuals working in remote locations. It will introduce you to caring for people who become ill or injured far from definitive medical care.Classroom lectures and demonstrations are combined with realistic scenarios where mock patients will challenge you to integrate your learning. At the end of the course, you’ll have the knowledge, skills, and ability to make sound decisions in emergency situations. You will also leave the course with a certification that is valid for two years from the date of the course. The course is hosted by OutdoorUW and taught by seasoned NOLS instructors in a two-day format, from 8:00 AM-5:00 PM. Learning takes place both in the classroom and in outdoor settings regardless of weather conditions, so come prepared for wet, muddy, cold, or hot environments. To learn more about the curriculum please visit: https://www.nols.edu/en/wilderness-medicine/courses/

Should I take the WFA or the WFR? The WFA is a two-day course that primarily focuses on the basics of how to respond to an emergency situation in a remote area. This is perfect for people who are on remote day hikes or shorter trips with friends. This class really focuses on the Patient Assessment System and how to start making decisions on patient care. The WFR is a 10 -day long course that is the industry standard for outdoor professionals with outdoor schools and guide companies..https://www.nols.edu/en/about/wilderness-medicine/

Location: Primary classroom will be held at Memorial Union in Madison-800 Langdon Street. We are not able to offer housing or camping for this course. There are hotels and hostels available nearby. Food is not provided but is available for purchase in the building and at nearby locations to Memorial Union. There is a refrigerator and microwave to chill and warm food. https://info.wisc.edu/plan-your-visit/ 

Register below, call, or stop in the office if there are any questions about this course. Office hours are posted at https://union.wisc.edu/events-and-activities/outdoor-uw/. For additional information or questions about this certification course please contact Dan Dunne 608-262-7445 ddunne@wisc.edu 

Hoofer Club Leader Scholarship/Grant: If you are a current Hoofer club member and are hoping to take on more leadership within your club you may qualify for a scholarship/grant to offset the cost of this course. Please submit your application as soon as possible by applying through the links on hooferleaders.org. If you are awarded the scholarship/grant you will receive a follow-up email with directions on how to register for the course using a discount code.      

* Several spots on this course will be reserved for Hoofer members. These spots will be released to the general public 1 month before the course start date *

There is a Wilderness First Aid course that is being offered through Outdoor UW. Check out the link here for more information!  https://members.hoofers.org/event/89172

This American Red Cross class equips students with the knowledge necessary to recognize and care for a variety of first aid, breathing, and cardiac emergencies involving adults. Upon successful completion, a valid 2-year digital certificate for Adult First Aid/CPR/AED is issued.

Participants are not required to bring anything to class. However, it may be beneficial to wear clothes that are easy to move in, and a notebook and pencil if you would like! 

This class is perfect for any Hoofer wanting to recreate in the outdoors, and is a great supplement to your Wilderness First Aid course which does not include a CPR portion. (and might I mention it can be done at a reduced cost, 60% off regular price of the class!!)

Join Outdoor UW for their new Outdoor Explorer Series.  Learn and practice a new skill that will make you more comfortable and excited for your next adventure! 

Intro to Bikepacking

Get on your bike and ride… and adventure! Learn about the skills and equipment necessary to comfortably take your first bikepacking trip. Confidently travel under your own pedal power for an exhilarating adventure. 

Upon completion of this class, participants will:

• Learn about what bikepacking is
• Be familiar with a few local bikepacking areas
• Understand what gear is needed and how to properly pack
• Know how to properly eat and drink on a bikepacking trip

Hey folks!

Join us every Tuesday night for our Hoofer Outing Club general meeting! These are free to the public, and we meet in the Mendota Lodge in Memorial Union at 7pm (near the Lakefront and Outdoor UW office). We will be telling stories of recent trips, discussing upcoming events, and getting to know each other. Our meetings are open to all who wish to be involved in the outdoors! See you there!

No registration is required!  

 

How to get there:

The General Meetings are typically in the Mendota Lodge in Memorial Union. This room is across from the Outdoor UW desk in the basement of the Union. To find it I would recommend either using Union doors right by the 80 bus stop, walking down a full level to the Wheelhouse, then taking the long hallway that will start with brown wallpaper and transitions to blue; the Mendota Lodge will be the last room on your left. You can also access it from the terrace if you walk inside the doors to the Union right by the wood staircase that goes onto the lake; the Mendota lodge will be the first room on your right.

Hey Hoofers!

We will be taking a long weekend trip to Newport State Park in Door County! If you are looking for a weekend full of stargazing, hiking, and camping this is the trip for you!

The general plan is to meet at Memorial Union at 4 on Thursday, pack up cars and head to the park. Friday we will hang out at the park, hike, play games, etc. There will be an option to head to Peninsula State Park in the afternoon. Saturday we will take the ferry to Washington Island! There are beaches, museums, and even a Norwegian Church we can check out while we are there! This park is a designated dark sky park so at night we will be doing plenty of star gazing. On Sunday we will pack up and head to Cave Point county park for some more hiking! We will arrive back to Memorial Union around 5pm on Sunday. 
 

There will be a car that leaves Friday afternoon and one that leaves early Sunday if this fits your schedule better!

The cost will be $60 and includes the campsite, food, gas and state park passes. If you choose to go to Washington Island it will be an additional $20.

Hope to see you all there!

The Social Sustainability Coalition is a group on campus whose mission is to lead meaningful events and conversations about the intersectionality of sustainability with social justice and equity. At this event, participants will learn how to dye materials using natural alternatives rather than toxic chemicals that are associated with synthetic dyes. The natural dyes workshop is intended to be a fun and relaxing event in which participants can practice expressing sustainability in a different and creative manner, and connect with others through the learning experience.

Get involved this Earth Day week with an invasive species cleanup in the Muir Woods. This is part of a larger effort of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve to restore the over 300-acre woodlands on campus to healthy and biodiverse habitats. Participants will get hands-on experience identifying and trimming invasive woody species and enjoy time outdoors in the Muir Woods, located off of the Lakeshore Path. Snacks will be provided at the conclusion of the event back at the Union. Participants should expect to wear appropriate clothing for working outdoors, such as closed-toed shoes and long pants. They will meet at Memorial Union by the Outdoor UW desk and then walk to Lot 34 where a coordinator from the Lakeshore Nature Preserve will help participants identify different plant species and guide them in cutting and piling the plants.

Stay tuned for the first annual Trash Dash competition! PRIZES TO BE WON!

Have you ever wondered how you can travel and camp in the backcountry in the most harmless way possible?

Do you aspire to have those who follow your path have NO IDEA you were ever there?

Learn how to truly become a backcountry ninja by embracing the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace through this Leave No Trace Trainer Certificate course.

This is the way.

-------

This LNT Trainer Certificate Course requires all participants to “camp out” in tents overnight to demonstrate low-impact camping techniques. The focus is on the LNT principles and less on “how to camp”, therefore, it is recommended that participants have some knowledge of camping (even if this is classroom-based). As part of the course, participants will also be asked to teach, educate, and evaluate each other in one of the 7 LNT Principles. The cost of this course includes 3 simple “camp” meals, snacks, and LNT materials. This course is a combination of indoor and outdoor lecture/discussion, practical application, and reflection on your own developing ethic when it comes to the Leave No Trace curriculum. Please bring any basic camping equipment that you have and want to use as well as your own personal gear (clothing, toilettes, etc). We will provide all “group gear” (tents, stoves, etc). As we get closer to the course we will reach out and see what additional gear people may need to borrow for the overnight camp (such as sleeping bag, pads, etc). Topics covered on this course include:

• The Seven Principles of Leave No Trace
• The history of land conservation and public wilderness protection in the U.S. 
• Individual learning styles 
• Outdoor teaching techniques 
• The authority of the resource 
• Reflections on your own personal LNT ethics.

A Leave No Trace Trainer Certificate will be issued to each participant at the end of this training which will allow you to utilize LNT online resources and teach LNT Awareness Courses in the future.    

Prerequisites: N/A.

Previous participants of Outdoor Explorer Series classes are eligible for the discounted registration fee for this course.

Questions registering? Please email ddunne@wisc.edu, or call 608-262-7445

If you anticipate using a FLEET/DOA VEHICLE to tow a Hoofer owned trailer at any point this fall or winter, then attend this class to get your trailer towing certification! This would include towing a sailboat for lift-out, towing the horse trailer, towing the alpine ski trailer or possibly towing the outing club canoe trailer. Please note that if there someone that cannot make this class, there will be other training offered in the future, however we do not have those dates/times available. FLEET AUTHORIZATION WITH WISCONSIN HOOFERS IS REQUIRED. Please visit hooferleaders.org if you are fleet authorized with another UW department and need authorization with Hoofers. There is no cost for the class.

We will meet virtually at the start of the course 11:30am to 12pm. We will be meeting at LOT 60 (by the UW Hospital) to perform the hands-on portion of the training from 1 to 3pm. Dress for being outside.

Hey folks!

Join us every Tuesday night for our Hoofer Outing Club general meeting! These are free to the public, and we meet in the Mendota Lodge in Memorial Union at 7pm (near the Lakefront and Outdoor UW office). We will be telling stories of recent trips, discussing upcoming events, and getting to know each other. Our meetings are open to all who wish to be involved in the outdoors! See you there!

No registration is required!  

 

How to get there:

The General Meetings are typically in the Mendota Lodge in Memorial Union. This room is across from the Outdoor UW desk in the basement of the Union. To find it I would recommend either using Union doors right by the 80 bus stop, walking down a full level to the Wheelhouse, then taking the long hallway that will start with brown wallpaper and transitions to blue; the Mendota Lodge will be the last room on your left. You can also access it from the terrace if you walk inside the doors to the Union right by the wood staircase that goes onto the lake; the Mendota lodge will be the first room on your right.

Trail Building on the Ice Age Trail! No experience necessary!!

WE WILL BE MEETING AT THE MEMORIAL UNION Parking Circle at 1:00PM on Friday, driving 3 hours to the Rib Lake segment of the IAT. We'll car camp Friday night, volunteer on Saturday from 8:00am to 4:30pm, car camp Saturday night, and  volunteer from 8:00am to 12:00pm on Sunday, then driving 3 hours back to Madison.

We'll also have a pre-trip meeting at some point before 4/18.

Before you show up on Friday, PLEASE DO THE FOLLOWING:

1. COMPLETE THE Volunteer Service Agreement form (if you haven't done so already) AND EMAIL IT TO Daniel_Watson@nps.gov
2. BRING/WEAR:
   1. WATER
   2. HAT
   3. LONG SLEEVE SHIRT
   4. LONG PANTS
   5. LEATHER WORK GLOVES
   6. RAIN GEAR
   7. MUD BOOTS or HIKING BOOTS (not tennis shoes)
   8. Please email trailbuilding@hooferouting.org if you are unable to get any of these
3. BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH/snacks for SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, and/or eat before departure
4. Be prepared to Venmo a few dollars for gas
5. Get stoked for an awesome day of volunteering!!

Additionally, if you're interested in this trip and able to drive/fleet certified, please let us know at trailbuilding@hooferouting.org!! It would allow us to take more people!