Looking to touch up on your gear repair skills? Join us for our completely free gear repair workshop and brunch!

Our amazing leaders Caroline (Water Safety Chair), Alex (Trail-Building Co-chair), and Daniel (Gear Manager) will be sharing their skills and experiences with us in a very tasty setting. This will include sewing repairs, sewing equipment from scratch, patchwork, stove anatomy, and more! We will also be repairing personal and Hoofers gear so feel free to bring your hole-filled clothing. 

The workshop will be somewhere in Memorial Union (room TBD) from 10am-12pm.

MEET @ 8AM @ MEM U PARKING CIRCLE!!! Please bring SNACKS, WATER, CLOSED-TOE SHOES, LONG PANTS, and, most importantly, SOME SERIOUS STOKEEEE. If you let us know @ trailbuilding@hooferouting.org that you can drive, we can bring more people and we will love you forever.

I am a sick tree, I am a spiteful tree, I am an unattractive tree . . . I am a boxelder tree.

I think there's something fundamentally flawed about me—I'm structurally unsound, extremely vulnerable to storms, and attract tons of boxelder bugs. I'll also grow anywhere—I'm possibly one of the most prolific invasive trees since suburbanization. It's like I can't make up my mind whether I want to live or die. Still, I refuse to change, purely out of spite. I'd rather grow everywhere, very fast, and moan about my unhappiness to anyone who'll listen.

I find a sick sort of satisfaction in spreading my misery everywhere I go. Even as I slowly die, I taunt the unborn trees I edged out of the ecosystem. As the boxelder bugs munch away at my leaves, slowly starving me, and slowly grow to the other trees that dare grow around me, I laugh and moan and- CREAK. I love when everyone near me flinches at that sound. Who knew one's own misery could be so entertaining.

Sometimes, I'll see some young foals prancing near my rivers, exuberant—almost showing off their health and wellness. It makes me sick. I like to lure those unsuspecting fools over with the promise of cool shades. Then, when they eventually begin to nibble at my seeds, I wait as the protoxin within them slowly destroys their muscles and brains and cackle.

I hate it here—or maybe I don't. I'm a drain on ecosystems—literally—or maybe they're the ones hurting me. Perhaps you should learn more on 12/3 from Trout Unlimited before making up your mind...

Come chat with the Hoofer Council President! Whether you have questions, concerns, ideas, or Hoofer highlights to share, drop by the Outdoor UW Leader Lounge (B105, located across from Mendota Lodge in the lower level of Memorial Union - ask the front desk staff if you're having trouble locaing it).

Weekly Office Hours:

Monday

• 11 AM to 2 PM

Tuesday

• 12 PM to 2 PM

Wednesday

• 11 AM to 2 PM

Thursday

• 11 AM to 1 PM

Who:  Hoofers Outing Club.
What: Come to house to listen to Christmas music and eat a little food, drink a little mulled cider, and eat a little chili.  Oh yeah and decorate some cookies!
Where: My house in Middleton.  Please e-mail me for directions!
When: Saturday December 9th starting at 2:00 and going till about 10:00 or a little later. Come and go as you wish, come for a while, go out skiing/ snowshoeing (We can wish, can't we?) and come back.
Why:  Do we really need a reason??

Bring something small to share if you would like.  I will be supplying cookies, cookie dough, and decorating supplies.  I will also have
a venison dish, and some hot cider. There will be a bonfire outside!
Oh yeah, I want to avoid paper plates and plastic utensils and plastic cups if I can.  I want to try something different this time.  Bring your own mug for cider, bowl for chili, and spoon for eating.  Kinda like you were camping.  Don't worry if you forget, I do have dishes.

Happy Holidays!

Pool session season is back! The swimming pool at the Nick is warm, clean, and a perfect place to kickstart your paddling journey and endeavors! During the off season the pool is a great place to learn and continue practicing your kayaking skills.  Instructors can provide the Whitewater Kayak Orientation (R0), Sea Kayak Orientation (SK0), and swim test to those who need to fulfill these basic requirements (please be sure to let us know what you’re interested in doing ahead of the session so we can work out the instructional logistics). The pool is also a great place to learn or refine your roll, practice bracing, or experiment with new rescues. This event is open to any and all skill levels.

Sign-up and Payment: Sessions are $13 to cover the cost of the pool rental. You will be prompted to pay online when you sign-up. Otherwise, you may pay with cash/card in the Outdoor UW office, and they will manually add you to the event. If this event is full, sign up on the Kayak Pool Session - Waitlist event. If space opens up, I’ll move you over to this event.  There are a limited number of instructor slots available for experienced club members (in which case you will not need to pay to attend, but you will be expected to help provide instruction for other members); if you are interested in instructing, please sign up on the corresponding instructor event.  

Clothing: Bring swimwear, a towel, change of clothes, and nose plugs and goggles if you have them (handy when you are upside down). Avoid cotton clothes to your best ability (warm-when-wet synthetic material is your best bet). Also, full-toe foot protection is advisable as this is what you would wear when you're paddling on rivers/lakes, although it's not mandatory for pool sessions.

Logistics: Meet at Memorial Union inside the Outdoor UW boathouse by 4pm. We will then organize which boats/gear we are taking and carry them out to the cars. Once we have all the gear and people packed, we will drive to the pool at the Nick. We will briefly park near the Soderholm Family Aquatic Entrance (at the northeast corner of the building) and walk our boats and gear directly to the diving well, before parking the cars in a nearby ramp. The Nick has locker rooms where you can store your stuff and shower (please rinse off before entering the pool). The group will likely be split into groups, i.e. “Whitewater Kayak Orientation,” “Sea Kayaking Orientation,” or “Rolling Lesson”. Some more experienced members may practice their skills in the pool on their own. Any swim tests will occur at the beginning of the session. We have the diving well reserved from 5:00-7:00pm, so we will aim to start getting out of the water around 6:45pm. We need to be completely departed from the pool area by 7:00pm. Please plan to stay until 7:30pm to help pack up boats/gear and return them to the boathouse.

Please note that once you sign up (and pay), we cannot give you a refund unless someone else on the list can go and pay.  If you volunteer to drive boats or people but discover you can no longer attend the event, please provide as much advance notice as possible to ensure that we make alternative arrangements.  

If you have any questions or concerns at all, email Rose Eisenmenger (canoeing@hooferouting.org). 

This is the sign-up list for those interested in becoming instructors for the corresponding pool session.  Instructors will not need to pay the registration fee for the event, but they are expected to help provide instruction for other members during the session (for example you may need to administer a swim test, teach a beginner lesson, or provide guidance for those learning to brace or roll). Thus, instructors should have at least a quietwater leader rating with the club, or else at least an R2 or SK1 skill rating and confidence in teaching on-water skills. 

In order to maintain balance among the participant slots (and our budget) we are limiting the preliminary instructor sign-ups for this season to four instructors per session.  Another instructor slot or two may be added closer to the event based on the interests indicated by registered participants.  

If you have any questions, please contact Rose Eisenmenger (canoeing@hooferouting.org). 

Come chat with the Hoofer Council President! Whether you have questions, concerns, ideas, or Hoofer highlights to share, drop by the Outdoor UW Leader Lounge (B105, located across from Mendota Lodge in the lower level of Memorial Union - ask the front desk staff if you're having trouble locaing it).

Weekly Office Hours:

Monday

• 11 AM to 2 PM

Tuesday

• 12 PM to 2 PM

Wednesday

• 11 AM to 2 PM

Thursday

• 11 AM to 1 PM

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! 

Join us at our introductionary bear saftey course to learn the difference between black and brown bears, how to safly travel in bear county, and more. This course will help provide you with a bear saftey toolkit to make you more confident and safe while traveling in bear country. 

The Hoofer Outing Club will be hosting a fireside relaxation event for students heading into finals. The goal of this event is to offer a space for students to disconnect from academics both physically and mentally to recharge their attention and focus heading into final exams. On Thursday, December 14^th, we will be at Fire Circle #2 out on Picnic Point from 9am-3pm with a cozy arrangement of blankets, seat pads, hot drinks, and a warm fire. We will be providing hot water and have a limited amount of apple cider mix, hot chocolate mix, and tea bags. We want to warmly welcome you and your students to join us for a minute, an hour, or all day.

Who: Hoofer Outing Club (Host), Invited Organizations: Hoofer Clubs, Wisconsin Union Directorate, Multicultural Student Center, Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Center for Leadership and Involvement, and We Outside. (let me know if there are other organizations you think we should invite)   

What: Warm Fire and Hot Drinks

When: Thursday, December 14^th, 9am-3pm

Where: Picnic Point Fire Circle #2

Why: Getting away from screens and getting into nature can help refresh our ability to focus and process information. The rhythmic movement and sounds of a fire can be relaxing and comforting during stressful times.

FAQ

1. Does this cost anything? No, this is a free event. Optional costs might include: renting a B-Cycle, bringing your own hot drink/mix, paying for parking.
2. What should I bring? Dress warm and keep an eye out for the weather on that day, depending on the number of people present will determine how close you can get to the fire. In an effort to reduce waste, bringing your own mug or container to hold a hot drink is recommended but not necessary
3. Is it rude if I come, drink a quick cup of something hot, and leave? Not at all. All are welcome, enjoy the time and space to your comfort level. Stay for a minute, an hour, or all day! Take some good vibes with you when you go.
4. Who is this guy, Pete Buscaino? A little bit about me – I am the advisor for the Hoofer Outing and Hoofer Riding Club. I am originally from Clearwater, FL. I moved up to Madison, WI in the summer of 2019 and have been working at the UW since the Fall of 2021. I am passionate about helping students, getting people outside, and the mental health benefits of nature! I enjoy being a dad, gardening, reading, carpentry, teaching, and spending time out of doors. My partner, myself, and our daughter live on the near eastside of Madison in the S.A.S.Y. neighborhood.  
5. Do I need to sign up or register to attend? Registration is not necessary to attend.
6. Who do I contact if I have questions? Please email Pete at pbuscaino@wisc.edu

Description: The Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course is a 10-day long 80-hour course taught by NOLS Wilderness Medicine. The WFR course is designed to provide you with the tools to make critical medical and evacuation decisions in remote locations. Classroom lectures and demonstrations are combined with realistic scenarios where mock patients will challenge you to integrate your learning. Learning takes place both in the classroom and in outdoor settings regardless of weather conditions. Come prepared for wet, muddy, cold, or hot environments. Prerequisites: No previous first aid training is required. You must be 16 years old to attend this course. Certification: Participants are required to pass both written and practical examinations to obtain WFR and CPR certification. Successful course completion earns you a WMI Adult & Child CPR certification and a WMI Wilderness First Responder certification. EMTs will earn a Wilderness EMT certification. All certifications are current for two years.

Should I take the WFR or WFA? 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 an industry standard for outdoor professionals with outdoor schools and guide companies. If you are leading a group in remote areas, this more advanced WFR training can provide you with more in-depth knowledge and practice dealing with a variety of first aid situations. https://www.nols.edu/en/about/wilderness-medicine/

Location: Primary classroom will be held at Memorial Union on 800 Langdon Street in Madison. 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/ 

* 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 *

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.      

THIS TRIP WILL LIKELY BE EXPANDED. IF YOU DO NOT GET A SPOT INITIALLY, PLEASE SIGN UP FOR THE WAITLIST, AS ADDITIONAL CABINS MAY BE RESERVED.

Waitlist Link: https://members.hoofers.org/event/101882

Howdy Y'all!

We are headed back up to the famed Delta Lodge this January for the most iconic HOC winter trip! We will be leaving at around noon on Thursday, January 11th and returning the evening of Monday, January 15th. 

This is a XC ski and snowshoe focused trip. We'll have three days of winter sports fun up in the Northwoods on a variety of trails, including the After Hours Ski Trail, Mt Valhalla, Mt. Ashwabay and the The Birkie Trail. We will also be playing a lot of board games, sauna-ing, and gallivanting all around in the frozen north.

No XC ski or snowshoe experience required! No gear required either, we will provide that (you can also bring your own, though!).

Important logistic information:

• Transportation: we hope to use people's personal vehicles for this trip. If you have a car and would be willing to drive (you will be reimbursed for gas!), please indicate this in the google form/questionnaire. We need a lot of drivers to be able to bring all our HOC friends!
• Cost: 
  • The first deposit ($190) will be due through the website. This will be used to cover the housing and food.
  • The second deposit ($60) will be due immediateley following regisration. Payment can be sent to Ben (Venmo: @BenJohnson01), please DO NOT check "Paying for goods or a service", this will charge an extra fee. This will be used to cover gas and any other expenses.
  • Also, you will need cash for a trail pass ($5/day in five dollar bills), and money for meals on the road (and two meals at a diner/restaurant on-site).
• Lodging: We will be staying in up to three cabins at Delta Lodge in Iron River, WI. 

If you are interested in coming on this trip, please sign up for this event, AND fill out this mandatory questionnaire. Also, please consider being a driver on this trip, it can't happen without it!

We are so excited for this trip! Email snowshoe@hooferouting.org or xcski@hooferouting.org if you have any questions.

THIS IS THE WAITLIST FOR DELTA LODGE 2024.

For each additional 8 people that sign up for this event, an additional cabin will be reserved at Delta Lodge.

Main Event Link: https://events.hooferouting.org/event/101849.

Main Event Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1L5kN1f18qDfYi7ZBgz7yWG2FcLoexW3g2Y__DZysRDg/.

Description: The Wilderness First Responder Recertification (WFR-Recert) course is a 3-day 24-hour course taught by NOLS Wilderness Medicine specifically to recertify participants who are currently holding a Wilderness First Responder Certification. The WFR-Recert course is designed to refresh your skills and knowledge in making critical medical and evacuation decisions in remote locations. Classroom lectures and demonstrations are combined with realistic scenarios where mock patients will challenge you to integrate your learning. Learning takes place both in the classroom and in outdoor settings regardless of weather conditions. Come prepared for wet, muddy, cold, or hot environments.

Prerequisites: You must be currently holding a Wilderness First Responder Certification or in your 1-year grace period. You must be 16 years old to attend this course.

Certification: Participants are required to pass both written and practical examinations to obtain WFR and CPR certification. Successful course completion earns you a WMI Adult & Child CPR certification and a WMI Wilderness First Responder certification. EMTs will earn a Wilderness EMT certification. All certifications are current for two years.

Location: Primary classroom will be held at Memorial Union on 800 Langdon Street in Madison. 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/ 

* 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 *

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.      

More info coming soon!

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 someone cannot make this class, other trailer trainings will be offered in the future. Outdoor UW plans on running two trainings each semester. FLEET AUTHORIZATION WITH WISCONSIN HOOFERS IS REQUIRED. If you are fleet authorized with another UW department, you must submit paperwork with our office as well to become fleet authorized with Hoofers. There is no cost for the class. We will meet virtually before the in-person driving demonstration to get started and review the basics. After a short presentation, we will be leaving our meeting location to go to LOT 60 (by the UW Hospital) to perform the hands-on portion of the training—dress for being outside.

Previous experience driving a trailer is not required for this training, however, it is helpful as the in-person section doesn't provide much time to practice but instead is mostly meant to demonstrate skills and ability to drive a vehicle with a trailer. 

If there are questions please reach out to Dan @ ddunne@wisc.edu. A Zoom link for the virtual component of this training will be sent to participants who are registered the day before the event.

Who/What: MWOLC is a student-run outdoor leadership conference that occurs each year; the event is for students, by students. The weekend conference consists of skill-development and informational workshops, networking opportunities, career exploration, and fun activities.This conference is an opportunity for undergraduate students interested in the field of outdoor recreation and education to unite and learn from each other, developing their leadership and technical skills, while making connections with others that may influence their future careers or hobbies. 

When: March 1-3, 2024

Where: Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center | N194 County Rd N, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

More Info: Please visit our website https://midwestolc.wixsite.com/mwolc

Who/What: MWOLC is a student-run outdoor leadership conference that occurs each year; the event is for students, by students. The weekend conference consists of skill-development and informational workshops, networking opportunities, career exploration, and fun activities.This conference is an opportunity for undergraduate students interested in the field of outdoor recreation and education to unite and learn from each other, developing their leadership and technical skills, while making connections with others that may influence their future careers or hobbies. 

When: March 1-3, 2024

Where: Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center | N194 County Rd N, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

More Info: Please visit our website https://midwestolc.wixsite.com/mwolc