Into the wild

If you’ve ever felt the pull of Mother Nature, but haven’t had the guts to rough it in the bush, The Dalhousie Outdoors Society (DOS) has your golden ticket to the wilderness of Nova Scotia.

“For our members, the outdoors holds a very special place in our hearts and is never far from our minds,” says George Kitching, DOS research leader.

The DOS (not to be confused with the Dalhousie Outdoors Crew at Dalplex) is committed to getting Dalhousie students to experience the beautiful outdoors of Nova Scotia. Kitching explains that, beyond the bounds of the society, each member has a relationship with nature, “whether you’ve grown up with frogs in your pocket and turtles at the kitchen table, or the closest you’ve come to seeing the majestic landscapes of Earth is through the Planet Earth series.”

For those who have been living under a rock, the $16-million Planet Earth is the most expensive documentary series ever commissioned by the BBC. It comprises 11 episodes, each of which examines a different biome or habitat on Earth including, “Oceans Deep,” “Jungles,” and “Ice Worlds.”

Members of the DOS recently biked 55km to Crystal Crescent Beach Provincial Park to clean the beach for the World Wildlife Fund Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup.

“Joining the society will help develop this relationship with nature and is critical to understanding yourself and your place in this world,” says Kitching.

So far, the events DOS have held include watching the sunrise at Point Pleasant Park, biking 55km to Crystal Crescent Beach for a beach cleanup (for the World Wildlife Fund Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup), canoeing and camping in Kejimikujik National Park (including spending Thanksgiving weekend there), hiking The Bluff Wilderness Trail, surfing trips, and having a discount night at Mountain Equipment Co-op.

As Nova Scotia’s luscious green summer fades to bright oranges, reds, and yellows, DOS can provide students with a break from studying and an opportunity to work muscles other than the brain.

Though the group meets often, Kitching encourages interested members to constantly check its Facebook page and Tiger society page, and sign up for the emailing list at daloutdoors@gmail.com. New members are always welcome. There’s a $30 membership fee, but with all the activities DOS does in the great outdoors, it’s a steal.