OLYMPIA, Wash. – After months of hard work from The Outdoor Program staff, Evergreen is excited to announce the opening of the new and revamped challenge course on the campus of The Evergreen State College.

The course, which includes over 12 low-element team challenges as well as four high elements, is designed for groups that are looking to build teamwork, communication and problem solving while having fun at the same time.  Take a “leap of faith” 40 feet off the ground and swing on a trapeze, speed down the 500 foot double zip line, play around on the vertical playpen, and use teamwork to defeat the giant’s ladder in an action-packed day of excitement!

“The TOP program, led by student coordinator Rob Healy and his throng of staff and SOS students Dave Robb and Conner Abdelnoor were the driving factors in the establishment and rebuilding of the course,” said recreation coordinator Chris Ertman. “Interns and SOS students spent hours upon hours in the rain, snow, sleet, and hail every day clearing trails, building challenges, removing homeless encampments and excess trash until the project was complete.”

The course is ACCT (Association of Challenge Course Technology) certified and many of the elements were built from fallen trees from our very own evergreen forest and most of the materials were recycled from the old course that was closed down in 2005.

Trained facilitators will guide your group in progressive challenges, making sure your group gets the most out of every experience.  If you have an end goal or desire, our facilitators can develop a program specific to meet your group’s needs.

There are a variety of packages available, ranging from three-hour sessions all the way to full day and overnight experiences.  We are now taking reservations and are offering a special June discount for all Academic programs that want to break up the end of the school year slump.

For more information, including to make a reservation, please contact Chris Ertman at ertmanc@evergreen.edu or 360-867-6520.

OLYMPIA, Wash. – In recognition of The Evergreen State College’s 40th anniversary, the Evergreen State College has announced the inaugural class of the Recreation and Athletics Hall of Fame.  The first four, who will be formally inducted on May 18, are Sarah Applegate ’92, Mike Denoyer ’75, Pete Steilberg and Willi Unsoeld.

The inaugural class was chosen specifically to embody the history of recreation and athletics at Evergreen. These four individuals left unique legacies and it is fair to say that the recreational and athletic opportunities at Evergreen would not be the same, or even existent, without their footprints.

From taking on the administrative role of forming a recreational and intercollegiate athletics program at Evergreen to being a member of the founding faculty to providing countless students with a once-in-a-lifetime experience to being the first ever All-American in school history, these four represent what we hope recreation and athletics will be at Evergreen for the foreseeable future.

Sarah Applegate ’92, MiT ’95 – The first All-American in school history, she swam for the Geoducks while earning both her undergraduate and graduate degreees at Evergreen.  Currently the librarian at River Ridge High School in Lacey, she was awarded a Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching grant to study school libraries in Finland.

Mike Denoyer ’75 – Among the first graduates in Evergreen history, owns and operates Grand Canyon Expeditions, offering expeditions down the Colorado River for many years.

Pete Steilberg – Considered by most to be the father of recreation and athletics at The Evergreen State College.  Former director of recreation and athletics and cross country coach. Retired in 1999.

Willi Unsoeld – Founding faculty member at The Evergreen State College. Part of first American expedition to summit Mount Everest, reaching the peak on May 22, 1963. Died in an avalanche during a winter climb of Mount Rainier in March 1979.

For information regarding the Evergreen Recreation and Athletics Hall of Fame, including how to nominate future honorees, visit http://evergreen.edu/athletics/halloffame/.