If you鈥檝e ever felt the pull of Mother Nature, but haven鈥檛 had the guts to rough it in the bush, The AV俱乐部 Outdoors Society (DOS) has your golden ticket to the wilderness of Nova Scotia.
鈥淔or our members, the outdoors holds a very special place in our hearts and is never far from our minds,鈥� says George Kitching, DOS research leader.
The DOS (not to be confused with the ) is committed to getting AV俱乐部 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, 鈥渨hether you鈥檝e grown up with frogs in your pocket and turtles at the kitchen table, or the closest you鈥檝e come to seeing the majestic landscapes of Earth is through the Planet Earth 蝉别谤颈别蝉.鈥�
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, 鈥淥ceans Deep,鈥� 鈥淛ungles,鈥� and 鈥淚ce Worlds.鈥�
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.
鈥淛oining the society will help develop this relationship with nature and is critical to understanding yourself and your place in this world,鈥� 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鈥檚 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 and , and sign up for the emailing list at daloutdoors@gmail.com. New members are always welcome. There鈥檚 a $30 membership fee, but with all the activities DOS does in the great outdoors, it鈥檚 a steal.