By Sophie Lange, News Editor
Beginning in May, Campus Recreation will manage the climbing facility in the Jaeger Center, known as the Den. Previously, the Garthwait Leadership Center (GLC) ran both the 35-foot climbing tower and bouldering wall. GLC Executive Director Andy Hughes emphasized that this transition will not limit any current usage of these facilities and that the change in leadership will create more opportunities for indoor climbing.
Hughes explained that “the primary reasons for the change are: 1) To create more recreational indoor climbing activities for students and community members, 2) to increase student use and ownership of the Den, 3) to focus the GLC’s activities on outdoor climbing in addition to backpacking and sea kayaking, and 4) to [enhance] the offerings of Campus Recreation in the Jaeger Center.”
Director of Campus Recreation and Wellness Annette Hunt-Shepherd shared that although Campus Recreation’s approach to recreational and experiential education differs from the GLC, the operation of the Den itself will remain largely the same.
Hunt-Shepherd emphasized that “under Campus Recreation the Den climbing areas will be an inclusive space that provides a physical outlet that will encourage social-emotional engagement positively contributing to the overall wellbeing of all students and campus community.”
According to Hughes, Campus Recreation is looking to hire a student coordinator for the Den this month. Hunt-Shepherd will be supervising this process.
