General Information

Contact Info

About the Program

Who May Participate

Cost

Registration

Refunds

Equipment

Trip Ratings

TTE Home Page

SRC Home Page

Touch the Earth Inquiries:
404-413-1772

E-mail:
touchtheearth@gsu.edu

Location:
Student Recreation Center - outside entrance at the back of the building.

Coordinator:
Carson Tortorige

Coordinator Telephone:
404-413-1773

Email:
ctort@gsu.edu

Location:
Room 30, lower level
Student Recreation Center

 

The Touch the Earth outdoor recreation program is designed to be a non-credit instructional program providing beginners and novice participants the opportunity to learn the skills and safety concerns for a wide variety of outdoor activities in a supervised, hands-on environment.

Unless otherwise stated, no prior experience is required and in most cases, all group equipment is provided as well as transportation by passenger van. An experienced staff of volunteer trip leaders provide logistical planning, instruction, leadership, and facilitation for the group's experience.

Some trips are available at an intermediate or experienced level for individuals to progress in their skill acquisition. A moderate level of physical fitness will allow for a more enjoyable experience.

This program is subsidized by the Student Activity Fee and is a great way to learn outdoor skills in a supervised setting, meet people with similar interests and take a break from a busy week in the city. It's inexpensive and fun!

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Georgia State students, faculty, staff and GSU graduates are given first priority for sign-up on all outdoor trips. GSU graduates need to be members of the Student Recreation Center. Faculty and staff do not need to be members.

Each GSU person may register one non-GSU guest who will pay the third price listed. If a trip or clinic has not been filled one week before it starts, other non-GSU persons will be allowed to fill the vacant spaces, paying the third fee amount listed. Minimum age for non-GSU registration is 16 years. Some outings may provide a younger limit if the activity is designated (parent-child).

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Register for Touch the Earth trips by paying the required fee at the Outdoor Equipment Rental Center, Lower Level of the Student Recreation Center-outside entrance at the back of the building. Reservations for trips are confirmed on a first-pay basis. Registration begins on May 5. Bring your GSU Panther Card and be prepared to pay with cash, check or Panther Cash. Please register by the Wednesday before the trip date. Trips typically fill early.

All participants are required to sign a liability waiver form. Information sheets, available at the Rental Center and on the web site, provide trip
logistics. For trips requiring permission of leader call 404/413-1772.

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The first price listed is for current GSU students. The second price listed is for GSU faculty and staff and GSU graduates. (Graduates must be SRC members.) Non-GSU participants pay the third price listed.

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Full refunds are given when trip participants cancel their reservations more than 10 days prior to the date of the trip. No refunds will be awarded for cancellations made less than 10 days prior to the trip or for "no shows".

If a trip or clinic is canceled by the Outdoor Recreation Coordinator for any reason, a total refund or trip credit will be awarded to the participant. All refunds are mailed within a three week period. Credit vouchers may be issued for future registration.

Refunds for Break trips:
Deposits are always non-refundable unless we cancel the trip and any money paid toward the trip balance is not refundable after the pre-trip meeting. All payment deadlines must be met or your trip spot will be canceled and your payments forfeited.

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Backpacking and Hiking trips are rated according to the physical fitness demanded to traverse the terrain of the given trail.

Easy is a relatively flat, soft trail suitable for those in fair to good physical condition.

Moderate encompasses some incline and decline to traverse often on switchbacks** requiring good physical condition.

Strenuous requires very good physical condition due to rugged terrain and switchbacks.

** A switchback is a zigzag trail designed to make traversing a steep grade easier.

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