Cost-efficient activities to enjoy close to campus

College students are often met with empty pockets after dishing out their savings for tuition and books. However, for students who are avid seekers of outdoor activities there are many low-cost options when it comes to finding adventure in Milledgeville.

Students are paying outrageous monthly gym membership fees, amounting to an average of 40 dollars per month, according to the CNBC website.

Georgia College students need not worry about gym memberships because they are not strictly necessary. All students pay a fee that enables them to utilize the Wellness Depot. However, if students wish to venture outdoors for exercise, there are a lot of options in that direction.

Milledgeville is home to many parks and recreation areas, and for students at GC, this is an option. Not only are the parks free to utilize, they are also close to campus.

Rachel Rivera, a graduate student and community health major, enjoys playing disc golf and exercising outdoors. She even considers herself “the master of free things to do.”

If students are in the mood for a sport to play leisurely with friends on a sunny day, disc golf is an option. It is similar to traditional golf, but disc golf uses a flying disc instead of a ball and club.

Disc golf courses can be found in Milledgeville. There is a course on West Campus and another course located on Blandy Road, which is only five minutes driving distance from the college.

If peaceful serenity is desired, Rivera suggests checking out Bartram Forest. The park is dedicated to preserving local wildlife and providing a very earthy feel to its visitors.

Located within Baldwin State Forest, Bartram is located across the street from the Department of Motor Vehicles on Carl Vinson Road. If a ten minute drive from downtown isn’t an issue, Bartram Forest is ideal for a leisurely stroll or jog.

Rivera said that she loves the “all natural, dirt paths” that run throughout the park.

“It’s like my favorite place in Georgia. Anywhere I go, I think, ‘I wish I was at Bartram’,” Rivera said. “I just love it there.”

The serenity of Bartram Forest is what Deborah Hodgins,  junior art major, enjoys taking advantage of.

Hodgins says, while sitting underneath a wooden canopy on a picnic table, that she comes to Bartram Forest to read.

“It’s gorgeous out here,” Hodgins said.

Even though the disc golf courses and Bartram Forest are within a short drive from the GC campus, there is another park within walking distance.

The Oconee River Greenway, located on Hancock Street, offers a variety of inviting amenities.

Whether walking down the scenic path, through the park or fishing off the banks of the Oconee River, visitors can enjoy a peaceful scenic environment.

There are shorter and longer routes available at The Oconee River Greenway. This allows for beginners and advance joggers to both enjoy the paths.

Kelsey Ritter, junior community health major, is athletic minded and runs everyday.

“I love the Greenway because whether I’m in the mood for half a mile or two miles, I can do either,”  Ritter said. “It’s just so workout friendly. It’s really beautiful there.”

Director of the Oconee River Greenway Authority, Dr. Heather Langston said, “It’s peaceful, (and) it’s a place to get away and get some exercise, and the nice thing is, it’s flat, unlike most of Milledgeville.”

The only thing that Langston requests is “that students help us to take care of the park,” asking that they clean up after themselves.

Posted by Lauren Luker on Aug 4 2011. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.