By Serena Cleveland

Do you like Xtreme sports? How about Adventure? The Xtreme Adventure Squad (XAS) offers just that with extreme, adventurous, and fun opportunities for Lyon students every month! This group of thrill-seeking students gathers together for events such as day hiking trips, climbing, canoe float trips, paintball, and cave tours. Wanna hear more about this awesome club?!

XAS was founded in 2004 with Dr. Tim Lindblom as the faculty advisor. The club is funded by annual dues of $5 from each member, the student government, and the Student Activities Council. With the funding, XAS can provide all the gear and equipment needed for each trip the club takes. The club can also loan out any equipment to an individual or groups of students who wish to borrow it for their own camping trips or other activities.

With so many cool opportunities for students, XAS may possibly expand to an actual Outdoor Program with the aid of Jim Harrison. Dr. Lindblom invited Mr. Harrison to speak with students, faculty, and administration about starting an Outdoor Program at Lyon College just like the one he directs at Emory and Henry College in Emory, Virginia. Emory and Henry is a small liberal arts college very similar to Lyon. The Outdoor Program aims to introduce students to “silent sports” or sports that avoid motorized assistance. The program also involves an Outdoor Leadership Program that gives students the opportunity to develop advanced skills and certification.

What else may be in store for XAS in the future? Dr. Lindblom suggests that if the Outdoor Program takes off, Lyon may offer students a broader range of physical education classes. Currently, Lyon offers classes such as tennis and badminton, archery and bowling, and swimming; however, new classes could include more adventurous sports like kayaking.

Dr. Lindblom is certainly excited about the future directions XAS could take, and he recommends that all students experience an XAS event. “You don’t have to be into extreme or adventurous sports -- our goal is to get people into them! If you have never done things like this, we would be delighted to have you join us!” My advice to all you future and current Lyon students: get involved with XAS and experience an Xtreme Adventure!

Dr. Lindblom assists an XAS member
in a rock-climbing excursion.

(Photos courtesy of XAS)