Attending university in the heart of a big city makes it hard for some students to stay grounded and connect with nature. DePaul’s Outdoors Club is designed to counter that sense of urban claustrophobia.

The club offers a space for those seeking community to find refuge. Bridging social aspects with the benefits of the physical world of nature, they embark on numerous adventures throughout the school year. 

“Especially as a freshman, I had a difficult time adjusting, then I found Outdoors Club,” club president Katie Day, a junior from Missouri said, “I was able to find a community.”

Members of the DePaul Outdoor Club observe wildlife at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary in Chicago on Sept. 26, 2026. The group’s trip gave students a chance to spend time outdoors while exploring one of Chicago’s areas known for bird and wildlife viewing. (Caleb Brenner)

Treasurer Eliza Pultz-Earle is from Kansas and has grappled with transitioning from being surrounded by nature to living in a more urban environment. 

“I met my roommate at my first outdoor club meeting,” Pultz-Earle said, adding that she also met her best friends at a meeting. 

The club started in winter of 2023 and has gained a resounding number of members. Their Instagram page has more than 500 followers, with 20 to 30 students actively participating in weekly meetings. Simply, the club has taken campus by storm. 

They meet on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. to discuss potential adventure spots and to simply hang out. The annual membership fee is $25, which covers the cost of about 12 activities each year.

Most activities are local to Chicago and include outings at the Lincoln Park Zoo and Garfield Park Conservatory. Members often take public transportation to save money. 

For the more organized activities outside the Chicago area, the club sends out a Google Form to collect information from participants and to verify that dues have been paid. Then, the executive team takes the reins and reserves rental cars or buses.

“We’ll drive out together, and it’s really fun honestly to get in the cars and listen to music and drive through Illinois,” Day says.

This includes visiting places like Starved Rock State Park and Kankakee River State Park. 

A bird stands near a small stream at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary in Chicago on Sept. 26, 2026. The bird was one of the many species members of the DePaul Outdoor Club observed during their visit to the sanctuary. (Caleb Brenner)

Lucy Thibault, a 20-year-old Indiana native who is a former club president, said she chose not to seek reelection to give other members a chance at a leadership role.

“I thought it would be wrong of me to run again as president when the whole point of it was to continuously make new leaders,” Thibault said.

She remains an active member and looks forward to the adventures ahead.

To try to keep the community connection strong, the club meets throughout all seasons. They connect with nature in the fall, winter and spring. Though winter is considered the club’s off season, and meetings are instead every other week, there are opportunities for members to participate in indoor fun activities together, like painting tote bags, and playing board games. 

As the club’s main focus is connecting with physical nature, they sometimes decide to brave the cold, bundle up and go for winter hikes, Day says. Or, they visit indoor conservatories and go on ice skating trips.

Discussing the club, Pultz-Earle added, “Even if you aren’t a super nature lover, it is good for your mental health.”

Many say the outdoors club offers a breath of fresh air and new friends for all who are interested. 

“One thing about nature is that it is not going to change. The earth will always be there for you,” Thibault said. 

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