'Voyageurs' explore

As the new semester begins, the Bonavoyageurs has been gearing up for new adventures. The Bonavoyageurs, an outdoors club, has been "resurrected," according to Tony Zambito, a sophomore political science major and Bonavoyageurs vice president.

Over the past few years, Bonavoyageurs membership has declined but interest has sparked recently.

The club goes hiking, canoeing, rock climbing, horseback riding and camping. Students in the Bonavoyageurs engage in outdoor activities that take full advantage of all the beauty that surrounds Bonaventure, according to the group's mission statement.

"It's so free-form, and we have so many opportunities in this area for outdoor activity," Zambito said. "It's all about exploring the space around us . there is never any commitment to the club."

Zambito stressed even if students are not experienced, they should not hesitate to join. The club focuses on people's new experiences with nature.

"We aren't horseback riding experts," Zambito said. "No one needs to be nervous."

According to Chris Radey, a sophomore English major and Bonavoyageurs member, students do not need to worry about money when they join.

"Just show up. (You) don't need to pay. Just enjoy," Radey said.

The Student Government Association (SGA) and private donations fund the club's trips and activities.

The Bonavoyageurs usually have a turnout between five and 10 people each trip, Father Harry Monaco, O.F.M., the club's faculty adviser, said.

Members hope to see Bonavoyageurs expand.

"I would definitely like to see more people getting involved, especially people who aren't familiar with the outdoors, and I would also like to see as many trips as possible," Zambito said.

Bonavoyageurs flourished when the club began, but in past years, membership has died out, Radey said.

Monday, the Bonavoyageurs held an interest meeting in University Ministries to recruit new members. At the interest meeting, 30 people attended, and the current group members hope interest will continue.

The club prides itself on its loose construction and highly informal style because it gives students the ability to choose what trips they would like to go on.

The club goes on day trips to local outdoors attractions. Last weekend, the Bonavoyageurs hiked for five hours at Allegany State Park, exploring the Bear Caves and Mount Seneca.

Bonaventure lies in the midst of nature, Radey said.

"A thousand feet that way and you have the Allegheny River . go 20 minutes down the road, you're in the state park. You go 20 minutes the other way to Portville, you have the Pfeiffer Nature Center and all these forests, foothills and mountains," Radey said. "We're in such a beautiful area. It would just be foolish not to take advantage of it."

Father Harry said there's more to the area than what you see.

"You get a sense of the area beyond Wal-Mart and Main Street and State Street, Olean and Allegany," Father Harry said. "You really get a real sense of the beauty of the area."

The Bonavoyageurs want to break through the Bona Bubble and introduce students to the beauty of nature, Radey said. He said he believes the spring will allow more trips and more adventures for the Bonavoyageurs and Bonaventure as a whole.

The club wants to encourage having fun and being outside in nature's glory, Zambito said.

The group usually takes three to four trips per semester, but its members hope to increase that number with more members and ideas.

Students do not need to worry about transportation because members and the faculty adviser have cars.

Besides providing the opportunity to explore the world around Bonaventure this semester, the club may branch out to other groups that value the Earth like they do. They would like to help promote or fund raise for the Recycling Club and Sustainability Club in the near future.

"Whatever we can do to help is what we'd like to do," Zambito said.

Depending on the weather, the Bonavoyageurs plan to go snowshoeing within the next few weeks.

Students who would like to get involved with the Bonavoyageurs can e-mail Chris Radey, Zack Domes or Tony Zambito. They can also join Bonavoyageurs Outdoors Club on Facebook to find out when the group will have their next adventure.

e-mail: odonnemm09@sbu.edu