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What could be more invigorating than a full day of writing in the midst of green and beautiful surroundings, followed by some quality relaxation by the pool and a thrilling hike? GSOC recently embarked on an unforgettable writing retreat in collaboration with the Writing Center.

With 20 enthusiastic participants, our writing retreat took place in a serene location that served as the perfect backdrop for creativity and productivity. From the early morning hours to the late afternoon, we were fully immersed in the world of words and ideas. Our shared commitment to achieving our writing goals was palpable, creating an atmosphere of motivation and focus.

Our favorite writer consular –Yvonne– was on hand to provide guidance, support, and useful tips for enhancing our writing skills. It was truly inspiring to see the diversity of research and writing projects that our fellow participants were working on – from dissertations to academic papers and creative works.

But it wasn’t all work and no play. After a productive morning of writing, we enjoyed a well-deserved break by the pool and a refreshing hiking. Conversations flowed freely, and the relaxed atmosphere helped us recharge for the afternoon session

Throughout the day, we found that the writing retreat not only fostered productivity but also a strong sense of community. Sharing experiences, challenges, and achievements with fellow graduate students created a supportive and encouraging environment that will undoubtedly continue to benefit us as we move forward in our academic and creative pursuits.

In conclusion, our writing retreat with the Writing Center was a remarkable experience. It combined the right blend of hard work, relaxation, and outdoor adventure. It reinforced the importance of community in academia and the power of nature to rekindle our creativity. We look forward to future collaborations with the Writing Center and more inspiring retreats that bring graduate students together to achieve their writing dreams.

Painting is a wonderful form of self-expression that allows us to unleash our creativity and produce beautiful works of art. But what if I told you that there was a unique way to create art using an unlikely ingredient: yeast? Yes, you read that right! Painting with yeast is a fun and creative way to explore new artistic techniques.

One of the most interesting aspects of painting with yeast is that you cannot see your art until some days of incubation. Unlike traditional paints, yeast is alive it needs to grow at ideal temperature and nutrients. As the yeast grows and expands, it creates a textured surface that adds depth and interest to the painting. This means that every painting is unique and has its own character. The incubation time of the yeast creates an element of surprise and excitement in the painting process.

In addition to creating beautiful works of art, painting with yeast also has practical applications. Yeast is commonly used in scientific research, and painting with yeast can be a fun and educational way to learn about the biological properties of this fascinating microorganism.

For all these amazing reasons, GSOC, GSS, GLO, GU, and BOGS decided to organized the Yeast Day!

One day with different type of fermented food–beer, wine, cheese, kombucha, kimchi, etc–and colored yeast. An amazing yeast-sensorial experience!. Here we share some Yeast Arts from some students:

Painting with yeast is a unique and exciting way to create art. The process is easy and fun, and the results are always surprising. Whether you’re an experienced artist or just starting out, painting with yeast is a great way to explore new artistic techniques and unleash your creativity.

Event leader & writing: Artemiza Martinez

Indoor climbing has become a popular activity for adventure seekers and fitness enthusiasts alike. Not only does it provide a challenging workout, but it also offers a unique opportunity to test your mental and physical limits. Being part of an indoor climbing GSOC club has given us the chance to participate in some amazing trips and experiences. In this blog, I want to share some of the incredible indoor climbing trips that my club has organized.

One of our first trips was to an indoor climbing gym–Gravity Vault– that was known for its innovative and challenging routes. As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by the bright and colorful walls that stretched to the ceiling. The gym had routes for all skill levels, and we spent the day challenging ourselves and encouraging each other to try new climbs. We also took advantage of the gym’s training area, which had hangboards, campus boards, and other equipment for strength and endurance training.

Another amazing trip was to a near indoor climbing facility called North Summit. This gym is mainly for Top Rope, with short and challenging walls. We spent the day exploring the different route, trying out everything from bouldering to top rope climbing. One of the coolest features of this gym was a the opportunity of teaching. Here, they have a friendly and flexible space for leaning. Perfect space for beginners.

In addition to these trips, our club has also organized multiple climbing trips to different indoor gyms in the area, allowing us to experience new climbing environments and routes. Being part of GSOC has given us the chance to participate in some truly amazing trips and experiences. f you’re a rock climber, I highly recommend joining a club and going on trips like this. It’s a great way to meet new people, explore new places, and challenge yourself in new ways. And if you’ve never tried rock climbing before, I encourage you to give it a shot. You never know where it might take you!

Trip leader & writing: Artemiza Martinez

On Sunday 17th Oct, we gathered at Alumni hall at 9am, and 41 people headed out to Mazezilla. We started are trip with checking out Mazezilla’s  cute market.

We then picked out pumpkins from their farm and took some really amazing fall pictures.

We then headed down to the corn maze on a tractor, which was a great new experience for all of us.

We then started off with our corn maze, which was hard and tiring but it was really fun. We split into teams and tried to compete.

Some people also went on slides and to the farm and played with some farm animals and then we headed back to campus for some pizza and Pumpkin carving:)

Overall the trip was a filled with fun fall activities, everyone got to bond and experience something new !!

 

Trip leader and writing Tulika Malik

Co-leader: Artemiza and VamC

 

On Sunday March 28th, a group of GSOC’s intrepid explorers went to our neighboring Hellertown to explore Lost River Caverns. Caves are a unique geological feature of the Lehigh Valley. There are over 30 known, and many unknown, caves across the Lehigh Valley. Most are under homes or businesses, including one on Lehigh’s campus between Dravo and Drinker House!

Three caves in the Lehigh Valley are open to the public. Crystal Caves, Onyx Cave, and Lost River Caverns (which is the closest to Lehigh). During our tour, we learned the unique and interesting history of this cave. As early as the 1900s, there is evidence that the cave was used by Lehigh Valley residents. During the 1920s (Prohibition era), Moonshiners hid illicit alcohol in the caves to keep it cool and away from authorities. In the mid-late 1900s, the cave was even used by fraternities at Lehigh University to initiate new members!

Overall we had a great time exploring the caves, learning the history, and exploring the quirky gift shop after our tour. Hope you can join us on our next visit!

Welcome to site of Graduate Student Outing Club! 

This is a stock of information of trails around Lehigh or, in a broader sense, in the northeast US; as well as the events we did.