10/15/2026
Hello Everyone,
First I want to share a Happy Twentieth Anniversary of the Edmonton Outdoor Club! I'll talk more below about our club and my time
as previous President of the EOC over the last decade and a part of the previous director group.
The Edmonton Outdoor Club (EOC) is a volunteer-run organization for adults. Our mission is to provide our members, who share
common interests, the opportunity to participate in open, accessible and affordable activities with a focus on the outdoors. Our
values are bringing together our members to enjoy and protect the environment while sharing outdoor knowledge and experiences
that encourage a healthy and fun lifestyle. Our vision is to encourage environmental stewardship by promoting and inspiring the love
of the outdoors.
Founded on March 1, 2006, the EOC currently has 382 members, primarily Edmonton residents. Membership is open to any
interested adult, regardless of his or her experience level. There are no paid staff. Volunteer positions include various aspects of
running the club as well as coordinating events. Funds collected are recycled back into the club for purchases of equipment,
maintaining the web site, or supporting an event.
The EOC relies heavily on its interactive events and networking web site to allow people to sign up for membership, communicate
with one another, register and pay for events, submit event feedback, and make suggestions for club improvements.
The web site is the backbone - the "virtual clubhouse" - of the EOC. Individuals can sign up for online for our in-person events in a
matter of minutes. They can network with other members, interact with the volunteers, and register for upcoming events. The lack of
overhead required by a physical office permits the club to continue to offer free memberships. See our website menus for much more
information. Feel free to browse the long list of incredible events that have been coordinated by knowledgeable and dedicated
volunteers over the years.
*Please see our volunteer tab for the current new Director Team of Beata, Karen, and Lavonne who are all long time EOC members
and have been sharing their passions with other club members for many years.
I may not have been able to meet all of you on events new and old, but I have shared many events and memories with the Edmonton
Outdoor Community over many years myself. It has really meant a lot to me to have connected with so many amazing like-minded
people over the years. I still call many of them, my friends. It's been hard to be away from our community and Network of people now
that I'm living a new life and a new career in Lethbridge.
Thank you very much for being a part of all our shared outdoor activities and experiences. I'm looking forward to seeing all the
exciting adventures posts on our page!
Wishing everyone all the best, and to the new volunteer team who will help grow the Club with every members ongoing support.
If you find yourself in the Lethbridge area or southern Alberta, feel free to check out the Chinook Outdoor Club (COC) where you will
find me coordinating weekly trips in the future.
Mark Gibbons
Past President
Edmonton Outdoor Club
