The pandemic has left people trapped inside for long periods of time. With the numbers of those with COVID-19 decreasing and a vaccine being distributed, people are looking for the light at the end of the tunnel, to get back out and do the things they enjoyed most.

Grand Valley State University Club Sports and the Community Service Learning Center (CSLC) will be hosting a “Field Day” to get students out and having fun with games, food trucks and loads of club sports to pique their interest.

“With the weather being so nice, we wanted to do something for students that they could do on their break day to have fun with their friends,” said Giavonna Ward, Graduate Assistant for Civic Engagement in the Office of Student Life. “Also they can get to know more about CSLC, club sports, RecWell and the Student Academic Success Center.”

Field Day will be taking place on Thursday, April 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on outdoor turf field one. Students will be able to enjoy a wide variety of food while walking around and looking at all the showcased club sports, along with meeting club sport representatives.

“Club sports provide a unique opportunity for students to try new sports or continue sports through college at any level,” said Brianna Slager, Sports Programs Coordinator for Recreation and Wellness.

Joining club sports is a way students can be proud to represent their school while staying physically active. Some of the clubs are recreational and some are highly competitive, nationally ranked teams. GVSU has one of the largest programs in the country with over 52 teams and over 1,300 athletes representing the university.

“Club sports leaders have gone above and beyond in this time of uncertainty to build team bonds and keep motivation looking forward to when they compete and travel again,” said Slager.

Some of the club sports that students can expect to see are bowling, equestrian, gymnastics, ice and roller hockey, quidditch, rowing, water ski, wakeboard and many more. Outside of athletics, students are invited to enjoy a variety of food trucks.

“Pricing for the food trucks will range from three to six dollars,” Slager said. “Students can play games for free tickets for shaved ice from the Kona Ice food truck as well.”

There will be numerous booths with carnival games, yard games and even volunteer hour opportunities. A few of the various activities available will be football bowling with the bowling teams, Cornhole with men’s and women’s ice hockey teams, soccer shootout with the roller hockey team and giant connect four with the equestrian team.

“We wanted to have this to have a fun time outside on a break day with friends, while meeting new people,” Slager said. “We also really wanted to be involved with Community Outreach Week. So in working this event with the Community Service Learning Center for the GVSU community, we are meeting that goal.”

Community Outreach Week is an effort to encourage GVSU staff, students and faculty to give back and make a difference in their communities. Other events include philanthropic fundraising in the Kirkhof Lobby with student organizations on Tuesday, March 30, “Card Making With Colleges Against Cancer” in the Grand River Room on Wednesday, March 31, and a variety of drop-in service projects in the Kirkhof Solarium on Friday, April 2.

A major part of Field Day’s contribution to Community Outreach Week is the Equipment Drive, a collaboration with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids. The Youth Commonwealth is looking for gently used or new equipment to help local kids stay physically active. The Drive’s wishlist welcomes everything from hoola hoops to basketballs to volleyball nets. A full directory of the equipment they’re hoping for is available on the Field Day event page of the Recreation and Wellness website at www.gvsu.edu/rec.