There, she was able to kayak in Michigan with group leaders from the IU Outdoor Adventures program. After this trip, she knew immediately she wanted to get involved in IUOA and become a trip leader herself.
“I really wanted to come back and relay how cool the outdoors is to other people and let them experience the same things that I’ve seen,” Rehrey said.
The 13th annual Banff Mountain Film Festival will premiere at 7 p.m. Saturday and continue at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater as part of IUOA’s fundraiser to help fund trip leaders, such as Rehrey, as they earn their ?certifications.
Each year, independent filmmakers submit outdoor- or adventure-themed movies to the Banff Centre in hopes of being selected in their world tour. Then, programs such as IUOA are sent the selected films as part of Banff’s world film tour.
The Banff Centre, based out of Canada, is the biggest arts and creativity incubator in the world, according to their website.
While about 75 films are chosen each year for the tour, the members of IUOA are able to meet and decide on what film clips they want to present at the fundraiser.
Michael Egge, junior and IUOA trip leader, categorizes the clips into three ?separate categories.
“You have the pure adventure films, which can be climbing mountains; the educational side that teaches about the culture of these areas; and inspirational films where it might not be the tallest or most difficult mountains, but it’s people doing and talking about what they love,” Egge said.
Nicci Brown, assistant coordinator of operations for IUOA and Banff Festival coordinator, said all of the earnings go back to the students as part of IUOA. More specifically, the proceeds of the fundraiser will go into funding certification for trip leaders, such as Rehrey and Egge, to be able to lead one-credit courses offered through IUOA.
“If they put on this film festival, then they get all the proceeds that go back to the trip leader club,” Brown said. “That, in turn, benefits any student that needs or wants funding to try to further their career.”
Rehrey said she is very grateful for the opportunity to learn a lot about the outdoors and her training through IUOA.
“If I go out with a group of people, I want to be as certified, know about the area, know about the gear and what I’m doing as much as I can,” Rehrey said. “Being able to be certified and have the support from IUOA and the community is just great.”
In addition to the film viewing, there will be a raffle featuring outdoor-related prizes donated by both corporate sponsors of the festival as well as local sponsors from Bloomington.
“It’s a huge giveaway,” Brown said. “We’ve got stuff from Paoli Peaks, Upland and even mountain bikes. I mean, if that’s the biggest draw, apart from the films, to get people there, then that can still be it.”
Brown said this event attracts a lot of members from the community, and she feels it’s inspirational and shows Bloomington what’s out there in the world.
“When you’re in the Midwest, you kind of feel like you’re in a bubble,” Brown said. “It expands people’s views and knowledge of what’s going on outside of Indiana, the United States and North America.”
Egge said this will definitely be a high-energy event.
“Especially with our crowd, the outdoor adventure people come in and we’re all amped up and excited,” Egge said. “We’re all sitting in our seats with our legs shaking, excited to watch the films.”
