There are many clubs that Southeast Missouri State University offers to students. Whether a student is interested in science, art, film, math or sports, there is an organization for it. The Recreation Enhancement Club at Southeast is geared toward giving the student body an opportunity to network, recreate and experience new recreation and leisure activities.

Brooke Grubb, a senior at Southeast and a three-year veteran of the Recreation Enhancement Club, is the president of the organization.

"What we do is we provide students leadership opportunities doing outdoor activities such as biking, canoeing, camping, hiking and caving," Grubb said. "And a lot of what we do depends on the weather."

Despite weather getting in the way of some activities the club organized last semester, members still were able to go on two hiking trips and a camping trip.

Grubb is excited that the club has planned to do an outdoor activity that it has never done before this semester.

"This semester, our first trip is going to be a little different than anything we've done in the past. We are actually doing a paintballing trip in a couple weeks," Grubb said.

The trip will be on Sunday at Gateway Paintball Park in Bridgeton, Mo., and any student is welcome. The club will cover half of the $30 cost, which includes gear and equipment.

"Anyone is more than welcome to come. Even if you've never done it, come give it a try," Grubb said.

Grubb explained that it isn't difficult to join for those interested in being a part of the Recreation Enhancement Club.

"You can either show up to any of our events. [The club] is only $20. The $20 covers gas, food and a T-shirt for the year," Grubb said.

Students can also attend a Recreation Enhancement Club meeting on the first Wednesday of every month in Parker Room 202 at noon.

Along with the paintballing trip, the club has various other trips planned for the rest of the semester.

On Sunday, March 23, the club is going on a biology hike at the Little Grand Canyon near Murphysboro, Ill. According to the United States Department of Agriculture's website, the Little Grand Canyon is a "deep box canyon" that was created due to erosion over time.

"A cool and lush bottomland habitat thrives on the canyon floor. Along the upper portions of the trail visitors encounter expansive views of the colorful cliffs, the Big Muddy River and the Mississippi River floodplain. The canyon floor showcases seasonal waterfalls, large sandstone overhangs and towering beech and sycamore trees," according to the USDA website.

The club will use the high ropes course new to Southeast's campus on April 6 and on April 20 the club will hike at Elephant Rocks and Johnson Shut Ins. To conclude the semester, on May 4 the club is hosting a barbecue social for the club's members.

Grubb has created many memories throughout her time in the club. She said her favorite trips to take are the caving trips.

"My first year when I first started we went on a caving trip. There is this cave that the club has permission to go into on an owner's private property. I've never been caving before in my life and we get there and all you see is this big 'ole hole in the ground," Grubb said.

Grubb described a mysterious waterfall inside of the cave that club members have always wanted to venture to and find out what is beyond it.

"It's one of those weird mysteries as far as the club goes that everyone's like, we're going to find that one day, but nobody has been able to get that far," Grubb said. "I've been on three [caving trips], and every time I go it's a different group, different dynamics and we do different things. The cave may never change but every time we go, people wonder at it because people don't get to do stuff like this. It's always just a great experience for everybody."

As president of the club, Grubb has many responsibilities besides enjoying her outdoor adventures.

"I act as an liasion between the university and the club, so anytime we need anything that is university related such as registration and funding, I'm in charge of all that. I also run our monthly meetings and every officer is required to lead at least one trip a semester," Grubb said of her duties.

This semester the Recreation Enhancement Club has five officers, including Grubb.

"Usually we don't have this many officers," Grubb said, "but member numbers are up. You know, it works great when we can divvy up responsibilities a little bit further with all of the other responsibilities members have."

As of right now, the club has 25 members. For more information on joining, visit the club's Facebook page "SEMO Recreation Enhancement Club."