FAQ
What is the Outing Club?
Q:
The Outing Club is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable organization that was founded in 1947 to attract visitors to our area and to provide a place for them and our community to ski. Over the years, The Outing Club not only opened and operated King Ridge Ski Mountain, but also became the primary provider of sports, recreational, educational and social programs and activities to our community.
A:
What are some of the programs and
activities offered during the history of the
The Outing Club?
Q:
Since its beginning, the The Outing Club has provided a multitude of community activities, including:
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1948 Purchased and operated the Northeast Ski Tow on the northeast slope of Pleasant Lake. The ​Outing Club conducted tennis clinics, swimming, pony club, baseball, basketball, football, ballroom and ​square dancing, operated the information booth, conservation camp, ski sale, Christmas Dance, ​movies and hiking trails at various other community sites.
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1950 Began summer swimming lessons at Little Sunapee beach.
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1969 Purchased land on Lakeside Road and opened NLOC Park with Little League baseball. Also began ​soccer clinics and planning for tennis courts that same year.
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1970 Began concession stand at Park, cross country skiing, and girl’s softball programs, conducted ​Friday Program for school children, Babe Ruth baseball added to programs, playground ​equipment added to NLOC Park and the Information Booth was turned over to the NL Chamber ​of Commerce.
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1974 NLOC and King Ridge Ski Club merged; conducted recreational, racing, instructional ski program.
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1970’s Developed soccer field and tennis courts with lights and a basketball court.
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1975 Knight’s Hill Park land donated to NLOC.
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1979 Added ice rink to NLOC Park, offering skating and lessons; added XC skiing to Friday Program.
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1980 Began Summer recreation program; ice rink expanded with lights, warming hut and a zamboni.
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1981 T Ball began.
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1989 Built new soccer and baseball field with sprinkler system and a concession stand at NLOC Park.
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1990 Snowboarding, tennis and walleyball added to Friday Program.
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1991 “Night at the Races” fundraiser.
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1996 Youth Lacrosse program begun.
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1998 Held first biennial “Fall Fling” Auction, Dinner and Dance fundraiser.
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2005 Built and opened bocce courts and horseshoe pits for play; conducted guided kayak trips, and ​moonlight snowshoeing; conducted Learn to Ski program and Ski Camp at Ragged Mountain, ​and Teen Ski Nights at Pat’s Peak.
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2007 Leased old KRMS, New London from the KRSD and raised funds to renovate and repair the gym ​floor, exterior drainage problem and playing field areas.
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2008 Began a full slate of indoor programs at the “Outing Club Indoor Center”, including preseason ​sport’s practices (baseball, lacrosse, girls softball), badminton, volleyball, basketball, exercise ​classes, tennis instruction, Barn Playhouse Summer Intern Program, band and dance shows.
2014 New programs added to the OCIC include adult and children's yoga, Kearsarge Youth Basketbll (KYB) at the Outing Club, continued programming of indoor soccer, volleyball, pickleball, youth dance, art classes, dog training, fencing, and language classes. The Outing Club moved to a new online registration system called RecDesk.
A:
How is The Outing Club organized?
Q:
The OC is a membership organization administered by volunteer officers and directors of its board, elected by the membership for 1, 2 or 3 year terms. Program leaders, coaches and instructors are usually also all volunteers. Due to recent growth in participants and facilities, the NLOC board has hired a full time Operations and Program Director, and a part time Administrative Assistant and Bookkeeper.
A:
What facilities are owned by the OC?
Q:
The OC currently owns and operates the playing fields, diamonds, courts and playground areas at Woodward Park and the nature trails and woods at Knights Hill Park in New London. We also lease the facilities of the former Kearsarge Regional Middle School, New London – the Outing Club Indoor Center (OCIC).
A:
How is the OC funded?
Q:
The OC receives all of its funding through the town, membership, donations, and periodic fundraising events to help defray our administrative and maintenance costs; and through program and activity fees to cover the costs of offering a program (equipment, supplies, uniforms, referees, etc.). Our facilities are open and available to members and non-members alike, and we ask that everyone consider becoming a member to support our organization.
A:
What is the relationship of the OC
to the Town of New London Recreation Department?
Q:
The OC is a private organization that offers its programs to all participants regardless of residency. The Town of New London generously funded $40,000 to the OC during Covid which was dedicated to additional youth programming and enabling the OC to hire a full time executive director. The Recreation commission is collaborating with the OC on several smaller initiatives and enjoy a great relationship with the town and it's representatives.
A:
What is the “OCIC”?
Q:
The Outing Club Indoor Center is the name we have given to the facilities which we are using at the former Kearsarge Regional Middle School in New London. The OCIC includes the front lobby and restrooms, the gym and locker rooms, the stage area and the former music room, now our Activity Room, as well as the playing fields behind the school.
A:
What are the terms and availability of the OCIC for use?
Q:
The Outing Club is leasing the OCIC from the school district. Our allotted time is 3:00-10:00 pm on weekdays when school is in session, and 8:00 am to 10:00 pm on Saturday, Sundays, school holidays and vacation periods. A published seasonal schedule will offer programs and activities throughout the year within these time periods. The Outing Club does take time off for vacations and has limited hours during the holidays. Please see the website and/or e-mail assistant@theoutingclub.org for more information.
A:
What is happening to the other spaces at the KRMS?
Q:
The entire KRMS, NL facility is still owned and operated by the Kearsarge Regional School District. The Kearsarge Regional Elementary School, New London will use the gym and some other areas in the school for their students during the school day.
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Due to fire and code regulations, The Outing Club does not have access to spaces in the building except as indicated in our lease with the SAU. The original school building, including the “old” gym, cafeteria, workshop and other classrooms is under a separate lease agreement by the KRSD to another organization not affiliated with the NLOC.
A:
Why did the school district expend
money to renovate the old KRMS gym?
Q:
They didn’t – The Outing Club paid for it all! In 2007, the OC borrowed $200,000 and completed repairs, prior to school beginning last fall, to the building’s exterior drainage which ruined the gym floor, installed a new hardwood maple gym floor, replaced fencing around the playing fields, installed drainage pipes to the fields, added 60 tons of new clay to the baseball diamond, and restored all the playing fields to top condition, including a complete restoration of a small practice field which was overgrown and unused for years.
A:
What is the opportunity ahead for the OC?
Q:
This indoor facility and additional playing fields, will allow us to expand existing programs, and, most importantly, be able to offer, not only new, but year-round indoor programs and activities to our community.
A:
What are the challenges ahead for the OC?
Q:
The OC is faced with increased financial challenges as it embarks to operate the OCIC and its other facilities. Our annual budget will increase by over $75,000 due to new costs for insurance, salaries, rental fees to the school district and maintenance, much of which was done by volunteers in the past.
A:
How can people help the OC?
Q:
The OC needs everyone’s support! Support can come from many different ways:
· Join or renew your membership (consider a higher level)
· Donate to our Capital Campaign
· Donate to one of our Memorial Funds that help with scholarships and special projects
· Register and participate in our varied programs and activities
· Support our fundraising events - Fall Fling Dinner and Auction
· Volunteer as a coach, leader, helper, or offer your talent to conduct a new program