On Friday, Dec. 1, UP's Campus Program Board (CPB) is hosting their first ever Bonfire on the Bluff event at 6:30 p.m. on Shipstad Field. Pip’s Donuts and apple cider will be offered free of charge for attendees.
Inspired by other college campuses, CPB Director Claire Vondenkamp wants to bring a bonfire event to campus in hopes of starting a new tradition at UP.
“Everybody's stressed right now and this event will really get people to lean on their community and talk to their friends,” Vondenkamp said. “Hopefully this will turn into a tradition. A lot of other schools have traditions like this. So we thought, why not start?”
UP’s Environmental Health and Safety department is providing CPB with their unused wooden pallets to recycle for firewood.
With the excitement of the bonfire underway, CPB is working with Campus Safety and Facilities Services to put safety precautions in place to ensure the safety of students.
The estimated eight-foot bonfire will be encircled by a dirt barrier 10 to 15 feet in diameter to prevent grass from catching fire. A campus safety officer will be present to monitor the event.
“Everybody on my staff has been trained with fire safety certification, so we all know how to put out a fire if needed,” Vondenkamp said. “There will be an available hose for the fire just in case things catch.”
While it is projected to rain this Friday, tents will be pitched to ensure the comfort of attendees and to keep the event dry.
“Dress warm because it is, you know, cold this time of year,” Vondenkamp said. “Our color palette is like green, navy blue, maybe a little orange. Think ‘camping chic.’”
Janea Melido is the News and Managing Editor for The Beacon. She can be reached at melido24@up.edu.
