The Collegian

Issue date: 9/17/09 Section: Focus

Out of the 200 acres Hillsdale College campus covers, only 48 provide the cover
needed to have an open bonfire.

The smell of roasting marshmallows and burning pipe tobacco sometimes drifts with the soft hum of a guitar and the crackle of open flames throughout Hillsdale College's woodland, the Slayton Arboretum.

There was something alluring about the dancing flames for senior Eric Coykendall and his friends a few years ago, an activity breaking up college weeks filled with the brick and mortar of libraries, lecture halls and dormitories.

"It was mainly to break up the routine of dorm life," Coykendall said. "Once you're off campus it's easier to break it up without wandering into the arb during the middle of the night."

Coykendall's group reverted to bonfires when the chill of Michigan's winter set in and restricted their extracurricular activities even more. They would often bring guitars and food to go with good conversation and fireside stories.

"There's something about sitting around a fire that puts everybody in a relaxed mood to share stories and sing," said a friend of Coykendall's who asked not to be named.

Citing it as a favorite clandestine activity of his group, he said they have not revisited the arb in a few years.

"Freshman year you probably spend more time in the arb seeing all the little haunts and hideaways," he said.

Director of Security Mike Wertz said although his staff has never caught a group of students starting fire pits in the arb, he does know where each of the three pits are and is aware students sometimes get curious.

He said punishment probably wouldn't be too severe for first time offenders if his staff caught the perpetrators. He said the consequences could be worse if the Hillsdale City Police were to get involved.

Recreational bonfires are allowed within city limits only with a permit issued by the Hillsdale City Fire Department.

Senior Tristan Van Maren said he and some of his friends have had a few close calls with authorities.

Van Maren and about 12 other cohorts assembled around a fire pit in the arb one evening. He said the group communed over wine and gin and tonics after a Shakespeare festival.

After a few sips and a scene or two of Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night," the gang noticed headlights on the street and the sweeping beam of a flashlight cutting through the woods. They quickly packed up and escaped through a rear exit.

"It's such a nice atmosphere to hang out, drink lightly and talk," Van Maren said. "It always surprises me how inconspicuous the arb really is. You can't see the fires from the road, by and large."

Van Maren also said he spent an entire night in the arb without a sleeping bag. He was so close to the fire, he said, he nearly burned his feet.

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