Whitehorse’s Joshua Hunt would like more Yukoners to boldly go where just a few have gone before.
The founder of Yukon Trekkers, a local Star Trek fan club - or “united federation of Star Trek fans,” if you prefer - has been hosting weekly meetings since March and hopes more fans of the science fiction franchise will beam in.
“It’s just a bunch of fellow trekkers getting together and having a good time watching episodes and discussing them,” said Hunt.
Astute Star Trek fans will notice the club took the name Trekkers, which usually refers to fans of the shows that followed the original series and movies, such as Star Trek the Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyageur, Enterprise and the 2009 feature film.
However, traditionalist Trekkies will not be left out. The old school Captain-Kirk-and-Spock series is also frequently watched.
“Everything, even the (1970s) animated series,” said Hunt.
“I try to find episodes that would provide discussions, so we thought, ‘Why don’t we have theme nights?’ Like an environmental night or a computer theme night.”
For instance, the group recently watched two episodes, one from the original Star Trek and one from “Next Gen,” that centred around the Enterprise crew losing control of the ship’s computer.
“Anyone who likes Star Trek; anyone who wants to watch shows,” said Hunt. “People have asked, ‘Do I have to be a hard core Trekker?’ I said no, just come and have fun.”
In addition to watching and discussing episodes, the group occasionally plays games, such as Star Trek Scrabble and the Star Trek edition of the Scene It board game. Hunt, in fact, is the reigning champion of that particular game.
Hunt, who has attended numerous Star Trek conventions, developed a love of everything trek while “growing up on” the Next Generation, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary next year.
After a long hiatus, Hunt re-engaged his Trekkie roots as a means to meeting people.
“In school, I was really into it,” said Hunt. “I had all these action figures, all the action figures, all the books. It’s a great show and I just love dreaming about the future.
“Then I began to grow out of it. But then, in my 30s, I decided I should try some social activities, so I thought, ‘Maybe I should try a Star Trek club.’
“So I got back into Star Trek. Basically I had a 10- to 15-year gap in it.”
Since forming in March, membership has hovered ... er, orbited, around a half-dozen.
“There are a couple who come when they can, but there are five who are there the majority of the time,” said Hunt.
Though Star Fleet has a strong military element to it, the Yukon Trekkers club does not. It is quite informal with no membership fees, no annual general meeting and no attendance requirements.
“This is just an informal club; we don’t have board meetings or club dues or do volunteer work for the community,” said Hunt.
“You don’t have to worry about dressing up, or being surrounded by 15-year-olds - except one. One person emailed me and said, ‘Will I be the only 50-year-old there? Will there only be teenagers there?’ I said, ‘No, there’s only one teenager there. We’re all in our 30s.’”
Yukon Trekkers meet every Friday at Hunt’s house. Not wanting to open his home to just anyone, Hunt prefers to meet with interested people before they attend.
“I like to meet the people at Starbucks, but a couple people didn’t like that idea, like it was secretive and didn’t trust them,” said Hunt. “But, hey, I don’t want let crazy people into my house. But, of course, everyone who I’ve invited have been OK.”
For more information, send a transmission to Hunt at yukontrekker@gmail.com or use your tricorder to find them on Facebook under Yukon Trekkers.
Contact Tom Patrick at
tomp@yukon-news.com