Key takeaways from Wright State University’s outdoor adventure trip to the Colorado mountains.
During Wright State University’s winter break, a group of seven participants and two trip leaders traveled to Colorado to snowshoe and hike in the mountains from January 4 to January 11. The experience, spearheaded by students and supported by campus recreation staff, challenged participants to step out of their comfort zones and embrace the rugged beauty of the wilderness.
With a focus on personal growth and community building, the trip catered to both seasoned adventurers and those new to the backcountry. Participants hiked to a base camp at over 10,000 feet, summited Humboldt Peak at 13,200 feet, and learned valuable lessons about hiking ethics, avalanche safety and leave-no-trace principles.
For Erin Compaleo, the assistant director for Outdoor Recreation at Wright State, the trip represented more than just an opportunity to explore new terrain.
“We try to offer opportunities for students to grow personally through something challenging,” explained Compaleo. “If you can push yourself physically, a lot of times people overcome that mental barrier. We’ve seen those who participate in this hiking opportunity find themselves and realize they’re stronger than they think.”
A Student-Led, Student-Centric Vision
Similarly, students honed in on their leadership by being a part of the process from brainstorming to execution. What made this trip particularly unique was its student-driven origins.
As a result, keeping the trip affordable was one of the biggest concerns from its conception. Recognizing the financial constraints of their peers, student trip leaders ensured the excursion as low-cost as possible. At $350 per participant, the fee included transportation, lodging and gear. This price tag was made possible because of Outdoor Recreation having most of the gear already and not charging for use of the van.
“College students are already paying tuition, rent, for books and life,” said Compaleo. “That’s one of the biggest challenges we see. It’s truly a luxury to be able to go on a trip and do something outside of the norm. Being as affordable as possible was one of our biggest goals.”
This kind of student-led programming not only provides enriching experiences for participants but also empowers students to take ownership of the outdoor recreation offerings, fostering leadership and problem-solving skills.
Trends in Outdoor Recreation
The trip also reflected shifts in student preferences for outdoor activities. Compaleo noted today’s students are more inclined toward accessible adventures like car camping and sightseeing rather than physically demanding backcountry expeditions.
However, their interests and wants are constantly changing. This snowshoeing trip showed there’s still interest in more challenging opportunities among students. Striking a balance to serve and connect with those with varying needs is difficult but necessary.
“It’s been challenging trying to figure out what students want each year,” said Compaleo. “Everyone is different and we’re trying to find opportunities for every type of personality and interest. We’re trying to diversify our offerings from physically challenging to sightseeing.”
Less strenuous experiences — such as car camping, sightseeing or day kayaking — can also be valuable as a gateway to other opportunities like snowshoeing in Colorado. These trips also have other benefits for the department.
Operational Wins
For Wright State, Outdoor Recreation trips provide great marketing as students post on social media about their experiences. It also serves as a valuable recruitment tool for student staff.
“Half the participants came back wanting to work for us,” said Compaleo. “They want to be a part of our community even further. It’s great being able to grow our team with students who want to be a part of what we do and want to be in each other’s lives.”
Keys to Success for Outdoor Recreation
With great benefits, there are many reasons to offer outdoor adventure trips. Ultimately, these experiences offer unforgettable memories of college and campus recreation for participants.
“I’m really grateful that our university is still interested in investing in us,” explained Compaleo. “We offer an enormous gain in experiences to the students we cater to. I appreciate the universities across the country that are still investing in and see the value of these intimate excursions. They’re really unique and such a benefit to colleges as students will always that connection to the opportunities they had.”
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