Have an eye for the outdoors? From kayaking and paddleboarding to camping and hiking, students’ next adventure trip may begin at an unlikely place: on campus.
Outdoor Adventures, located at Lakeside Village, has been an outlet for students seeking adventure since opening last spring. Offering gear rentals for outdoor sports, guides on trip-taking in the South Florida area, and a 14-foot climbing wall, the center is the University’s gateway to the outdoors.
Expanding on its existing programming, Outdoor Adventures is getting ready to reimagine student engagement with new adventure trips and outdoor experiences this fall.
The Adventure Trips Development Program will serve as a bridge from campus to Florida’s outdoors. Offering short day trips, extended camping treks, and everything in between, the new program is designed with all levels of experience in mind.
With a lineup of trips ready for the fall 2022 semester, Alexander Griffin is ready to craft the program’s trips and logistics. His role as trip manager also includes helping bring Outdoor Adventure’s new immersive experience to life.
“It’s an incredible way to experience the community you’re a part of. These trips will be an experience you wouldn’t otherwise get,” said Griffin, who is pursuing a master’s degree in coastal zone management.
For students who want to learn how to lead trips and guide their classmates on these one-of-a-kind adventures, the new Student Experience Adventure Leadership program is a semester-long training that blends unique expeditions with leadership development. It features in-class, on-campus, and field-based lessons. Aiming to teach students technical skills of outdoor recreation to later educate their peers, SEALs will teach participants how to plan and navigate group dynamics while also discovering a new sense of self-sufficiency.
“We plan on every student having the chance to build and plan a weekend adventure for the group. Going on the trip, students will be able to reflect on the intricacies of group planning and learn about managing a group of about 10 to 15 students,” added Griffin.
The immersive program will provide participants with valuable group-leadership experiences through four weekend-long trips and a culminating ten-day expedition. Managing group food preparation, learning risk management, and facilitating change in their groups, the program offers an exciting new way to learn about leadership and the South Florida community.
“SEALs will allow students to further refine their leadership skills and differentiate amongst their peers to expand their career past the University,” said Trey Knight, assistant director with the Department of Wellness and Recreation who oversees Outdoor Adventures.
To learn more about the Adventure Trips program and complete an interest form to stay updated on trip schedules, visit the Outdoor Adventures website. Additionally, applications for the Fall 2022 SEALs program are open through Tuesday, April 5.
