February 9, 2015

Adventure is for Everyone

By: Taylor Locklear, EC Scholar and Honors College Junior

taylor 2Sleeping in the cold is a challenge for even the most passionate cold weather aficionado.  It is even more of a challenge when you break most of the rules about sleeping in the cold (like putting only two people in a spacious four person tent).  Sleep is then nearly impossible when the night reaches a temperature at a record low, frigid enough to force the trip to be cut short.

My first night on the Roanoke River was not the most abundant in sleep; my thin sleeping bag (a personal bag of my own) was not exactly designed for the cold weather.  Once the sun rose over the horizon, I made my way to the beginnings of a morning fire.  The first night had gone poorly for most, as I learned from the grumblings around our fire pit.  The majority of my fellow Honors College students were also not quite prepared for the commitments of a Wilderness Writing course.  Apparently the definition of the word ‘wilderness’ was a little elusive, and didn’t involve the idea of cold in April.

taylor 1This was a weekend full of first-time experiences.  Our fleet of canoes and kayaks was full of students who, like me, didn’t have much paddling experience.  Even fewer (myself included), had any notable camping experience.

But when I awoke after that chilly first night, it was not discontent that I felt.  I felt inspired by two powerful forces that worked at the core of this trip.  The first was the irresistible pull of quiet nature; the comfort that comes with being nestled in the trees, far away from the hustle of daily life.  As the sun rose, it brought the warmth of the sunlight and chased away the cold.  We were essentially alone, save for the occasional fishing boat on the search for rockfish (one of the Roanoke River’s biggest attractants was rockfish season).

The second was a far more human appeal:  the intrepid trio running this trip.  Their positivity was unrelenting in the face of cold, grumpy Honors students, matched by their ability to make the outdoors accessible to even the most unexperienced of groups.  Their skills to make really good food in the backcountry helped.  Our trip was put together by the ECU Adventure Program, a hidden gem nestled in the back of the Student Recreation Center.

I felt an immediate connection with the Adventure staff.  They presented an amazing blend of outdoor knowledge and people skills, far surpassing my expectations of a primarily student-run organization.

Months later, after an unusual interview where I told a dirty joke and rambled about venomous snakes, I was hired to join the ECU Adventure Program.  At first, I felt that I would be out of place; how would a pre-veterinary student fit with an outdoor program?  But Adventure has taught me that the outdoors is not only for RCLS majors and adrenaline seekers.  I work with majors off all types–engineering, psychology, political science, tourism, and nursing students to name only a few.  Adventure has opportunities for everyone.  Offering free climbing and paddling clinics, guided trips to rivers and mountains, as well as gear rentals for those who want to strike off on their own.  Everyone involved with Adventure is united by a similar love for new experiences and an appreciation for the nature.

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My favorite part of Adventure is the atmosphere.  The staff has a passion for teaching others, yet they are always seeking to learn.  Through rock climbing at Adventure, I have discovered one of my greatest limitations is self-doubt,  a crippling force that I failed to notice until it began to limit my advancement through climbing.  Adventure is a community of constant personal growth driven by constructive feedback.  I am learning to work through my limitations, motivated to refine my leadership skills.

Remember those hardworking Adventure employees from my Wilderness Writing paddle trip?  I will be a bridesmaid for the wedding of one of those staff, who graduated last year and served as my mentor for my first year at Adventure.  For me, Adventure has been much more than an awesome job.  I have met some of my dearest friends through this program, and have greatly advanced in my own skills as a student and a leader.  Give the outdoors a try–no prior experience required.