Outdoor Adventure Program Helps Students Get Out of Their Comfort Zones
01/19/2017
By Ed Brennen
Arianne Brundrett knew she鈥檇 learn about exotic wildlife and diverse ecosystems when she joined the Outdoor Adventure Program鈥檚 annual sea kayaking trip to Florida over winter intersession.
Much to the surprise of the senior exercise physiology major from Milford, however, she also learned about Brazilian culture and the Chinese education system 鈥� an unexpected bonus of taking part in an unforgettable 12-day adventure with fellow students.
鈥淚t was great because everyone brought something new about their culture to the table,鈥� says Brundrett, one of nine students to participate in this year鈥檚 trip. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 think I鈥檇 learn so much about the other people, but everyone was so open and friendly. It was really cool to see the dynamic of different people working together.鈥�
Supported by Campus Recreation, the Outdoor Adventure Program provides members of the university community with dozens of fun and structured experiences throughout the academic year that promote personal development, teamwork and environmental awareness. From ambitious weeklong trips like Appalachian Trail backpacking and whitewater rafting over spring break to weekly excursions to a rock-climbing gym in Woburn, the program is for people of all skill levels and abilities.
Pallav Ratra, a first-year master鈥檚 student in engineering management, had never been camping in his life, let alone spent five days paddling from island to island in a sea kayak. But when he saw a poster advertising the Florida trip at the Campus Rec Center last fall, he decided to go for it.
鈥淚t was amazing. I loved it,鈥� says Ratra, an international student from India who earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Liverpool in England. 鈥淢y father suggested I go to New York City over winter break, but I鈥檝e done the touristy thing in so many places. I wanted to do some outdoorsy stuff.鈥�
Despite being a kayaking and camping novice, Ratra says the trip leaders did an 鈥渁mazing鈥� job of teaching everyone the necessary skills to make the most of the adventure.
鈥淓veryone can do it,鈥� says Ratra, who appreciated learning about sea navigation from trip leader Kevin Soleil, assistant director of outdoor and bicycle programs. 鈥淲hen we were in open waters, Kevin was leading us in an arc. I said, 鈥榃hy can鈥檛 we just go straight?鈥� But he explained how it鈥檚 easier to go with the tide rather than straight through it.鈥�
Participants had the option of making the three-day drive to (and from) Florida with the group in a Campus Rec van or flying to Florida on their own. The university provided the kayaks, paddles, life vests and tents, and the $375 program fee helped cover the cost of groceries that the group packed into their boats for meals.
Once together, the group spent a day reviewing basic paddle skills and safety. It then set off on a five-day journey through the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge along Florida鈥檚 Gulf Coast, ending in Everglades National Park. Each night the group camped on a different island, preparing meals and taking part in activities such as yoga on the beach.
鈥淲e come home exhausted, but also refreshed and renewed,鈥� Soleil says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great way for students to enjoy the outdoors over their break.鈥�
Ratra says the toughest part of the trip was going without a shower for several days, but that was easily outweighed by the way the experience changed him.
鈥淚 used to be squeamish about touching things like a starfish or picking up a hermit crab, but then Kevin picked up a starfish and put it on his face,鈥� Ratra says with a laugh. 鈥淲hen he did that, my fear was gone.鈥�
Brundrett works part-time with the Outdoor Adventure Program and served as one of the three leaders on the trip, along with fellow student Matthew MacDonald. She says the experience taught her that it鈥檚 possible to unplug and live off the grid for a few days.
鈥淧eople did use their phones to take pictures, but there was no cell service and no way to charge them,鈥� she says. 鈥淪o people ended up having conversations and learning about each other instead of texting someone who鈥檚 hundreds of miles away. Everyone had a really good time.鈥�
Brundrett, an avid rock climber and rower who estimates she鈥檚 participated in 10 different trips with the Outdoor Adventure Program, says they鈥檙e a budget-friendly way for students to get out of their comfort zones and recharge, even for a few hours.
鈥淚t鈥檚 great that we have these opportunities to do so many cool things like hiking, snowshoeing, surfing and skydiving,鈥� she says.
Ratra is already looking ahead to his next adventure with the program.
鈥淚鈥檓 going to try something new like rock climbing,鈥� says Ratra, who can鈥檛 imagine planning such a trip on his own. 鈥淚f I go kayaking on my own, it would cost five times as much, and I wouldn鈥檛 have nearly as much fun. It鈥檚 more exciting in a group.鈥�
Ratra says he had 鈥渉undreds of emails and Facebook messages鈥� to catch up on when he returned home. But he鈥檚 also found time to meet up 鈥� in person 鈥� with several new friends he made while sitting around the campfire on the beach in Florida.
