By Bryce Watson

East Tennessee State University has a lot of good aspects about it. One thing in particular is a beautiful setting and a dedicated group of students who love to explore the outdoors.

ETSU Outdoor Adventures is an open group for students, faculty and staff, allowing them to pursue their interest in outdoor and recreational sports. It was started in January 2001 when Dave Mueller was hired on as the program coordinator for the outdoor recreation program. Outdoor Adventures has been growing in popularity since then.

“We can introduce people to a lot of different recreational activities,” said Mueller. “When they find something they enjoy, we help them pursue it.” In addition to providing recreational programs Outdoor Adventures also seeks to introduce skills such as leave no trace principles.

Outdoor Adventures hosts recreational outings in the local region and much further away. Participants in Outdoor Adventures have an impressive list of locations that they have traveled to. Groups of students have gone to Cumberland Island, the Everglades, the Grand Canyon twice, kayaking in the Florida Keys and even Ecuador.

Each outing has a limit of ten participants because of wilderness ethics restrictions according to Mueller. Following these guidelines helps to keep places as pristine as possible for future generations of outdoor enthusiasts.

If anyone is interested in attending an outing but they don't have important equipment, they can rent any equipment they need from the Center for Physical Activity. Backpacks, sleeping bags, tents and other equipment are all available even for very low-budget adventurers.

In addition to Outdoor Adventures, several other clubs on campus including the climbing, bike and whitewater teams are in the campus recreation program.

These groups offer competitive events for students to compete with other colleges while doing the sport they love. But for some students, the recreational trips are the best option.

The most recent excursion was a canoe trip to Congaree National Park in South Carolina. Emily Miller, a junior, majoring in public health, was one of the students who were able to canoe in the flooded park.

“It was fun and relaxing and a good time to experience a different part of the country,” said Miller.

The staff did most of the trip preparation including getting gear such as tents, canoes and cooking equipment.

“It was really cool because you could go and not have to worry about food or gear,” said Miller. “It was all covered by the staff.”

Before going on a trip, participants meet with Outdoor Adventure staff the Wednesday before the outing to go over expectations of the trip.

Alex Cox, a junior majoring in parks and recreation management, began going on outings with Outdoor Adventures when he was a freshman.

“I went on a few trips when I was a freshman and got to know those people,” said Cox.

Cox is now a senior staff member of Outdoor Adventures and has worked on several trips including the outing to Congaree National Park.

“I've been on backpacking and camping trips and I just wanted to do the next thing and start leading trips,” said Cox.

Lydia White, a junior majoring in anthropology had a similar experience.

“Seeing the mountains in the distance” is what inspired her to find a group of friends to explore them with.

White is now a staff member herself and loves to teach others to enjoy the outdoors.

“It gives you confidence, being outdoors,” said White.

The next major Outdoor Adventures outing will be during spring break. The group will travel to Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge in the Everglades, according to Mueller. The cost will be $545 and anyone is welcome to sign up.

Outdoor Adventures is not an exclusive club and rarely do the same group of people go on two different trips.

“It was great because you got to meet students you normally wouldn't on campus and got to bond with them,” said Miller.