Garrett College recently offered a 13-day sampler course – Foundations of Adventuresports (OLA 101) – that included rock climbing, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, backpacking, and canoeing. Pictured, left to right, are Sam Clingman, Brendan DeVault, Lakelyn Fowler, Elias Brown, Nathan Alldridge, Caleb Sullivan (back to camera), Travis Martin, Sierra Reckley, and Adjunct Instructor Eric Sauder.
The OLA sampler had something for everyone.
Garrett College’s Outdoor Leadership & Adventure (OLA) Education program got a jump start on the fall semester with a 13-day sampler course. The course – Foundations of Adventuresports (OLA 101) – provided students with the opportunity to sample rock climbing, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, backpacking, and canoeing.
Associate Professor Terry Peterson said one of the goals of the sampler was to have the seven-student cohort create an enduring bond.
“We focused a lot on working together as a team through compassion, and understanding,” said Peterson. “Pushing each other and holding each other up. Keeping each other safe. Leaving the wilderness better than you found it, and coming home with new friends, skills, appreciation, and memories.”
Caleb Sullivan – currently dual-enrolled at Frostburg State University and Garrett College – said the sampler was a great experience.
“The part of the sampler that I enjoyed the most was our backpacking trip into Dolly Sods,” said Sullivan, a native of Owings Mills. “Getting to spend all that time in the beautiful nature was awesome. I also really enjoyed the class dynamics curated by the instructors.
“The most valuable experience I gained was being able to challenge myself and overcome those challenges,” added Sullivan, saying rock climbing was a perfect example. “I thought it was really fun, but I’m scared of heights, and I was still able to do it.”
The class used the Lower Youghiogheny to introduce the whitewater experience.
“It was an excellent backdrop for students to experience teamwork, cooperation, and effective communication while allowing many of them to face long-held fears,” said Peterson, who was assisted by OLA graduates Ana Sines and Lane Maust, with support from Frostburg State University’s Elias Brown (FSU/OLA concentration).
Professor Andy Hershey then led the students on a four-day, three-night backpacking expedition through West Virginia’s Dolly Sods Wilderness. That was followed by a trip to Nelson Rocks, WV, to sample rock climbing and the Via Ferrata.
“Foundations of Adventure Sports is our introductory field skills class where we spend a significant amount of time in the backcountry exposing students to fundamental skills that apply in many different outdoor leadership situations,” said Hershey.
“Students not only learn important skills that they’ll rely upon throughout their college and professional careers,” said Hershey. “Students and faculty also build relationships that are unique in the college environment.”
Adventure Equipment Center Manager Scott Richardson then put the students through a mountain biking obstacle course at Garrett College, a pump-track at the Lion’s Club Meshack Browning Trails, and single-track riding at Broadford Lake.
The sampler also included a three-day, two-night canoe trip on the Paw Paw section of the Potomac River. Weather and water levels were challenging leading up to launch, but the group was greeted with sunshine and 90-degree weather, with just enough water to float them downstream 12 miles to their first destination.
Another highlight of the trip was Leave No Trace training, which emphasizes ensuring a sustainable future for the outdoors.
The two-week course finished with debriefing and a cookout – with OLA and Adventuresports alumni in attendance – before a closing OLA huddle to cement the shared experience.
