Today we will not kayak. About 3 AM the wind started to pick up. I could tell because the sand from the beach began to build up in my sleeping bag and spray onto my face. 'El Norte' as it's called in Baja, is the strong wind that hits the east shore of Baja, Mexico in the winter. Instead of paddling through azul waters heading to our next sandy beach today, we will go for a hike along the beach.
A group from the University of Wyoming Outdoor Adventure Program was sea kayaking in Baja, Mexico this past January with San Diego State University's Aztec Adventures Program. The trip was for five days and four nights in the Bahia De Los Angles, roughly a third the way down on the Baja Peninsula in the Sea of Cortez.
Aztec Adventures is just one of many outdoor programs at different colleges and universities across the nation that take students on inexpensive expeditions and adventures. Many perspective students decide which college to attend based on outdoor activities and programs offered. These programs help attract potential students, by giving them something to focus on outside of their classes. Outdoor activities allow students to blow off steam, learn skills, and have a good time.
The following schools across the nation have particularly interesting outdoor programs and opportunities:
UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
Tucked into southeastern Wyoming between the Snowy and Laramie mountain ranges, the University of Wyoming (UW) is an ideal place for outdoorsy students to go to school. Far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Colorado's Front Range (about two hours from Denver), Laramie has an active student population and boasts an inexpensive education, rivaling most colleges' in-state tuition rates. Students have quick and easy access to rock climbing, cross country skiing, wilderness areas to backpack, three different rivers to kayak, raft or fly fish, all within an hour of town. For students who want to learn outdoor skills, improve the skills they have, meet students with similar interests or just head out to do something fun like ice climbing, white water kayaking, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, caving or backpacking, the UW's Outdoor Adventure Program offers a large variety of regional outings, clinics and programs. In addition, the program offers a wilderness based orientation program, a climbing wall, and a large inventory of outdoor equipment for students to rent.
SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY
Besides sea kayaking trips, Aztec Adventures offers a plethora of outings for students to the Baja Peninsula. Choose from a surf Safari in Cabo San Lucas to whale watching trips south of Ensenada. Prices for these trips range anywhere from $150 to $800, with trip length ranging anywhere from three to ten days. According to Jim Lustig, Outdoor Programs Coordinator, "our trips are all inclusive, with transportation, equipment, most meals and lodging included." Aztec employs student leaders and Mexican guides to assist with the many facets of trip logistics and leadership. Leaders are well versed in the ecology, history and the special cultural considerations of the Peninsula.
WESTERN STATE COLLEGE
Gunnison, Colorado is located in the southeast region of the state. The town is flanked by mountain ranges that provide fantastic outdoor opportunities for students. Western State College, located in Gunnison, CO offers an enhanced wilderness orientation program with 5 to 9 day courses in Utah and southeastern Colorado. Students choose between rafting, mountaineering, backpacking, rock climbing, and river and lake kayaking. Matt Tyler is the Program Director for the Wilderness Based Orientation (or WBO). According to Tyler, the mission of the program is to assist incoming students with their transition to college in a supportive environment of fun, friendship and teamwork. Students do not need prior experience to participate in any of the outings. They learn a multitude of skills while out on their program. A unique aspect of the program is that most of the leaders of the WBO programs are Western State students, and most leaders were also once participants of the WBO. It's not surprising that this school's mascot is the Mountaineer.
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
For those lucky enough to meet the admissions requirements, Cornell University is one of many Ivy League schools in the east to have extensive outdoor programs. Cornell Outdoor Education (COE) has significant opportunities for students and for student leadership. The program has grown substantially since it's inception in 1972. COE now provide over 300 courses annually, many of which are offered for credit through the Physical Education Department. According to Todd Minor, Director of Cornell Outdoor Education, most of their students come from urban environments. "This is one of the first chances they have to access these opportunities… and many of these same students who participate go on to lead many of our offerings." According to Minor, more than half of the programs they offer are taught by students, " …and this is a unique opportunity. I tell perspective students that there really is no other school where you could go to, and say that you have taught at an Ivy League school." COE also provides a variety of other programs and opportunities for leadership for students. COE can provide most equipment students need for any course. The program also has an outdoor retail store on campus where students can purchase a variety items at discounted rates. |
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