Imagine beginning
your college career in the middle of the woods, under a tarp, trying
to figure out where you are.
For 36 incoming freshman last summer, a 20-mile
hike with perfect strangers was their welcome to Appalachian.
First Ascent, a program offered as part of Phase
One Orientation, presented arriving Appalachian students with the
opportunity to extend their orientation experience by participating
in a three-and-a-half day backpacking trip in the Pisgah National
Forest.
“I gained so much from [First Ascent],” said freshman
Lisa A. Fowler. Fowler, along with 11 other students, began her
career as an Appalachian student by participating in First Ascent.
Fowler, a Florida native, did not have any backpacking experience,
but felt she needed First Ascent to welcome her into the mountains.
“I got off the trail and I was ready to stay here,” said
Fowler. She said her experience from First Ascent was a defining
part of her decision to stay at Appalachian.
“I decided this is definitely where I wanted to be,” said
Fowler.
Appalachian’s Adventure Education Specialist, Andrew Miller,
said students cooked their own food, navigated themselves and slept
under tarps instead of tents.
“The primary focus was to develop relationships with other
students and develop a peer base,” said Miller.
Ashley M. Owens said she feels First Ascent did just that.
“The first two weeks of school I hung out with all First Ascent
people,” said Owens. She said the most positive aspect she
gained from First Ascent was a grasp on teamwork.
“I learned you accomplish more when you put your heads together,”
said Owen.
Trip leaders with the Outdoors Program lead small groups of 12 students
through the Wilson Creek District. Miller explained that the student
guides worked as “risk managers.” Participants were encouraged
to become self-sufficient much like every college student learns
to be through the course of their education.
“It’s their own experience,” said trip leader Carson
G. Rivers, a junior recreation management major. “They make
what they want out of it. It’s like college. They are on their
own more than they have been in the past.”
Rivers said he felt the program was worthwhile for students and
not only introduced them to college life, but also a new diverse
group of people.
“I think they left feeling they had made some real bonds and
friendships,” said Rivers.
Trip leader and junior interdisciplinary studies major Zachary D.
Lesch-Huie said the confidence participants gained from the program
added to the list of benefits.
“They had the opportunity to gain problem solving skills and
confidence in the ability to solve problems in a new situation with
a new group of people,” said Lesch-Huie. “One of the most
meaningful things to me was to watch that process occur and be a
half-way guide to that part.”
Miller said he hopes to see the success of First Ascent’s inaugural
year expand further this coming summer by adding a fourth trip to
the existing three opportunities offered last summer. |
