Discovering campus

Several Wright State University students participated in a unique wilderness experience called Freshman Outdoor Orientation Trip: Discover.

During the three-day program, incoming students met their new classmates and established relationships with older student leaders.

The students participated in climbing, kayaking and hiking and tackled physical puzzles as a team on the Wright State Low Ropes and Challenge Courses. They also took an introduction-to-kayaking course at Eastwood Metropark before traveling down the Great Miami River. They also took a three-mile hike in John Bryan State Park in Yellow Springs.

“I will tell everyone about this place, “said Jackson Robbins, a first-year student majoring in industrial systems engineering. “It’s a dream come true.”

The Wright State Outdoor Recreation Center hosted the activity, providing trip leaders, equipment, lodging, meals and transportation.

Andrea Reed, a senior majoring in earth and environmental sciences and Discover trip leader, said the objective was to create relationships that students will need during their college careers.

“It’s building these friendships and connections because when you’re having a hard time at school you really need those people to fall back on,” Reed said.