Mind-blowing experiences

Wright State University students and Outdoor Resource Center trip leaders embarked on two road trips to a national park and a national geological area.

Wright State’s Outdoor Resource Center transported eight students to the Grand Canyon National Park over Spring Break. The students, including Markus Perry, a senior majoring in organizational leadership, started at the south rim of the park and hiked 28 miles down to the Colorado River and camping under the stars.

“It was mind-blowing,” said Perry. “I was thinking about how many other people have hiked this over the hundreds of years.”

Ten students in the Wright State Climbing Club traveled to Red River Gorge in Kentucky for a four-day hiking and rock-climbing trip.

“I came to Wright State and the first thing I fell in love with is climbing,” said Aakriti Aakriti, a first-year international student majoring in biological sciences. “I’m from India, and I’ve been telling every one of my friends and my relatives I’m having fun and you should be jealous, and they are.”

Perry encourages more students to participate in Outdoor Resource Center programs.

“I’ve been at this school going on three years now and this is my first time ever going and I’m kicking myself for not going on different trips that they’ve had in the past,” he said.

Students paid a small fee for both trips for travel expenses, food, equipment and housing.

“For the Grand Canyon trip, it’s $500 per person,” said Erin Compaleo, outdoor recreation program manager. “It really is an opportunity that students should take advantage of while they’re here.”

To learn more about the Outdoor Resource Center and upcoming trips and clinics visit wright.edu/student-affairs/campus-recreation/outdoor-resource-center.