IU Outdoor Adventures gave senior Mary Beth Anderson memories that she said will last forever.\n"I remember we were all sitting on a deserted island in the middle of Florida Bay," Anderson said. "It was a gorgeous warm night and we were sitting around having a phenomenal conversation. The waves were lapping on the narrow sandy beach as we searched for shooting stars in the sky. Something like that -- with great people -- is hard to forget."\nIU Outdoor Adventures offers a variety of opportunities for students to expand their knowledge and experience of the great outdoors. \n"In the adventure trips program, we have about 80 to 90 outdoor recreation-type trips per year," coordinator Dave Calvin said. "These trips may include a day hike, a weekend trip or an extended trip, and usually occur during spring break."\nAlso available through Outdoor Adventures are courses for School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation credit. These one-hour courses are designed to teach participants useful skills in backpacking, cross country skiing, rock climbing, ice climbing and kayaking.\nOutdoor Adventures got its start as a Union Board program in 1972. By 1980, a complete staff of graduate students ran the program, and Calvin was hired as one of the coordinators in 1993. \nThis year, Calvin said, three new programs have been added. These include team adventure pursuits, day sessions and "the Quest," a 24-hour program that combines an adventure trip and a day session. Additionally, the Quest focuses on more in-depth and detailed activities for the outdoor environment.\n"Team Adventure Pursuits are the team-building programs that provide group development," Calvin said. "Organizations call us and ask us to have some team building, and we will do anything from an hour and a half up to a day-long program for them."\nThe day sessions allow groups to experience mobile, strategic activities, which encourage members to work as a team, Calvin said. \nParticipating in such trips is emotionally beneficial for the students, as well. Through the programs, students can develop a closer relationship with the world of nature, Calvin said.\nThese programs give students the opportunity to learn more than just information printed in textbooks, said senior Betsie Edgeworth, a participant.\n"I learned a lot about myself, like how to push my limits physically, mentally and emotionally," Edgeworth said. "I also learned how to work with a group to survive."\n"We had to paddle a certain distance each day in order to make it back in time and not run out of food and fresh water," she said. "Everyone had to do it, so we all had to encourage each other."\nAdventure trips are available year-round.\nFor more information, stop by the Indiana Memorial Union Activities Desk or call 855-2231.\n
Program offers team-building, fun
High-Adrenaline Excursions
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