For the first time ever, University students will be traveling around the Southeast as part of University Recreation’s Adventure Education Trip Program.
“This program has been in planning stages for a while but is just now being unveiled,” UREC director Laurie Braden said. “Many other universities have programs similar to this. We owe it to our students to provide them with the best experience possible.”
The trip received a significant amount of interest Wednesday at UREC’s All-Access event, according to Chris Bullard, adventure education coordinator.
Bullard said the program has been in the works for some time.
“When I was hired, there was talk about establishing a trip program,” he said. “It was something I was passionate about and pushed forward with it. Other colleges have a program; why shouldn’t LSU?”
The first trip will bring students to Martin Dies Jr. State Park in Texas on Feb. 24. The second trip is a month later to the Bogue Chitto River in Mississippi. The program winds down with trips to St. Joseph’s State Park in Florida and Sandrock, Ala.
Equipment for the trip is provided by the UREC with funds from the trip fee, according to Bullard.
“Students pay $60 for the first trip and are set to go,” Bullard said. “All students have to provide is clothes and food.”
Students traveling to St. Joseph’s State Park will get the most for their money, as new kayaks will be purchased in February for the trip.
“It is so much different than anything else you can do at LSU,” said Kimberly D’Souza, mathematics graduate student. “It is a great opportunity to get exercise, but it also looks like a lot of fun.”
Bullard said students are already signing up, with a few spots remaining for the first trip, which will consist of canoeing and hiking. However, students will decide how much or how little activity is planned.
“Besides just having fun, we also want to practice ‘leave no trace,'” Bullard said. “It is going to be a learning experience as well as a good time.”
The course is designed for all experience levels. However, a free belay clinic offered in the UREC Climbing Gym is recommended.
Registration for all trips is currently open. Students can sign up at the UREC equipment desk or the front desk.
 
____
Contact Joshua Bergeron at [email protected]