Into the Great Outdoors

As a kid growing up in Rockland County, I loved the outdoors. That is to say, I loved to play sports outside. I knew nothing, however, about “the great outdoors.” I had never been exposed to it. I have a very large extended family and, to this day, none of my relatives have ever gone camping. My own introduction to the great outdoors occurred during my junior year of college when I was reminded that all Physical Education majors were required to complete a two-week Outdoor Education course in the Adirondacks in order to graduate. This course made SUNY Cortland’s Physical Education program unique compared to other colleges, and it was something the university was very proud of. I was nervous, to say the least. In hindsight though, that course changed my life, and I have treasured its memory ever since.

It all started with my buddies and I driving a few hours north to Raquette Lake, located in the heart of the Adirondacks. Our home base for most of the next two weeks was only accessible by boat. Arriving on the island, we were immediately told by the instructors to change into our bathing suits for our swim test, which was to be followed by canoe and water rescue training. It was early May, and there was still snow glistening on the mountain summits of the High Peaks region off in the distance. One by one, we did as we were told and jumped into the crystal-clear blue lake. As each of us re-emerged, we gasped from the sensation of the frigid water. “Welcome to the great outdoors,” I thought.

The rest of the course continued to challenge me in ways I had never experienced. I went canoeing for the first time, learned to portage, carried a heavy backpack for days on end, slept in a lean-to at Marcy Dam, and even summited Mt. Marcy, the highest mountain in New York. Throughout those two weeks, I sweat, I froze, I slipped, I fell; I was exhausted, hungry, and thirsty. In the High Peaks region, it rained a lot, and our 10-hour round-trip hike to the summit of Mt. Marcy was rewarded with no view. My rain jacket was not particularly effective against the elements, nor were my “hiking” boots. And yet, these experiences changed me forever.

Once I became exposed to the great outdoors, I immediately fell in love with nature. I often wonder what other experiences I might have missed out on had I never taken that outdoor education course. For instance, I may have never learned the skills to camp in the summer, much less the winter, my favorite season. I probably would not have gained the confidence to attempt to climb glaciated peaks, such as Mt. Rainier, or think it was possible to ride a mountain bike, unsupported, from Canada to Mexico. Before I took that course, I could not understand why people would choose to sleep outdoors. I never would have thought to watch the sun rise from the summit of Mt. Marcy on a frozen, wind-bitten January morning. After all, to do so means starting your hike in the pitch black at 2 or 3 a.m., and that takes some getting used to. Yet, I am now a certified Leave No Trace – Master Educator, and I recertified as a Wilderness First Responder this past summer. Both certifications were earned through the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), a renowned leader in outdoor education.

As we all know, some of the most beautiful places on Earth are also some of the most fragile. Aside from loving the experiences that the outdoors can give us, it is also critical for us to have as little impact as possible. At the start of every outdoor education course at Hackley, the seven Leave No Trace Principles are the very first lessons taught to our students. The principles range from planning ahead and preparing, to being considerate of other visitors. In addition, traveling and camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly, leaving what you find, minimizing campfire impacts, and respecting wildlife are all equally important. The Leave No Trace principles are non-negotiables, and our students learn that on day one.