On the Horizon

I have gotten used to hearing from our community that they are not aware of Outdoor Adventures and everything we do. But I feel our story is pretty great and definitely want to shout it from the mountain top!

I am proud of how much Outdoor Adventures has grown since I started leading the program in 2010. We keep exploring new ideas and make new relationships each season. But our schedule can become so full we tend our focus on executing.

Since June we have delivered over 60 custom events for campus partners and community groups. In addition, we offer our own ambitious schedule, conduct regular staff trainings, and operate a year-round rental center managing hundreds of pieces of equipment.

Although our annual big trips are always the highlight, I believe there is a ton of value in all opportunities we provide to all of our customers.

The student renting camping gear for a weekend trip with friends; the family experiencing canoeing for the first time at the East Lagoon; or the ten years of pre-season teambuilding for our NIU Volleyball team. I am proud of our story even if many do not know it.

We strive to be a resource to our campus and community and have been creating great stories since 1985.

But on the horizon, our next chapter ahead is the news that a full-time Coordinator will be joining our team in mid-November. It has been over 20 years since our program had support in this role.

I feel that the program is making its way to a new vantage point. A place to reflect on where we have been and where we hope to go. I hope to continue to reflect and share, the goal we have with this blog site. This is a place to keep history of what has always mattered most: meaningful experiences shared outside along with the intense sense of community.

Feel free to leave a comment with a story from an Outdoor Adventure or share with us what you want to hear more about.