The Outdoor Leadership Program continues to develop WCC’s students into tomorrow’s leaders, beginning this semester with our annual 21-day Freshmen NOLS course. This year, 35 incoming freshman, 4 student leaders, 2 professors, 4 priests, and 8 NOLS instructors developed and practiced their leadership skills in the demanding and authentic alpine mountain environment of the Wind River Mountain Range. Students returned experiencing numerous tough and challenging situations, gaining valuable insights about themselves and others that will transfer to their future lives here at WCC (and far beyond). While the freshman were living in the wilderness, an additional 18 students completed the 10-day Wilderness First Responder Course and received their WFR certification -- a hefty certification for any outdoor leader.
Providing more opportunities for students to lead in the backcountry, this fall’s Outdoor Weekend saw a total of 112 students participate in 11 different trips. The trips ranged from backpacking and peak ascents, to canoeing, backcountry fishing, and even included a backpacking group that climbed East Temple Peak speaking only in Latin for the entire trip. In addition, a group of 34 students headed south to Zion National Park in Utah. In Zion four different groups of students did a variety of hikes and adventures including two technical slot canyons where they had to rappel multiple times into pools of freezing cold water. The wetsuits did not appear to be necessary until they hit the water, however, the biggest challenge consisted of a 120-foot free hanging rappel. All the trips returned safely with plenty of great stories and highlights.
In addition to the wilderness trips, WCC’s rock climbing program has also expanded with the help of competent and confident student instructors. This semester, eight students with prior rock climbing training completed the 2-day certification course allowing them to lead and instruct the rest of the student body. Various weekend trips and afternoon trips have now exposed nearly half of the college’s students to this exciting and challenging activity.
The First Annual Sinks Canyon Adventure Race was a great success. Saturday, October 29, before the Halloween dance, eight teams tackled the course which involved a variety of challenges including: 1.5 miles of jogging/running, a tightrope with hand line across the river, a 40 foot rock climb, a 50 foot rappel, a Tyrolean Traverse across the river, a 6 mile bike ride and a number of other challenges throughout the course requiring problem solving and teamwork. This test run proved Sinks Canyon to be a perfect venue for future races.
Now winter is upon us, and the first cross-country ski trip took place last weekend. As freshmen look forward to their 7-day winter expedition in January, other students are eager for this winter’s ice climbing and backcountry ski trips. Then, as the weather warms up and the snow melts, students will get to try whitewater rafting and continue to rock climb, mountain bike and much more.
Ultimately, the Outdoor Leadership Program continues to evolve and meet the needs of WCC’s vision to incorporate a strong, cutting edge liberal arts education with an unprecedented outdoor leadership program to send forth tomorrow’s leaders to shape and better our future.
Dr. Thomas Zimmer is Assistant Professor of Leadership & Outdoor Education at Wyoming Catholic College.
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