Nathaniel Pierce, Staff Writer~
The Lynchburg College Outdoor Leadership Program will be headed to the Florida Everglades during the 2018 spring break. Peter Berry, the director of the OLP, is heading up the adventure. Altogether, there are 12 people going on the trip to the Everglades, eight of which are students. LC-OLP is partnering with Sweet Briar College on this trip.
For each person, the trip costs $300. This includes all of the transportation, camping accommodations and meals. According to Berry, OLP tries to make trips like this one as accessible as possible to any interested students at LC.
This is not the first, nor the last adventure that Berry and OLP have been working on. Just a couple of weeks ago, OLP partnered with Liberty University, Randolph College and SBC on a cave diving trip. They wish to get as many students involved in these activities as possible and to begin doing new and exciting things.
Berry said that he wants to see the program, “stretch to go where [it] hasn’t gone before.” Looking toward the future, Berry and the rest of OLP are looking at doing a few study abroad-style trips. He wants to see the group go to places like Iceland or Puerto Rico. Berry is also trying to get some of the trips that OLP does to count as a college credit for the students who participate.
On the return portion of the trip, OLP is planning on stopping in Manatee Springs in Florida for an overnight camping experience. They will also be snorkeling and exploring at the park. Berry said that the trip is going to be “very exciting” for everyone. They have a week of clear weather ahead, along with plenty of options for camping while in Florida. He said that “if the group wants to camp on the white sandy beaches, then they can,” and “if they want to camp further in on the mainland and work on navigation, they can do that too.” The trip is to be “fun and educational” and “group-led,” according to Berry.
For more information on OLP and all of their upcoming activities, visit their website at https://www.lynchburg.edu/student-life/outdoor-leadership-program/.
