Are you tired of the typical sports, like soccer, basketball, etc.? Well, you are in-luck because the University of Lynchburg’s Outdoor Leadership Program (OLP) is excited to take you on an adventure that you have never gone on before! Some activities that OLP hosts are rock climbing, hiking, rappelling, whitewater rafting, and – even – caving.
The OLP activities are centered around fun and adventure while in a positive environment. “I am really excited for all the awesome trips this semester with the Outdoor Leadership Program. It is a great program that allows students to gain leadership experience while having fun in the outdoors,” said OLP Experienced Guide and third-year student Nat Hanno.
While having many students be involved in on-campus activities, like rappelling down the Drysdale Student Center back stairs, many of the OLP activities also take students off-campus. “I like OLP because it is nice to not have to worry about how you are going to get to the activity locations, where you are going, etc. The friendly, community atmosphere of the experience with other adventurous people is something that makes me want to keep coming back and taking part in the activities,” said second-year women’s soccer goalkeeper and graphic design major Kate Duncan. She expressed how much she enjoyed hiking, especially with her friend Megan, another second-year student.
Hanno said, “One of the main goals of all OLP activities is to build the confidence of its participants.” By undergoing activities that one may have never done before, students will feel empowered by what they accomplish on these activities under the instruction of Safety and CPR Certified Experienced Guides. “These experiences with OLP are some that I will never forget because of the comradery and enjoyment that I have every single time I go hiking or try something new,” said Duncan.
OLP’s next big events are Night Zip Lining on Thurs., Feb. 27, Whitewater Kayaking on Sat., Feb. 29, St. Mary’s Wilderness Hiking Trip on Sun., Mar. 1, and Rappelling in Drysdale on Wed., Mar. 4. The travel amount per activity/trip varies, so please keep on the lookout for an email from olp@lynchburg.edu at least one week prior to its occurrence. All trip payments can be made at the HUB on the first floor of the Drysdale Student Center. Please come out to support your fellow Hornets and try something new to build your own confidence!
