Students and staff at the Outdoor Leadership Ropes Course in Lynchburg VA. Photo retrieved from lynchburg.edu.
At the University of Lynchburg, leadership lessons are not always taught inside a classroom. Sometimes, they take place in places you would never expect: hiking trails, rock faces, and rivers. In those moments, students have to rely on teamwork, quick-decision making and trust in the people around them.
According to Program Director Tim Slusser, the program has been around since 1989. It has grown into a student focused initiative that offers trips, ropes courses, and countless leadership opportunities to teach students. Many trips are are intentionally inexpensive so that students can participate without having to worry about money.
“Most of those trips are five, ten, fifteen dollars,” Slusser said. “They always include lunch and transportation, guides, everything.”
The program focuses heavily on experiential learning, meaning students learn leadership by actually practicing it during outdoor trips and activities. During the trips and activities, students are often given leadership roles and later talk through what happened so they can take away from the experiences.
“We’re allowing students the time and opportunity to be put in leadership positions and try,” Slusser said. “Then we’ll debrief, learn from mistakes, and give them opportunities to apply what they’ve learned.”
Slusser said he has seen many students enter the program unsure of themselves, but by the end they leave with far more confidence and leadership.
“I’ve had students who were nervous freshmen, and now I would put them head to head against any outdoor leader,” he said.
Slusser works alongside Outdoor Leadership Programs coordinator Riley Mitchell, who helps run the ropes course and organize many of the recreational trips offered throughout the semester. Through outdoor challenges and teamwork, the program gives Lynchburg students opportunities to grow both personally and as leaders.
To learn more about the Outdoor Leadership Program, visit: https://www.lynchburg.edu/student-life/community-development-2/outdoor-recreation/outdoor-leadership-program/
