Testimonials
I learned more about who I am in three days of no coffee and limited showering than I have from a combination of every paper I have written, every article I have analyzed, and every teacher who has lectured me. The importance of this class did not lie in the kayaking techniques or the single credit I gained. It grew out of a basic need to know what I stood for and what I was missing out on by not knowing.
Ashley D.
Whitewater Kayaking
I really liked being out in the canoes and would like to learn more about canoeing and possibly try whitewater canoeing. I also learned that I can go out and have a good time without going out to the bars with my friends. I had a lot of fun on this canoe trip and had the opportunity to make some new friends. In fact, I already have plans to hang out with some of my new friends from the canoeing class. It was refreshing to know that there is more out there than just going out at night in Bloomington with my friends. I also learned that I can be outgoing and meet new people and have fun.
Vanessa D.
Canoeing
A big part of this course was also kayaking. Funny, I took this class to learn about kayaking and ended up learning so much more about myself. ...This was not just a class for me. This was lesson about living out of your box and opening yourself to an opportunity because Iíll never have full, meaningful life if I do not.
Christina W.
Coastal Kayaking
Although I didnít exactly dominate the walls, I feel like I made a good choice in taking the course. I feel like I got more out of a one credit HPER class than I have out of the other nine classes Iíve taken combined.
Brittany M.
Indoor Climbing
This backpacking trip consisted of a lot of people with different backgrounds relying on each other for various things. This turned out to be the thing that I enjoyed the most about the trip. It was different than what I was used to. I was able to meet new people in an intimate setting rather than at a bar, a party, or in a classroom. There were people from different backgrounds, different views, and different interests. We were all able to come together and put aside our differences and enjoy nature. I know that might sound cheesy but it is true.
Zac L.
Backpacking
Last weekend was honestly a life changing experience for me. I learned so much about so many different things. I really donít even know where to start about all of this because of how amazing this experience was for me. But here it goes:
When I started school here at IU, I had no idea whatsoever about what I wanted to be when I grow up and what I want to do with my life. All I knew is I wanted to do something that would help to make the world a better place. I started taking random classes and kept trying to figure out what exactly I wanted to do. It was always easy for me when registration came around to find classes that I fell in love with but when it came to fitting all those classes into one major, I was lost. Then, with a little coaxing by my mother, I found that education would be a wise path to take. First of all I love working with kids. Second of all, education is something that is key in making the world a better place. And finally, in education you have to take all different kinds of classes. So I could still take all of my different classes and fit them into one major.
However, there was a problem. I figured out that another one of my passions of life was the outdoors. I realized that being in a classroom was not my cup of tea. And so, as of right now, I have this problem. I love kids and I want to teach them but I want to teach them about the outdoors and the environment. There isnít really a major for this and I donít really know what I should do. But, at least after last weekend, the backpacking trip really solidified this passion of mine and I now know that I really want to teach kids about the outdoors. Right when I got back, I went online and went to the school of HPER website and looked into majoring in Outdoor Recreation and Resource Management (which I am already minoring in). I donít really know if I will end up switching majors but I am definitely considering it.
The backpacking trip really made me realize that there is just so much to be taught about the outdoors. I think that it would be so amazing if kids were taught the Leave No Trace Principles. These principles really interest me and I just want to teach them to every little kid I see. I wish I were taught these principles much earlier on in life. They really should be something that is a standard taught to everyone. And, being all about teaching, another thing I loved about this course what the fact that the lessons were student taught. I had so much fun preparing for my lesson. I also loved hearing lessons from all the different people in out class. It really brought the group together and was an excellent way of teaching us all of the important topics covered.
This class really gave me a whole new outlook on the outdoors and made me feel very confident about going into the outdoors again. It also taught me important life lessons that are related to backpacking. All of the Leave No Trace Principles can especially be related to everyday life. For example, plan ahead and prepare is important in everything. When it comes to school or a job or even a hobby, planning ahead and being prepared is always key in a tasks success. For me, I always try to plan ahead and prepare. But, last weekend really showed me the importance of this and why I really should always plan ahead and prepare. I wonít go into all of the principles but they can all be related to everyday life. Because all these principles do relate to everyday life, I think kids should be taught these principles at a young age.
This class also taught me about my role in the outdoors. I realized that I am a visitor to the outdoors and as a visitor it is my obligation to leave no trace. Because I love the outdoors so much, I respect it and want to keep it the way it is forever so that everyone that wants to will have the chance to really enjoy it for themselves as well.
Liz G.
Backpacking
I have made so many friends though climbing and become part of a community of climbers. The climbing community is my new niche that I would like to stay a part of as long as I can. It provides me with healthy and productive recreational activities and friendships to last a lifetime. Climbing has only brought me good things and brought out the best in me. I have developed a hobby and lifestyle that will be a part of me for many years to come.
Lisa R.
Indoor Intermediate Climbing
Going on this trip I was kind of hesitant about it; just the fact of spending an entire weekend with people that I didnít know, and without any connection to the life that I had become so accustomed to. But instead of being upset about missing out on Little Five, I was able to learn more about myself and many more things. I am definitely glad that I went on this trip. This trip really changed my priorities in life. Itís weird because going into this trip I would have never thought that I would learn much about myself. But in the end, I learned more about myself than anything else.
Ryan T.
Coastal Kayaking
The whole notion of rock climbing and being agile and muscular brought about a sort of revolution in my personal life. After the first few classes I would notice my arm and leg muscles being sore and overworked. This lack of strength made me begin a regular exercise routine. I had never been much into exercising before, but now that I had a purpose, it was well worth the effort. By lifting weights and doing cardio exercises on a regular basis, my arm and leg strength became much more noticeable and climbing became easier than before. This new found love of exercise has had a dramatic impact on my lifestyle and I am more in shape now than ever before.
Cristina M.
Indoor Climbing, Spring
It has only been a week since the trip, and I can already tell a difference in myself. I have always wanted to join different clubs and organizations around campus, but was previously scared to because I had no one who would join with me. This week I have already put an application in to join a club and went to a call-out meeting. I look forward to experiencing life now on my own with minimal help. I know I am capable of doing what I really want to do. I feel the urge to leave my comfort zone and attempt different activities I normally never would have. I never want to stunt myself with my fear of failure ever again.
Kimberly B.
Whitewater Rafting
I have spent many years in classrooms analyzing literature and problem solving sociological dilemmas; however I feel my education has missed much of the immediacy in applying skills that R110 Rock Climbing has offered. I know the knowledge that my English and Sociology studies have given me will help me in the future, but I feel as if this class has offered equally valuable lessons in motivation, social skills, and in encouraging good health and a good relationship with oneís environment.
Peregrine B.
Rock Climbing
An experience like this forces one to be outside of their comfort zone in many aspects. Although it can be disconcerting at times, it eventually strengthens you as an individual, and I can fervently profess that this is the case with myself. Overall, I would say that anyone who has the chance to take this class should. It made me not only appreciate nature and its beauty more than I ever had, but also taught me lessons that will be applied to my life until the day I die. Despite whatever regrets I may have about college when I look back on it in my 50ís, the backpacking trip will never be one of them.
Oriane R.
Backpacking
I guess that all that I really have to say is that I really appreciate R110 classes and I would suggest them to anyone. ÖFor the first time in my life, I feel like I have a direction that truly fits my passion for the outdoors and my need for financial security. I havenít gotten everything figured out after my weekend of heavy packs and smelly new friends, but I do know that I will enjoy the trip to wisdom.
Ashley D.
Backpacking
Even though graduation and learning to whitewater raft for the first time seem completely unrelated, I drew so many similarities even before sitting down to write this paper. My upcoming graduation represents a life stage change. Having been a student for most of my life, the thought of no longer being one is a bit unsettling. My future is unknown. I feel like this course has given me much more confidence in tackling the unknown. I started out with virtually no knowledge of anything river or rafting related and came out just fine. Just as I was unable to relate rafting to anything I had done before, I hope that I have the same success with future endeavors, whether it is a profession, or maybe white water kayaking!
I found that confidence, persistence and patience are essential when trying to learn anything new. I learned that itís important to try new things, because I might be surprised at how much I like them. And most importantly, I learned that no matter what Iím doing, I might as well try to enjoy myself as much as possible, because attitude makes the experience. In the end, I would say I learned just as much about myself and my outlook on learning new things as I did about whitewater rafting.
Karen C.
Whitewater Rafting
