In the spring break of 2015, I had an opportunity for an exciting adventure. Originally planning to relax lazily, my friend told me about a trip organized by UWSP’s adventure club to Florida. Despite never going on a spring break trip before, I eagerly joined. The best part was that it only cost around $40 dollars, making it affordable.
In addition to the affordable price, the club’s trip includes visits to Red River Gorge in Kentucky for outdoor rock climbing, the Great Smoky Mountains for challenging mountain backpacking, and Perdido Key in Florida for camping on sandy beaches filled with crabs. Upon returning home, the club’s final destination will be Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky.
Anticipation consumed me as I awaited the club meeting that would determine my eligibility for the trip. While the excursion was limited, it offered the best value for students. Thankfully, the number of competitors was relatively small since the trip was not widely advertised at the university. As the meeting finally commenced, my nerves overwhelmed me to the point where my face began to flush. Aside from my friend who had invited me, I did not recognize a single student in the room. While others engaged in conversation, I remained silent, unable to overcome my shyness around unfamiliar faces. I undoubtedly felt like an outsider in this gathering, but ultimately, my priority was seizing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Establishing new connections was not important; what truly mattered was securing my spot on the trip.
During the club meeting, the president asked for opinions on how to select students fairly. The suggestion of using seniority made me feel anxious, as I knew it would exclude me since I was only a third year sophomore. Thankfully, both the seniors and other club members dismissed this idea. Instead, it was agreed to assign numbers to everyone and choose from a hat.
The first fourteen lucky students had the chance to go on the trip. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation as we exchanged glances while the numbers were called. Unfortunately, my number was not chosen first, nor second or third. Every time a student’s number was called, they would erupt with joy. I tried to reassure myself that even if I wasn’t selected, I could still enjoy a relaxing spring break at home. However, when my number was finally called, I couldn’t contain my excitement. It was finally my turn! All my worries seemed insignificant in that moment. Sitting next to me, Lauren sarcastically commented on how this was the first time I spoke during the entire meeting. Despite her harsh tone, little did I know that Lauren would later become a close friend of mine.
Embarking on the ten-hour journey from Stevens Point to Red River Gorge in Kentucky provided me with the opportunity to acquaint myself with everyone. I was fortunate enough to secure the front passenger seat and took charge of playing music. We commenced by introducing ourselves to those we hadn’t met before, sharing our majors and interests, and gradually delving into more profound subjects encompassing politics and the environment. Jenny, Mariah, and the driver, Jarod, proved to be particularly talkative. The remaining passengers in the van consisted of two freshman boys, Cavan and Ethan. As newcomers to this group, neither of us contributed much to the discussions.
Occasionally, I participated in the conversation, but mainly I found joy in listening to the perspectives and stories of others. It was a pleasant surprise to find that all the individuals on the trip were approachable. After numerous stops and navigating through winding roads, we ultimately arrived at our destination close to midnight. Mariah and I were assigned to the same tent and had to search for a dry area since it had been raining at the gorge earlier in the day. Eventually, we located a suitable spot and with assistance from Kyle, the club’s president, we successfully assembled our tent.
