The WVU Outdoor Education Center is a multi-purpose facility dedicated to hosting educational activities and aerial adventures, including visiting the university's zip line.
(WVU photo)
Tpart of the landscape of the Mountain State, the West Virginia University Outdoor Education Center – executed by VM Adventure — offers members of the University and surrounding communities the opportunity to learn more about themselves and others by taking on challenges in nature.
Rachel Lasky, a junior forensic biology major from Ashburn, Virginia, found a sense of belonging when she turned to the outdoors.
“When I started at WVU, I didn’t really know who I was at the university or what I really wanted to be known for,” Lasky said. That was before she went to work two years ago at the OEC, located 10 miles east of the Morgantown campus in WVU Research Forest.
“Meeting everyone at the OEC and hearing all the different stories from those who were older than me really made me think that it was okay to not know everything and that I wasn’t supposed to” , she said. “It’s opened up so many opportunities for me to meet people I never would have thought of before and to do things I didn’t think I could do.” It also gave me lifelong friends.
The OEC is a multi-purpose facility dedicated to providing educational and aerial adventure activities, including WVU Zipline Canopy Tour, WVU Challenge Course and the Night setup of adventure base camp.
“Our low and high rope options are comparable to many universities across the country, but what makes us unique is that we are the only university to offer a full canopy zipline tour,” said Chad Boulanger, Assistant Director of Adventure WV. “Our overnight yurts and location also set us apart since we are in the middle of the 7,500-acre University Research Forest.”
April marks the start of the new OEC season which usually ends at the end of October.
All activities are open to WVU faculty, staff, students and student organizations. OEC staff strive to personalize experiences to help meet specific group goals, such as improving communications, while providing new experiences.
Parts of the OEC are also accessible to the public for reservations. via the Center’s website.
“We bring together a number of different groups at OEC – university groups, public groups, school groups, and we do targeted programs,” Baker said. “Whether it's leadership training, general team building or sharing experiences, that's where our focus is. »
Students who work at OEC, like Lasky, develop their communication and critical thinking skills.
“We've seen a lot of students who have progressed a lot after working for us because the work is very people-oriented,” Baker said. “You have to be able to speak in front of people and sometimes you have to be able to handle certain stressful environments. You will learn many transferable skills, whatever your specialization.
Jeff Devlin, a junior mechanical and aerospace engineering double major from Bryan, Ohio, has been with Adventure WV for over two years. At the OEC, he helped many people step out of their comfort zone, something he struggled with in the past.
“I think what I've gotten from working at the OEC is a real sense of fulfillment in helping people overcome their fears,” Devlin said. “A lot of people come to participate in these high ropes elements and realize that they may not be very comfortable swinging 30+ feet in the air on a harness. I know when I first started working here I was afraid of heights, but being constantly up high every day during the summer helped me feel more comfortable and start to take advantage of it.
OEC participants range in age, including elementary school students who come in large groups throughout the summer during camps.
This is an opportunity for younger students to learn life skills designed for their specific age group, such as tag games and other movement games for elementary students. If they meet the height and weight requirements, some are also able to participate in the high and low rope adventures at the Challenge Course Facility.
“I like working with elementary school kids because the groups are always very energetic and ready to play lots of games,” Devlin said. “I also enjoy the challenge aspect of the young participants coming to the course, as many have never had any experience at height before and it is really rewarding to help them through a difficult part of mountain climbing. alpine tour or to help calm their nerves if they are having problems. afraid.”
Lasky remembers the time when a shy elementary school student was hesitant to participate in the Canopy Tour, but went ahead and finished with a smile on his face.
“It’s a wonder to see what people are capable of in all different age groups,” she said. “For most, this might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience and you won't'I don't want to look back on this day in the future and be disappointed that I didn't take full advantage of this opportunity. Who knows? You may just find something you really like or something you don't like, but at least you can say you tried it.
Adventure WV is marking its 20th anniversary serving the University and surrounding communities by offering all kinds of discovery opportunities.
Find more information about the Outdoor Education Center.
In downtown Morgantown, Adventure WV also offers Morgantown Adventure Outfitters in collaboration with the city, by proposing kayak and bike rental And guided programs through the Mon River Trail from its Walnut Street location which is open to the public. Morgantown Adventure Outfitters also opens for the season in April.
“Overall, our goal is to help people connect with each other in meaningful ways while having fun,” Baker said.
-WVU-
sm/4/3/24
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