Application Open for Free Fall Backpacking Trips for Students!

Do you have a love for the outdoors? Do you like to hike and camp? Are you interested in learning how to backpack? Come with us on a free student backpacking trip!

Backpacking is the combination of hiking and camping. Backpackers carry everything they need to survive in nature on their backs–food, water filters, tent, sleeping bag, clothes, first aid kit, toilet paper and more. Backpacking teaches us how to rely on ourselves, increases self-confidence, strengthens critical thinking skills and supports collaboration and communication.

Professor Indigo Eriksen began the Outdoors Project last year with the goal of increasing students’ sense of belonging and educating our community about ways to increase the access for all community college students and women, trans and nonbinary people to nature and wild spaces. The Outdoors Project is supported by a NOVA DEI Innovation Grant, NOVA Student Life and private donations. This fall, professors Karen Murph (AN) and Indigo Eriksen will lead two backpacking trips. Apply here by Friday, September 6.

The Outdoors Project will lead a group of seven or eight NOVA students on a three-day/two-night, overnight backpacking trip in Dolly Sods, a wilderness area and part of the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. There is no cost to participate; both trips are open to ALL NOVA students. Transportation will be provided from the Woodbridge Campus.

We have two trips going out this fall. Both will include facilitated discussion on improving a sense of belonging for women, nonbinary gender and transgender communities. No experience is required! These trips are designed for students with limited or no experience backpacking. MOST gear is provided. 55L backpacks are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You will need to provide your own hiking boots. If you can’t afford hiking boots, let Professor Eriksen know. We have limited funds to help you buy shoes. Check out our NOVA libguide for more info.

• Trip 1, Friday thru Sunday, September 27-29: Beginning Backpacking for co-ed students.
• Trip 2, Friday thru Sunday, October 18-20: Beginning Backpacking for women, nonbinary and transgender students.

Apply here. Click here for information on our monthly Walks in the Woods. Please share this great opportunity with your students!

Questions? Email Indigo (IEriksen@nvcc.edu).

Submitted by:
Indigo Eriksen, WO-English, IEriksen@nvcc.edu