NOVA Outdoors Project

OGoing on this backpacking trip was exactly the trip I needed to go on to test my physical strength, mental strength and socialness and being open to the newness of the trip. I never went backpacking/camping before so I was completely new, but Indigo and Amy were so helpful, knowledgeable, caring and open. I will definitely remember this trip forever and it made me even more inspired to do more trips like these and feel confident in doing so. Also the new people I met on this trip were so great as well, it really brought me out of my shell and the pals I met were so kind and genuine. To have a program like this I think is so smart, and creative and just something I think everyone needs. Also to have the opportunity to go on a trip like this and learn as we are experiencing was so beneficial for me. I can’t wait to get out there again. :)

Fostering a sense of belonging and purpose, making someone feel as if they are a part of something much larger than themselves has become an increasingly difficult task in our rapidly evolving world. The modern, electronic means we have of connecting with others can also serve as the destruction of any purpose we have of connecting with others. It is something that I have struggled with, feeling as if I'm part of anything but myself in an increasingly digital world. This backpacking trip was the first time in a while I didn't feel that way; I was part of a team and, in a broader sense, part of a global effort to keep the outdoors preserved and accessible for future generations to enjoy. I look forward to my continued involvement with this program and hope that it grows so that others may go outdoors and find the sense of belonging that I have.

During my time backpacking the biggest thing I discovered is that it’s really easy to keep myself alive. Going back to the basics was simple and everything else is just extra. School and work are privileges I get to have since keeping yourself alive in this modern world has become as easy as water from a tap or turning on a stove. I have these commodities and they give me the opportunity to challenge myself by seeking higher education and work. As much as I enjoyed just having to take care of my basic needs while on the trip, we formed our own kind of community. Everyone checking in on each other and making sure that we will be okay to hike the next however many miles. I don’t know if any life changing connections were formed on this trip but that’s okay because we still cared for our fellow man and that was so nice to see. I also learned that the world is not going to fall apart if I go a weekend without checking my phone. I never had that exact sentiment but some part of me believed that it was necessary to have my phone on and ready to receive messages at any point. I didn’t realize how much I appreciated not having to worry about texts or social media until we got service again. It was overwhelming checking my email and the majority of my emails were just spam not even sent from a person. At some point we traded real human interaction for a watered down human interaction through a screen. I know these aren’t revolutionary ideas but just ones that I was reminded of after the trip.

I know I have done something truly physically demanding when I can inhale four times the regular portion size I usually eat in a meal. So when I devoured half a pizza, something I have never done before, at the end of our backpacking trip, that was a monumental sign that my body did something it wasn’t used to. Regardless of it pushing me beyond anything I had done in the past, if given the chance to do it again, I would in a heartbeat. If anything, I will probably be planning my own personal backpacking trip in the future with friends because of how fulfilling it was. Beyond learning about the basics of backpacking such as setting up a tent, starting a fire, filtering water I learned things about myself that redirected my mindset on my capabilities. There were many moments throughout our strenuous hike where if I had been alone, I would have turned around and told myself it wasn’t possible for me to go on. Yet, being in a group of people dedicated to achieving the same goal gave me the courage and the push I needed to continue. As I pushed on for many hours with my heavy backpack, the heat, and aching limbs, all I could really think about was “What else am I capable of?”. What have I stopped myself from beginning because I didn’t want to push through the physical and mental pain that came with achieving the goal? Prior to backpacking I would never believe I was capable of doing something such as running a 5K, but now I truly think I can do something like that if I push myself. Along with this newfound mindset, I have beautiful memories I can look back on. My favorite memories include reading during the thunderstorm and feeling the wholesome togetherness of our group. I truly enjoyed singing along with [---] and [---] to push through the tough parts of the hike, sitting with the group during meal times and exchanging stories, and feeling as if we all had each other's backs all throughout the trip. Thank you for this opportunity!

The prolonged winter was in no hurry to give way to spring. The sudden warming up of May brought a couple of weeks of warmth. Doubts remained, and many questions swarmed in my head. Is it possible to hike on damp ground? How will we sleep, where will we sit? Will our backpacking be disrupted due to rain? We left the minivan in the light rain, fully equipped. The rain jackets we were given identified us as a single group. Six students and three instructors moved, single file, carefully into the depths of the National Forest. There is always one of the instructors at the end of the line. In the very first minutes the air became heated and the city lungs of each of us began to choke. Accustomed to the polluted air, we suddenly felt a little dizzy. I wanted to take off my rain jackets and backpack, which tried to crush me. The first sound was heard, “Tina!” The whole path resembled a chain of beads of different colors. None of the beads were like the other. At first these were wide roads that became narrower and narrower. The asphalt had long been replaced by fine gravel, which turned into large stones. Then the mud began, swallowing up the new boots we had just bought. The look of the shoes became sad and, frankly speaking, scary. Then the road went into giant bushes that mercilessly whipped my face. Watch out! Just two nights were able to show the full range of possibilities of the forest. The first night was in an open field covered with a thick carpet of grass. A wild wind suddenly blew in, causing our orange tents to dance wildly. The whistle of the wind did not allow me to relax and fall asleep, although after 5 miles I was ready to sleep standing up like a horse. The second night was among densely standing trees. The ground underfoot was springy, and the crowns of the trees reached into the sky. The light of my flashlight hospitably invited all the insects. The silence around was deafening; the beating of a heart could be heard from the neighboring tent. Sometimes we met other hiking fanatics. They walked in a small or large group, with or without dogs, in the same direction as us or towards us. Once we even crossed paths with a girl runner who came running and ran away from us. Where she ran from and where to remained a mystery to me. I nicknamed her Forrest Gump. Forrest in the forest. Off trail! We climbed up, the backpack pulled down and we became closer to the ground. We went down, watched the world from above, and soared above the ground like birds. Rivers gave way to hills, and the stuffiness gave way to a refreshing wind. Immersed in the road, we could sometimes miss the beauty around us. And someone always managed to scream, look how beautiful it is! The end of the journey consisted of laughter and tears. We recalled frequent stops for the rest room, and attempts to filter water in hopelessly dirty puddles. Murph found 50 dollars in the depths of the forest and gave us a pizza party. After endless bars and tuna, this was the most delicious pizza of my life. The turquoise ribbon on my arm reminds me of 3 days of inner peace. My head has gradually cleared itself of excessive fussiness and now other questions are swarming in it. Will I learn how to light a fire like Kristina? Will I hear “Spruce and Luna, check in!” again? When will I say “Tina!” again?

Our backpacking trip to Dolly Sods, WV, was truly the experience of a lifetime. I found myself living in the moment and taking every step of the day with intention, even down to the minuscule tasks that I often take for granted in my normal life, like drinking water or adjusting my movements/walking pattern to better cater to my body when the trail became difficult. I have always wanted to participate in backpacking and thought to myself, “one day,” but this experience helped me turn that dream into a reality. I did not know how to get started in the beginning and definitely did not have the extra capital for gear. None of my family and friends had experience with this activity or were interested in trying it out. All of these compounding factors made me doubt that I would ever be able to cross this dream off of my bucket list. After my trip to Dolly Sods, I can confidently say I have the skills to not just survive but thrive on backpacking trips. I learned so many valuable skills like how to filter water, pitch a tent, cook nourishing food on a trail, and how to keep my body warm at night in the wilderness, to name a few. I feel immense pride in myself for completing the weekend and making it through even when my mind and body were exhausted. The most impactful part of the trip was collaborating with the people (and canines) in our amazing group. The relationships that I formed with others are the biggest blessing that I will take away from my experience. The professors that came with us created an amazing environment that aided us in engaging learning with the right amount of space to make our own mistakes and decisions, and ultimately grow from them. Professor Indigo, Murph, and Laura truly were the light in the dark for our group of students, ensuring we stayed healthy and happy during this feat. The dogs, Luna and Spruce, were a joy to have around as furry guardians who made sure we were safe every second of the day and even carried extra water for everyone. Every one of the students on the trip was kind and generous. We helped each other no matter how tired we were and shared many laughs and deep conversations that helped us to temporarily forget about the difficulties we were facing while hiking. Having this type of safe space in a sort of exclusive environment is unbelievably vital. Having this little group of ours with people from all different places and walks of life shows me that there are others like me who may not have had the privilege to participate in such an enriching experience for one reason or another. It is imperative that these people have the opportunity to participate, and I think that this experience changed me particularly for the better. I have a different and more fortified sense of confidence in myself. Often it is hard to remember your strength and worth in a world and society that do not generally acknowledge those who are different. I have an immeasurable sense of gratitude for this experience I was granted. The only thing that I wish for is that others like me can experience this too.

When I first heard of the outdoors project, I was at my job, overwhelmed with the stresses and pressures that come with college, employment and living in general. I was checking my school email when I saw the message announcing the backpacking trip. I quickly skimmed the email and signed up without a second thought. The opportunity to immerse myself in a new experience sounded like something I would greatly regret missing out on. The spring semester came to an end and in its wake was left the open sky, beaming sun, and spare time. I was incredibly excited to be outside and disconnected from the world. On the morning of the trip I felt a calmness that only comes with ignorance. I did not know what the next three days would look like. I felt prepared from all the meetings, but seeing and hearing are no substitutes for experiencing. Once we arrived at the rocky parking lot at Dolly Sods I instinctively checked my phone, which I promptly noticed had already lost signal. Despite its uselessness and inability to perform its most basic functions, I stuck my phone in my waist strap for easy access. I found this ironic and humorous. Once we began on the trail I was amazed at the vastness of Dolly Sods. The sky was overwhelmingly large and blue. I felt a similar intimidation and admiration for the sky that I feel for the ocean, large and vast expanses of space that as humans we cannot fully comprehend. The only structures with the ability to rival the scale of the sky were the rolling green valleys that expanded and stretched along the horizon. As we continued onto the trail I noticed the pink geometric flowers that adorned the bushes along our path. As we continued, I thought about the sounds I heard, People making small talk with the peers they just met, hiking boots breaking sticks, Dogs sprinting through brambles, backpack straps being adjusted, and the heavy breathing of a group of inexperienced people pushing themselves in order to experience something new. When we stopped across the valley to set up camp, I was truly nervous for the first time. I had not thought about setting up the tent and was nervous about doing it wrong. Once I finally got my tent up and secured I decided the location was too much of an incline and I immediately took it down and moved it slightly. I felt good, I had my place to sleep tonight. The first night was defined by the rain storm. The rain began gently and innocently. As the clouds shyly and slowly creeped into the sky, I got out my small camp burner. Before I knew it, the rain began to come down strong and fast. It was cold and wet and unbeknownst to me, water was getting into my tent. Stubborn to finish cooking our lentils we laughed at the situation we were in. Just yesterday I was making and serving espresso at a cafe and today I was laughing and joking as I struggled to maintain a fire as rain fell relentlessly. When we finally cut our losses and ran back to our tents with our half cooked lentils, I was met with a half wet tent. Fortunately my sleeping pad was dry. At this moment I laughed at my predicament and thought about what my course of action would be. I took off my mainly dry sweatshirt and used it to mop up the water in order to maintain the tent dry. I was quite satisfied with how I was able to dry my tent. I crawled into my sleeping bag and watched the endless stream of rain drops speed down my rain fly. I made no move for my phone nor book for the rest of the storm. As the rain finished its dramatic showing, I realized how cold I was. The excitement and adrenaline from running back to the tent had worn off and I wondered how I had been laying in my sleeping bag without a shirt. I put on my clothes and poked my head out. The smell of wet grass and damp earth hit me immediately. The sun was setting and the sky was clear. The quality of light was cool and coming directly from the horizon, creating dramatic shadows with the trees and tents. I put on my wet boots and stepped outside and was met by some fellow students who had the same idea. We silently acknowledged each other as we admired the falling sun. I went back into my tent and slept like I was dead to the world, my only thoughts being of what tomorrow would bring.

During this backpack trip, I learned the crucial importance of listening and following directions, as well as the value of self-reflection and emotional processing. These experiences not only enhanced my backpacking skills but also contributed significantly to my personal growth. At times, I found myself prioritizing my own thoughts over the instructions given, leading to significant consequences. For instance, not packing my bag correctly due to ignoring specific guidelines resulted in discomfort and the need to readjust my backpack for a proper fit repeatedly. This experience underscored how vital it is to heed advice, especially from those more experienced, to ensure a smoother and more enjoyable journey. Furthermore, the trip provided an invaluable opportunity to sit with my thoughts and work through my emotions. Being in nature, away from the usual distractions, allowed me to reflect deeply on my feelings and reactions. This introspection was sometimes challenging but ultimately rewarding. I learned to confront and process my emotions rather than avoiding them, leading to a better understanding of myself and my inner workings. Overall, this backpacking adventure facilitated significant personal growth. By taking the time to focus on self-improvement, I developed a greater sense of self-awareness and resilience. The lessons learned from listening to instructions and engaging in self-reflection have not only enhanced my backpacking skills but also positively impacted my daily life, fostering a more mindful and intentional approach to various challenges.

When I was leaving high school figuring out the next steps for after graduation, I was not very excited about coming to a community college. I wanted a college experience where I would have the opportunity to engage in activities that push me to grow as a person. However, thanks to NVCCs professors and faculty members I have been able to have formative experiences that have made me into the person I am today. And this backpacking trip is definitely one of those formative experiences! I tend to have the default belief that I will fail at whatever I try to do. While I have gotten a lot better at not letting that belief stop me, this backpacking trip took me a step further. Over the three-day trip I accumulated countless examples where I started off certain that I couldn’t succeed, and not only did I not let my negative self-talk stop me I would am walking away with so much proof that I succeeded! Proof that I will carry with me and use it to remind myself that I am a very capable person. Another part of this backpacking trip that will stick with me is the relationships I build with my fellow students. I am a very introverted person and with the way that NOVA is set up it can be very easy to withdraw into a routine of not talking to or getting to know any of my classmates. While on the trail I had the honor of being able to look out for people and have them look out for me as well. There are so many examples of this for instance my buddy was amazing in that she would constantly check on me and make sure that I was okay. However, a small example that comes to mind for me is when Indigo asked me to take everyone’s pizza orders. While to some this might seem like a quick two second task to me it was so much more. I had gotten close to some of my fellow hikers and had good relationships with everyone, but the idea of having to “bother” everyone and ask them questions while their entire attention was on me sounded nightmarish. On a regular day I would have probably come up with some excuse for why I couldn’t do it. But on that day I didn’t. And as silly as it might sound to someone else, I was proud of myself for taking the lead and facilitating the decisions of which pizzas we should get. And that among a million other things I did that weekend have been added to my life resume of accomplishments. This trip also allowed me to try a new form of exercise that was previously unattainable for me. I have always loved the outdoors, but my family didn’t grow up going hiking or camping. So, I had no idea where to start, there are so many boundaries to a three-day backpacking trip for someone who’s never been. I had no idea what shoes, clothes, food, tent of any of the other various things to buy. And if I had known it would have cost me thousands of dollars to get it all for myself. On top of that I don’t know anyone who I could go backpacking with. Which brings up issues of safety, if I had just done this trip alone, I would have no one to help me if I got hurt. Through this trip I have been able to try out backpacking and find out that it is something I like and would like to continue doing. Also, as a human being growing up in the21st century I have some body image issues. And while I have still a long way to go, going on this trip made me appreciate what my body can do. Finally, I know that activities like this cost a lot for NVCC, but it is activities like this that make NOVA, NOVA! I implore any administrators or anyone who has any say over funding to fund activities like this. And on top of that please, please, please support the faculty members that make this possible. Yes, NOVA has the first lady as a professor and I am sure that she is great, but I can confidently say I would take one Indigo, Murph, or Jeff over 100 Dr. Jill Bidens. Because faculty members like them go above and beyond to make life changing experiences possible for their students. They are the heart and soul of the college, and I cannot communicate how impactful and caring they are.

Indigo's trip is not what you expect, and that is the beauty of the journey. It will be uncomfortable if you have never been outdoors, but you will find peace in nature. Three days is all it took to light a flame of curiosity about the wild. This is not a spa, nor will you find comfort, but you will gain experience and grow as a person. Remember, this trip is not meant to break you but to build your interest in something different. It is more than just a trip; it is a way to connect with yourself, that voice inside your head that is usually drowned by the noise of city life. The outdoors is not for everyone, but you never know if it is for you if you don't try, and who knows, you may be a natural. Be happy and good luck.

The Spring 2024 semester has been busy for me with all the extra classes I am taking and I feel like I have never done any outdoor activities in my life, and this is going to be my last summer as a teenager without a core nature memory. It has been quite a challenge for me as an international student here to schedule a hiking trip without a driver license. I am glad that I have signed up for this backpacking trip since, Murphy, Professor Indigo and all the girls on the trip have made this trip a core memory that I will always cherish through my life. We had our first day training at the Woodbridge campus and thanks to Professor Indigo help, I could receive a carpool from the Alexandria campus. The training was such a fun day since we practiced on water filtering and sample-cooking on the campus. I met our trip group and we all really got along with each other. It is so hard to make friends for me in the college, so I was so excited. We all were from different majors and different experience with the hiking. I have zero experience with both hiking and backpacking since I am not a very active person with exercising. I was nervous before the day of the trip questioning myself if I could do it. Professor Indigo’s message truly helps me get through with my fear and went on the trip. Me and some people met Murphy at Annadale campus in the morning of the trip and car-pooled to the Woodbridge campus where there is a van. I am so glad that Professor Indigo helped me with the necessary hiking shoes and backpack fitting. She was an angel to everyone, helping as best as she could. When we arrive to the Dolly Sods Wilderness, I was struggling since from the first trail since it was a rocky start. I am glad that I had my trip partner [---] helped me through the trail. We all hike for 4 hours on the first day to reach our first camping-site. The view was spectacular, and the air was fresh and crispy. I feel so good to be away from my phone, the city and being in the nature with these good people. Professor Indigo had the technique to call “Tina” if we had to take a rest to alert other people, that technique was helpful in communicating with other people on the trail. I was happy and relieved to reach our first campsite. My whole body was aching, but I was proud of my resilience to get through on the first day which was the hardest for me. On the second day, we woke up and had our breakfast. We get ready for our second day of the trip which we had to walk 7 miles. We all gathered and stretched our body. I feel like we all got closer after the first day since we were all getting comfortable with each other. It was quite a muddy road on our second trip, but we all helped each other and guided the way. Kristina was such a good trail leader; she was fast and efficient. Professor Indigo helped us made sure we all had enough water on the trip, she even shared her water and electrolytes with everyone. My feet were starting to hurt after 6 miles because of the shoe. Murphy was helpful and guided me with patience. I think I got through that time because of Murphy’s help. We were all talking and laughing while hiking. Everyone had different stories to share, and it was funny and interesting. We made it to our last campsite and rest. It was the best moment of my life just to sit and be free from the shoes. We all had macaroni chess as our dinner and Kristina helped us with the campfire. It was warm and beautiful; we all had the goodnight sleep that day. It is the final day of our trip to return home. It was an easy trip although it is the 8miles hike back home since we all are getting used to it. We all laugh and guided with care; we made it to the van so fast. Lauren was very nice, she helped me with my water bottle and backpack fitting. Everyone was so glad to see the van, we all took a group photo and got ready to go back. Professor Indigo bought us pizza on our way back and it was so delicious. We all tied the matching bracelet and gave our wishes to each other. We were all laughing and talking on our car-ride back home. It was such a good memory. We made it back to the campus at night and said goodbye to each other. This trip was a good experience for me as I gained friendship and trust within myself. I was proud of myself to finish the trip without any hardship with the help of everyone. I hope this backpacking trip will become one of Nova’s official activity events in the future that most of the students can participate.

The backpacking trip was a whirlwind of adventure and self-discovery. As I reflect on the experiences gained from this trip and the one I took with Professor Indigo last summer, I am amazed by how much I have learned. From learning how to pace myself when I am leading to how to support my fellow Backpackers on the trail. For me backpacking fosters connections—with fellow backpackers, with nature, and with myself. During these journeys, I’ve met strangers who became friends through our shared love for exploring nature. I carry with me not just memories of beautiful landscapes and physical challenges overcome, but also a profound appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit to keep going even when I felt like I couldn’t. Backpacking always humbles me, reminding me of my place in a world much larger and older than all my worries combined. I am truly thankful to Professor Indigo for initiating the outdoors project and introducing me, and others, to the world of backpacking.

Let me start by thanking the people who made this camping trip possible for me to participate. I loved the whole process of our camping trip because Professor Indigo made it so. This was my first-time camping, and it was beautiful to be there, everybody was helpful in my group. This trip made me learn and realize a lot about life in general, for example, I was able to connect more with the people in my surroundings, I had no phone connection, hence, I was not connecting to check what was happening in my social media. I loved filtering the water I drank because it made me appreciate the water, I have home and food I eat every day. Furthermore, even though we did not know each other before the trip, at the trail we created a sense of belonging, empathy, and support among us. We engaged in talk about culture, family, value, and religion which was interesting to learn about how we each live our life. This trip also brought out another character that I have within me which was self-discipline, and cooperation, which I needed to continue my journey on the trail. Professor Indigo did well in helping us to have a sense of safety and tranquility. Look forward to many possibilities in camping, and anyway I can help others try as well. May this charitable work continue for years to come, may God reward our Professor in this activity that she organizes.

On the trail, there was an atmosphere of empathy, trust, and support among our group. Professor Indigo, our trip leaders, and other women alike made me feel like I had a sense of belonging that I thought I had lost for some time. Being in nature allowed me to find peace within myself, realizing how important it is to enjoy the simple things in life. This project is important because it taught me self-discipline. I needed to rely on myself and prove that I could keep moving (even if the hill became steeper). It teaches planning and self-reliance. It also teaches goal setting because I would have never imagined completing a 22-mile hike over a weekend! It gave me an amazing feeling of accomplishment. I hope this program reaches more students at NOVA who want to feel the same. As an Alumna at NOVA, I can confidently say that I can see the trailhead I started from, and realize that even though it’s a great big world, I can get just about anywhere if I keep going forward, and don’t give up.

These trips were significant for me as a woman who had never been backpacking before and as a person who had been going through some tough times personally and academically. Being out in the wild, carrying everything I needed on my back, was an experience like no other. The stress and worries of my everyday life seemed to vanish as soon as we set foot on the trail. It was like a weight lifted off my shoulders, and I found a level of peace and stress relief that I didn't know was possible. Nature has an incredible way of grounding you and making you feel like you're exactly where you're supposed to be, which was a feeling I hadn’t felt in a while. The real magic, however, happened because of the other women+ students who came on the trip with me. We were initially strangers coming from all walks of life, with different stories and backgrounds, yet the bonds we created in the wilderness happened in an instant and will last a lifetime.

Professor Eriksen created an environment of trust and support that allowed us to rely on each other, communicate openly, and lift each other up when the going got tough. There were instances when I took a misstep, needed a break, or thought I couldn’t make it up a hill and felt as though I would drag everyone else down. I, however, was only met with overwhelming reassurance, motivation, and patience. The moments that stood out to me on these backpacking trips were when we had our morning circles. Professor Indigo, the other amazing trip leaders, and we students would form a circle in the mornings, warm up for the trail, check in with each other, and express our thoughts and feelings. I remember tearing up listening to the others talk and also while I talked myself. The stress relief, the friends I made, the inspiring conversations I had, the beautiful nature I walked through, the sense of belonging I found within myself, and the peace I felt after are just the tip of the iceberg of the impact these backpacking trips have had on me.