The Outdoors Club took off on a 4-day hiking trip starting in South Carolina early this April with just the packs on their back! It was great for members to experience the warm weather while hiking. Members hiked a total of 30 miles during the four days on trail. Students and teachers hiked through the Nantahala National Forest of NC, the Ellicott Rock Wilderness of NC/SC, and Sumter National Forest of SC. Some students even made it all the way to Georgia, (Chattahoochee National Forest of GA) if they choose to ride the river rapids.

This trip was unlike any other trip before. The club had not been back to this trail in a decade. The trail had multiple polar plunge stops along the way that students could stop at to cool off. Some students even considered this the best part of the trip. Mirella DiGiulio (’25) said her personal favorite part of the trip was the beach campsite on the second night. Students were able to camp under the stars on the beach with just their sleeping bags and pads.

Additionally, for the first time in Outdoors Club history, a mysterious animal struck camp. Every night students are tasked with hanging their food up in a tree– out of reach from bears. This is called “bear bagging”. One group of students woke up Saturday morning to find their food bags slashed in half with food scattered all across the ground. It was true, a bear had finally reached the food. Luckily, students did not let this ruin their trip, instead this experience brought the club together. Students shared food to make sure everyone was set for the next 3 days of the trip.

         For the class of 2024, this was their last outdoors trip. The experience was bittersweet. Seniors made the most of their trip and will look back on the trip as a great end to senior year. Every night students participated in “Rose Bud, Thorn”, a tradition where students reflect on their day. “Rose” represents the best part of one’s day; students would often recall meaningful conversations they had with other members they wouldn’t have had anywhere else. “Thorn” represents a challenge students faced during the day. Some students would say the wind or injuries, and some would say they had none! “Bud” represents something you’re looking forward to. Students would say hiking the next day or even just hanging out near the campfire for the rest of the night. On the last night in particular, many seniors shared that this was the best trip they had been on yet!

Overall, the Spring Outdoors trip was a great way for students to disconnect from devices and experience all North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia have to offer. Looking back on this experience, students recall the time they spent connecting with people they wouldn’t have in the classroom, hanging out by the fire, and the beautiful views they saw from the mountains.