With Mr. Rushin’s retirement from the Chemistry department, an exciting new chapter has begun for Cary Academy’s wilderness community. The Wilderness Club first began years ago when a student proposed the idea of a hiking trip for Discovery Term. Mr. Rushin embraced this initiative, and since then, the club has taken off, with hundreds of students leading trips that explore the breath-taking trails across the country.

This year marks the introduction of the new elective: Wilderness Exploration and Leadership. Every wilderness leader is required to take this class weekly, where they gain essential backpacking skills such as adjusting backpacks, building fires, navigating Gaia, planning trips, and creating footcare and clothing care guides.

In the class, students work towards receiving certificates to prepare them for leading “mini teams,” which are student led groups responsible for trip preparation and support for their participants both on and off the trail. Izzy Bottorff (’27), a dedicated member and now leader since her freshman year, shares, “The club is heavily student led, with invaluable support from Mr. Rushin, Mme. Jones, and other chaperones. Wilderness has truly become an integral part of my schedule and life. I’ve met so many amazing people through the club and I genuinely look forward to every single trip, meeting, and class.”

Thanks to Mr. Rushin’s newfound availability, the club expanded its offerings last year to a spring trip, and this year to an additional fall trip. All wilderness leaders are required to attend a weekly meeting on Wednesday mornings at 8 a.m. These meetings focus on trip planning, creating mini-teams for on-trail support, and enhancing leader guides. The strong focus on student-led leadership and experiences, along with guidance from Mme. Jones and Mr. Rushin, has created a profound experience for everyone involved including the leaders, chaperones, and participants.

As the Wilderness Club continues to grow and evolve, it always remains a foundation for adventure at Cary Academy, where students can experience the outdoors, build long-lasting friendships, and essential leadership skills.