On Aug. 28, students had the opportunity to spend a night under the stars on the Center for Physical Activity’s Adventure Course. Attendees learned valuable skills like how to set up a tent and have fun by playing games and roasting marshmallows.

Campers, Makenna Harrell, Ignacio Vazquez, Anna Schulze, Chaney Phillips, Benji Cathey, Cristy Martinez, Andjelka Franus, and Finn Shirley, posing for a picture after building their own tents with Outdoor Adventure Staff members, Madison Weathers and Jonathan Crosby. (Photograph by Nyah Bass/East Tennessean)

“The purpose of this event specifically is to offer students a chance to experience camping in a more familiar environment with access to some facilities,” said Eric Payne, assistant director of Outdoor Adventure. “We want them to have a positive outdoor experience and meet new people and hopefully be encouraged to spend more time outside.”

Thomas Hammontree, the graduate assistant of Outdoor Adventure, said that the event was catered toward freshman and transfer students in order to get them more involved with campus recreation.

“We tossed some ideas around and one came up of having a campout near their dorms, something that’s not too far away from where they stay, something that will get them out and meeting new people,” Hammontree said.

Due to COVID-19, many students are coming to campus for the first time. This event helped students who may have not visited the area before moving here learn more about the surrounding nature. It was also a great way for students to celebrate the first week of classes with games and making new friends.

“I thought it would be a great way to start exploring the nature here in Johnson City,” said freshman Finn Shirley.

Students and staff were asked about how comfortable they felt surviving off campus after this event.

“Definitely not,” Makenna Harol said.

“Oh, I would definitely survive,” Nacho said. “I’ve got years of experience out in the field. I went to the park, I played on the jungle gym.”

“I think what [students] are doing is they’re getting a lot of good introductory skills, so maybe not Cherokee National Forest yet, but they’re off to a great start,” Hammontree said.

Outdoor Adventure holds more events throughout the semester such as paddling, biking and hiking trips. Information can be found on the Campus Recreation website etsu.edu/students/campusrec/oa/default.php.

  • Outdoor Adventure Staff members, Thomas Hammontree, Madison Weathers, and Jonathan Crosby setting up the fire for the night. (Photograph by Nyah Bass/East Tennessean)
  • Campers playing various games on the Basler Challenge Course field, including “Red Light, Green Light”, “Scream Run”, and “Sharks and Minnows”. (Photograph by Nyah Bass/East Tennessean)

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