Outdoor Adventure offers students relaxation and enjoyment at their Meet Us There Paddle Day on Watauga Lake before finals.
“I think having these events near finals allows everyone to destress a bit,” said Nathan McDavid, a current intern for Outdoor Adventure. “Everyone who has been to college knows how stressful finals are. This event allows you to go out in nature and participate in leisure which always helps with destressing. It also allows you to be more involved with the ETSU community. That is a huge plus to first year college or transfer students.”
The event was held on April 30, lasting from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Watauga Lake, that is located east of Elizabethton, Tennessee. All of the gear was provided for the trip, including boats, paddles, and personal flotation devices. Around 30 participants attended the event and were offered paddling and loading instructions.
Participants were given a time and place to arrive at before the group left. They were monitored but given enough freedom to paddle as they pleased. With finals being the week after event, Outdoor Adventures saw this as an opportunity to offer students a stress relieving outlet.
“This trip is an event that is very enjoyable for anyone,” said McDavid. “You can meet us there without needing any equipment and go on the lake with your friends. You have a ton of freedom to go explore and get whatever you want out of the experience.”
Watauga Lake is nestled within the Appalachian Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest, offering views of the mountains and lush trees. It is a man-made reservoir that’s surface covers 10.5 square miles, touching the tip of the Appalachian Trail. The lake is only accessible by winding mountain roads.
For more information about future Outdoor Adventure events or news, visit https://www.etsu.edu/students/campusrec/oa/default.php.
