CBU students enjoy Big Bear Lake Mountains during Outdoor Adventures trip

Correction: A previous version of the story incorrectly identified that the trip was to Mammoth Lakes.

Riverside, Calif. (Sept 25, 2017)—Community Life at California Baptist University hosted its first Outdoor Adventures trip of the semester to San Bernardino Mountains on Sept. 22-24. Twenty-two students and two staff members backpacked part of the Pacific Crest Trail near Big Bear Lake, camped and enjoyed the outdoors as they formed new friendships along the way.

“These trips benefit students because we offer a way for them to connect with students with similar interests,” said Tucker Carl, program coordinator for outdoor adventures. “This allows us to create the opportunity for people to have a community with others while doing the activities they love.”

The Outdoor Adventures program provides opportunities for students to enjoy iconic destinations and national parks. Community Life furnishes, for a nominal fee, transportation, appropriate gear for the adventure and most of the food.

The camping trip was originally scheduled to take place in Mammoth Lakes. However, due to severe weather, the trip was changed to the Big Bear Lake area.

For Rochelle Fisher, an intercultural studies sophomore, backpacking made the trip special.

“I loved the community and the campfires,” Fisher said about the outdoor adventure. “The opportunity to build relationships with new people is one of the things I look forward to most on these trips. It's a great way to get connected within the larger campus community.”

Emily Anderson, an actuarial science junior, went on the “Glamping” adventure last spring. This fall semester, going on a backpacking adventure caught her interest.

“I had never backpacked before, and I loved it,” Anderson said. “It was also fun getting to experience the trip with new people. Already, a day after the trip, I have waved at new friends from this trip [on campus].”