Outdoor Adventures

Outdoor Adventures (OA) serves the USD community with opportunities to experience outdoor activities that aim to promote personal growth, leadership development, relationship building and environmental responsibility. We offer a variety of local, regional and international outings that includes Pre-Orientation Adventure, overnight trips, outdoor recreation classes and day trips around San Diego. We also operate a rental shop and resource center for individuals that choose to venture on their own excursions and need some equipment or guidance.

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Repost from @copleyatusd using @RepostRegramApp - If you want to educate yourself, but don’t know where to start, we’ve compiled a list of relevant e-books currently available in our collection. These titles are available to all USD students, faculty, and staff. Swipe for details. #torerostogether #blm #allyship #librariansofinstagram #universityofsandiego @usd_asg @usdfirstgen @usdsssnation @uofsandiego
We stand in solidarity with our students and USD community members who are speaking out against the racism that is systematically entrenched in this country. We stand with our students against the injustices that have occurred far too often for persons of color when their lives are not valued. The benefits received by spending time in nature and recreating on public lands are inextricably linked with the displacement, theft, murder and systematic exclusion of BIPOC. We must do better and we cannot be silent. Images 3 & 4 were created by @greengirlleah and recommend you give her a follow.
Nina is OA’s electric bike ridin’, horse lovin’, paddlin’, Free Ride Friday adventurin’ all star. You may have seen Nina casually cruising up Linda Vista, or you know, just being the change she wants to see in the world. As a Micah Fellow, Nina lives out those core values: “Do justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly.” That’s Nina in a nutshell. She has shown up for Pre-O every year because of its service element and supports her peers in the same way- through service. Whether it's walking down into the Grand Canyon (and back up!), exploring Utah or paddling up the Colorado River, she leads through example. Nina stands up for what she believes in, is empathetic, compassionate, and brings her independent strength to the table. We’re proud to be at the table with you Nina! Good luck in Equine Therapy!🐴
Brooke came to OA with ‘bad@ss’ already on her resume. OA did not teach this to Brooke, she taught this to us. Brooke arrived at USD with a vision for herself, the confidence to get there, and the drive to make it happen. Most inspiring about Brooke is that she presents an unapologetic version of herself to others. This means that we can always count on Brooke to share her thoughts, stand in solidarity with the marginalized, and take on difficult leadership roles. She has maximum volume in such a small body- which makes her a terrible whisperer- we blame this on her Long Island roots. But this also makes her an incredible teacher as she is often comepeting with the sound of the ocean. She has just the right amount of weird that makes people want to gather around her, but not so much that she can’t land her dream job. Brooke thrives off of hard work and has unwavering loyalty to the things that matter to her. We’re lucky to be counted in that circle Brooke. We’ll always have your back Brooke, because we know you’ll always have ours.
Katie can be described as “nervous but excited” in just about anything she does. And what is so cool about Katie is even though she is nervous, she always does the thing anyways. So thank goodness she showed up to her first Pre-O trip in the Channel Islands, because her excitement was contagious- Katie was ALL IN. Katie has forever changed the landscape of OA, starting with Marks palate for Gado Gado. Even though Katie was abroad for an entire year, she managed to stay in community with fellow guides, because her stamp was in just about every document, every Pre-O plan, every training lesson, and every game we played. The sight of Katie back in the office made people feel at ease and like they were back with family. Katies proudest moment was when she realized that she could display confidence and provide effective leadership even when she wasn’t quite sure of herself. And that's the exact thing that makes Katie such a valuable part of OA- she does the thing anyways, and everyone around her gets to grow and learn from her. We believe in you Katie- we’re not even nervous, we’re just excited for all that you accomplish next.
It could be said that everything Darlene learned at OA she learned on that hike up to Montanon Ridge. Never have we ever seen a participant so gracefully transition into full on guide. Darlene showed us that Relationship Masters can carry heavy packs and climb mountains too. She showed us that even while travelling uphill herself, she can be a one woman mental health peer advisor. She taught herself and us that self-care should be Page 1 of the guidebook. She is the OA Artist-in-Residence. She understands that memories are made in the middle, in the kitchen, during difficult and tired times, and in the least glamorous places like the OA office. And even though she sometimes doubted that she would “get to the top” we knew she had it in her to go all the way. Darlene has poured her heart into OA, into being authentic, and into every guide that has come after her. You’re our kind of weird Darlene. We love you!
Easton arrived at the OA office in a suit and tie, hesitant to exchange his calculator for a daypack. He quickly became OA’s Chief Financial Officer and Director of Late Fees. Once we convinced him to go on NGT, but his excitement for backpacking was shortlived. Easton instead harnessed his talent for photography and sold his first commissions to the OA office, becoming OA’s first official photographer. We appreciate that Easton is a self taught man, watching (and making) youtube videos into the night in order to learn to fix random gear. Even on his very last OA trip, Easton overcame *very* rational fears of quick sand and noodles. His commitment to making OA better is unparalled. We appreciate you Easton!
When we think about OA, we can’t remember a time when Caroline wasn’t there. She’s everywhere at OA- in the pantry, climbing shelves, paddling somehwere remote, carrying a pack as heavy as she is, cleaning, winning Slackjaw. Caroline didn’t make the transition to OA as easily as her “Guide of the Year” status might suggest. It wasn’t because she had noodles for arms, but she just didn’t have the confidence early on to see the importance of her contributions to the group. After many, many adventures with OA to places like Zion, the Sierra Nevada, the bottom of the Grand Canyon, Black Canyon, and Channel Islands, Caroline learned to take care of others and to still take care of herself, to share her voice, and to harness her power as a servant leader. We’re so glad she went on that one Easter Break trip to Zion that inspired her to come intern at OA. And even though we can’t make you any less carsick or seasick, we will always stand in your corner Caroline, cause you would do the same for us.
Bryan has shown up to every training and trip that OA has ever offered, but it's his passion and humor that can’t be replicated or taught. There’s no technical training for “Bryan Facts.” Bryan is complex- while he sets the most welcoming tone he can also fall asleep as soon as anyone starts teaching. Bryan is a gamer, with the logical mind of an engineer yet he has made it his mission to master the art of the open ended question. He has learned to make superior backcountry yeast risen bread but questionable whipped cream. Bryan has perfected falling out of canoe’s on purpose and rises to the occasion to teach others what he’s learned. We’re so grateful for how you make us laugh and the joy you bring to our team. Thanks for being our unpaid intern, asking all the questions, and making OA feel like family.
We met Cici on Channel Islands Honors Pre-O and and it just seemed like a natural fit for both of us. Cici would easily find the balance of scholastic achievement and time in nature with OA- it’s in her DNA. With her natural calm aura she is able to take on tasks not many can do: Cici once carried a 100 liter pack 10 miles into Havasu (Cici is the size of a daypack). Cici did finally realize her dream of leading an exploratory trip to Utah, after several trips into the Sierra for practice. While those first moments as a WAFA were challenging ones, perhaps it helped to cement her career choice in medicine. Cici is not that selective about big spooning or Five Finger Games which is probably what makes her such a natural outdoor educator and friend to all. Good luck Cici!