Cecelia Reyes, of Fresno, had never gone camping or even traveled outside of California. So when she went to Zion National Park as part of a Fresno State recreation administration course, it was more than just an educational trip. It was a way for her to conquer her fears and gain new life skills in the process.
That is just one goal of the “Recreation Administration 146: Adventure-based Programming” course, which prepares students with the skills and knowledge needed for careers in outdoor recreation. The semester-long course concluded with a trip to Zion, which is considered one of the most scenic and adventurous national parks in the U.S., famed for its high plateaus, amazing views and sweeping canyons.
On an early fall morning, while stars still lit up the night sky, Reyes and her 10 classmates began their adventure three states away in Utah. They were among the first group of College of Health and Human Services students to use the college’s new van for transportation, with professor, Dr. Jason Whiting behind the wheel. The 12-seater van, proudly inscribed with the Bulldogs insignia and Fresno State’s signature red and blue colors, was purchased in 2021 after a generous gift from Chevron.
Students, staff and faculty are encouraged to use the van for travel to conferences, internships, volunteer events and experiential learning opportunities, as well as internships and research purposes that will enhance their educational endeavors. The goal is to provide students with additional hands-on learning experiences that will better prepare them for careers in the health and human services fields.
Reyes and her classmates arrived at Zion nearly 10 hours later to stunning views, but dark skies as it was already nightfall. They set up camp, ready for the adventure to come the next day. That first night, temperatures dropped to a chilly 30 degrees – a climate Reyes was not used to.
“Dr. Whiting taught us to expect the unexpected,” Reyes said as she reflected on that first night. “In order to get out of our comfort zone, we needed to learn to adapt to our environment.”
Whiting added that conquering fears and the unknown is all part of the concept of the course, which is just one part of the learning process.
The next morning, the group headed out on their first outing, Emerald Pools. A series of trails along this majestic park led to sparkling waterfalls and pools throughout. Later that day, some of the students traversed the popular Angels Landing, known for its steep paths, some which require holding onto chains along the cliffside. For many of those students, it was their first experience hiking a trail of that height and magnitude.
Each evening concluded with campside fires by their tents, which gave the group an opportunity to get to know each other deeper. Reyes said the ability to connect and collaborate with her classmates was among the best parts of the trip.
“Aside from class, we did not really know each other,” Reyes said of her classmates. “So that’s why making connections on this trip was so important for me. By socializing with my classmates, we got to know each other better which didn’t make us feel so alone being so far from home.”
Recreation Administration lecturer Ryan Soares said building connections is the most beneficial tool that experiential learning opportunities like this provides. Along with Whiting, Soares teaches various outdoor courses (such as rock climbing, backpacking in the Sierra and the Yosemite experience to name a few). His students regularly utilize the van to travel to their outdoor destinations. Most recently, his class used the van for a rock climbing excursion in Wishon Reservoir at the famous Dr. Seuss Wall, nearly two hours from Fresno State.
For many students, impactful learning opportunities are found beyond the walls of a classroom or campus setting. With help from Day of Giving donations designated to the College of Health and Human Services Experiential Opportunities Learning Fund on March 26, students will be provided with travel and admission resources to access experiential learning through internships, conferences, events and field trips.
“I can tell you from firsthand experience, traveling together has made the courses more accessible and made for a better and more connected experience,” Soares said. “Typically, in the old days, students would have to figure out how to get to locations on their own, which added a layer of stress and uncertainty to an already outside-your-comfort-zone experience. Now, they can take that component out of their worries and focus on the experience itself. Students bond over the car ride and show up at the locations feeling a sense of community even before the experience begins.”
“The van ride becomes a part of the experience, not just a ride to the location. They share backgrounds, play games, empathize over upcoming midterms, swap music favorites and occasionally sleep on each other’s shoulder after a long day outside. It’s changed the experiences hands down.”
Fresno State’s annual 24-hour, online Day of Giving will be Wednesday, March 26. The College of Health and Human Services relies on private financial support, such as funds raised from the Day of Giving, to support experiential learning activities for students. For questions about how to support health and human services students, contact Jeff Rickels at rickelsjeff@mail.fresnostate.edu or 559.278.3136.
