Whether someone is looking to hike the Tetons or climb the boulders at Vedauwoo, Laramie comes equipped with all sorts of adventure needs.
According to Backpacker magazine, Laramie was ranked third in the top 20 colleges for hikers. The ranking was based off a point system in which Laramie scored a 4.3 average, the second placed ranking was Northland College and University of Alaska Fairbanks in first place. The article mentioned Laramie’s close proximity to places like Snow range, Vedauwoo or the North Platte River.
For all those adventure seekers out there, the university has given individuals another way to pursue during college. The outdoor program is hosting the Intermountain Student Outdoor Leadership Seminar (ISOLS).
“It is a student led conference that provides networking and professional development opportunities for other students in outdoor leadership positions at the university level,” Nichole Lumadue, Outdoor Program trip leader and ISOLS chair member, said.
Brian Wilkinson first started the seminar in 2003 and for the past three years it was hosted by Webber State University. This will be the first time that the seminar will be hosted in Laramie.
Dylan Hall, graduate assistant and employee for the Outdoor Program explained how UW is a unique school to host this seminar. He said he is hoping it will bring a new audience and will help bridge the gap and be a good middle point between Colorado and Utah.
The seminar consisting of the intermountain schools became a way for students to network and obtain learning opportunities.
“Because the conference is led by students, each year is unique,” Lumadue said. “The activities for this year range from educational seminars on mindfulness in the outdoors, to incorporating academics, to integrating skiing and climate change.”
There are going to be a variety of activities for students to attend, picking the ones that best fit their desires. These consist of educational sessions, technical components and individuals teaching skills outside. The outside teaching skills will be more catered to the type of outdoor life in Laramie. Some of these skill sets being taught are mountain biking and white water rafting.
Outside guests will include No Barriers in Fort Collins, The Pedal House in Laramie, Wyoming Game and Fish and the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). The keynote speaker is Davin A. Bagdonas, M.S. candidate in geology and geophysics.
“It is an honor to have the opportunity to share my experiences,” Bagdonas said. “I am hopeful that students will better understand the experiences and personal growth of an individual that has been provided by a lifetime in the outdoors and how that may relate to their own personal growth including leadership.”
Bagdonas is doing his GA on research to understand Tertiary Uranium deposits in Wyoming. He traveled across the U.S. climbing in various locations and taking in the geology sites as well.
“Although rock climbing has been my passion for many years, it has been served as an avenue to larger experiences and lessons learned,” Bagdonas said.
ISOLS is said to be for students, by students. This type of mentality helps keep the information and material different and engaging each year.
“The goal of ISOLS is to offer each student with multiple opportunities to share their outdoor experience with like-minded peers,” Lumadue said.
The Outdoor Program is excited to offer students this opportunity to engage in new skill sets. However, they offer a lot of opportunities to students and community members.
The Outdoor Program provides different clinic and services, free events and helps to improve the collegiate experience. The program also rents out equipment and helps with providing information regarding good hiking trails and places to go for certain activities. Most of all, the group loves the outdoors and is there for you if you have any questions.
Danny Golden, junior in business economics, was once a part of the Outdoor Leadership Program. He recently rented a backpack from the program and took a trip to Southern Utah during spring break where he ran into the Outdoor Program on a trip there as well.
“The weather is nice out, I am trying not to drive at all. I ride my bike everywhere and the farthest I have to go is downtown,” Golden said. “It gets me away from all the distractions and I get fresh air.”
The ISOLS seminar will be held March 30- April 2 and more information on the event can be found of WyoCal.
