Camping and Floating offers a weekend getaway for students feeling bogged down by finals.
Madison Bouse
Staff Writer
Camping and Floating offers a weekend getaway for students feeling bogged down by finals. In this hands-on course, students learn the basics of tent camping and tandem canoeing at Onondaga Cave State Park or Washington State
Park. It’s a quick way to earn a credit hour toward a degree while also making lasting memories and learning useful outdoors skills.
Instructor Colin Maag described the class as “A beginner’s class [that] focuses on safety, fundamentals, [and] physics of boat control and proper stroke technique. Even if someone already has some paddling experience under their belt, the class offers additional growth opportunities. Ultimately, the only thing that will make someone a better paddler is just to get out there and do it.”
In his post-college days, Maag received his certification as a white water instructor and these days his paddling has taken him across the globe – most recently to Borneo, Malaysia. Over the past thirteen years, he has guided many STLCC students through rain, shine and everything in between. Maag said he has truly enjoyed the opportunity to share his passion for the
outdoors with his students.
“Camping, canoeing and being in the outdoors has added meaning and a sense of awe to my life,” he said. “Hopefully, students will enjoy the class enough that they get out and go paddling on their own. And if I am really successful, it might even be a
lifelong pursuit.”
The class provides opportunities to learn camping and paddling skills for both seasoned campers and canoers and complete beginners. For anyone who falls into the latter category, Camping and Floating student Noah Safron had some encouraging advice.
“This was my first time doing anything like this…Just ask questions and don’t be embarrassed if you mess up. Laugh at your mistakes and learn how not to repeat them,” said Safron.
While the class only meets twice before the final overnight camping trip, students tend to bond quickly over shared experiences like maneuvering a canoe through a swift section of the Huzzah river, preparing a meal over a campfire, giving an impromptu presentation on the basics of camping safety, soaking in a sunny day in the Ozarks or even disassembling a tent in
a downpour.
“My favorite experience was just being able to sit and talk with the people in my group on the river and after dark. Caves and rivers are wonderful places to get to know someone,” said Safron. Maag teaches two to three classes of Camping and Floating in the spring, summer, and fall semesters. Students are encouraged to register early for this class, as it often fills quickly.
