A lifelong nature enthusiast, senior Eric Young has been leading outdoor adventure trips for five years and spent this summer as a trip leader for campus-run tours that are open to all University of South Carolina students.
Young credits a childhood gift with getting him started on the rivers that flow through and around his native Columbia and ultimately why he chose to major in environmental science.
“I got my first kayak and never looked back,” he says. “I love everything about our rivers and so environmental science is the perfect fit for me to continue my love for the outdoors into my future career.”
Applying his classroom knowledge to his outdoor adventures has also led to a deeper appreciation of natural life. In a science class about pollution, Young learned about the factors that impact the environment and how urban runoff affects local waters like the Congaree River.
“Being outdoors allows me to see what I'm learning in all these biology and environmental classes,” Young explains. “It allows me to see it from a different view.”
But adventure trips offer transformative natural experiences for all students — regardless of academic track. With three rivers and state and national parks just a stone’s throw from USC’s urban campus, Young can share his education with others.
“We live in a city, but then you can go to the river and its pristine nature,” Young says. “I just love giving people that opportunity and making them smile, giving them something that they don't normally get to experience.”
Guiding nature tours does have its challenges, too. Some adventurers are exploring the waters for the first time and might be nervous starting the trip. Young’s job is to make sure everyone feels safe, which teaches him a lot about problem-solving and perseverance.
“It’s rewarding to teach people these skills and to watch them get the hang of it,” Young says. “It makes me really happy to be a part of it.”
Students have a wide variety of adventure trips to choose from, such as paddle sports, whitewater rafting or hiking. Trip options include daylong or overnight excursions, and students can sign up solo or with a group of friends. The trips also are great for improving team-building and communication skills.
Although the trips are planned in detail, the best moments are the unexpected ones — the times when the group gets absorbed by the natural beauty around them.
“The trips aren’t like seeing pictures and videos,” Young says. “You're actually out there doing it and it allows people to make memories that will last in a lifetime.”
