Outdoor Leadership Series
Our Outdoor Leadership Series offers University Scholars a variety of ways to develop their leadership skills, challenge themselves and gain confidence with the new and unknown. All trips offered through our Series feature small groups and are led by experienced guides. Group discussion and individual reflection play an important role in each experience. From hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains to kayaking the Outer Banks, from exploring the depths of Roberts Cave to hang gliding at Kitty Hawk, our students can participate in a wide range of trips that stretch their curiosity, communication, and courage. To see pictures from our recent trips, visit our Scholars Scrapbook page.

The events associated with the Outdoor Leadership Series are directed at the following three objectives:

• To give students a venue to explore their curiosity of the natural world
• To foster students' confidence with the uncomfortable and unfamiliar
• To cultivate students' understanding of themselves and their capacity for compassion in relating to others

Upcoming OLS Trips:

1) Sea Kayaking North Carolina's Core Banks
September 26 - September 28, 2008
Just south of Ocracoke Island and the Outer Banks of North Carolina are a remote chain of barrier islands called the Core Banks. As part of Cape Lookout National Seashore, there are no bridges to or developed roads on these islands. Because boats are the only way to access these islands, they are a wilderness setting in terms of vegetation, animal life and exposure to the elements. We will leave Friday, September 26th at 2:00pm promptly, drive to Harker's Island, load our gear into boats and depending on the weather, embark that evening. We will paddle most of the day on both Saturday and Sunday (which can be physically strenuous), and will return to NCSU by 11:00pm, September 28 th . We will cook our own meals and sleep in tents on beaches. Interested applicants should be willing to serve each other in all aspects of the trip, including preparation beforehand.
Cost: $75
Application Deadline: Monday, September 8 by 5:00pm
Click here for an application for the Sea Kayaking Trip.

2) Black Mountain Crest Fall Backpacking Trip
October 8 - October 12, 2008
We will leave promptly at 2:00pm Wednesday, October 8th and head to the Big Cane Creek trailhead near the beginning of the Black Mountains. The climate, vegetation and views of the Black Mountain Range are some of the most diverse and beautiful found in the Southern Appalachian Mountains (and the trip includes walking over Mt. Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi). The only way to access the vast majority of this region is by foot, and therefore we will backpack on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and return in the evening of Sunday the 12th. All meals will be included in the trip cost. Applicants should expect to help with many kinds of tasks to contribute to the overall success of the endeavor (i.e. preparing and cleaning up meals; gear upkeep, usage and storage), though no previous experience is necessary or preferred. Backpacking is inherently strenuous activity.
Cost: $20
Application Deadline: Monday, September 22 by 5:00pm
Click here for an application for the Black Mountain Crest Trip.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact Bengt at 513-0704 or bengt_carlson@ncsu.edu.