Over the weekend, we took a group of college student to High Point State Park located in the North West corner of New Jersey for the Outdoor Living Skills class we deliver for Baptist Bible College (PA). Our time on the trail was a time of instruction and experience providing the opportunity not only to learn skills in a new environment (set up a tent, using a stove, etc.) but also to introduce the students to another classroom that can be used in their respective fields of study.

After a drive of about an hour and a half, we found the unmarked trail head for the Appalachian Trail. The hike Friday evening into our first shelter required headlamps and flashlights. This made it more difficult for some and more enjoyable for others. We made it in time to eat dinner and still enjoy time together before hitting our tents for the night.

Saturday morning we woke to the noise of rain and the mist of clouds that had

descended on the area. After a hearty breakfast of oatmeal, we hiked about 7 miles to the next shelter under constant rain. While the weather was less than perfect, the group was delightful to hike with and we enjoyed achieving the highest point in NJ (1,803 feet). We finally arrived at our next shelter, already occupied by a Boy Scout troop. The boys provided some frustration, but much more entertainment as we cooked and ate dinner in the continuing rain. Some games and a lot of laughter preceded a much-welcomed long night’s sleep.

We awoke Sunday to a clear sky and a bright sun that was already drying out the grass and the dirt around us. Our hike out of the park and off the AT was a good one, a bit more tedious then expected due to the high volume of water running down the mountain streams. At least water access was readily available. The day moved at a good pace and we returned to campus unharmed.

The trip as a whole was a success. The students will apply their experience to post-trip assignments designed to integrate their learning from the trip into their respective fields of study. The goal is that in every context the students begin to think of opportunities to use the outdoors (or any environment) as a classroom for learning and growth.