Winter Wonderland in WV

Arriving and setting up camp in the dark (and 24-degree temps).

Would you want only a couple pieces of thin nylon, some polyster stuffing, and a layer of clothing separating you from a dark, snowy 24-degree night? Well, six students from Waynesburg University did two weekends ago in West Virginia! Honestly, I wasn't so excited about it. Going into the trip I was exhausted from the fall's work, fighting sickness, and only wanted to be in my own warm bed. But I'm so glad I ran the trip because great things came out of it.

Waking up to a winter wonderland.

First, Emily Dooley who had participated in LDW this past summer, organized the trip for the Waynesburg Outdoor Experience club. She saw a need in the group to experience wilderness living and the community that comes from such an experience. She also wanted the students to encounter God in a closer and new way like she had this past summer in the wilderness. Although it was her first time planning and leading a trip, I walked her through the steps, and she did a great job! She now not only knows how much work it takes to pull off a trip, but is equipped to design and implement trips in the future for the outdoor club or other groups.

The Emilys

Ready to start hiking. Notice the orange. It was hunting season.

Secondly, Brandon, another LDW student, co-led the trip with Emily to finish his WEA Outdoor Leader Certificate. He also did a great job, and demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that enabled me to certify him. It was great seeing the skills & knowledge Emily & Brandon had gained on LDW put to work with other students.

Brandon & Emily Dooley discuss plans for the day.

Finally, the participants on the trip were wonderful. Each of them jumped into the experience, even in the midst of new, harsh conditions. While some people may think we were crazy for being out there, we discovered together that it was a privilege. A privilege to experience the beauty of a fresh snowfall, a privilege to know we have warm homes to return to, a privilege to step away from the normal routine of life, and a privilege to listen to God's voice through Scripture, prayer, silence, creation and the people around us.

The group at Table Rock overlook.

Kayak-a-thon video!

Check out this sweet video of the Kayak-a-thon! Thanks to Joy for putting it together.

From Crackle: Kayak-a-thon 07

A Successful Kayak-a-thon

A different perspective of Pittsburgh's skyline

"Right arm forward and pull. Left arm forward and pull. Right arm, left arm. Use the abs and torso rotation. Oh, the boat is veering right, better correct that." On Saturday that was what our brains and bodies thought about for one hour after another, after another, after another, after another... for 10 hours! In those ten hours the group I paddled with managed to go 28 miles. Not a bad day's work, I say.

The 28-mile Kayak-a-thon path marked in yellow

Overall, the day was a great success. A total of 23 paddlers showed up to paddle and raise money for either the CCO's Outdoor Leadership Team or their own ministry with the CCO. I had three friends from the Pittsburgh area that joined me for the paddling as well as helped raise money for the event. Below you'll see us on the Allegheny River.

Kaitlin, Travis, Emily, Matt

Thanks for all your prayers and good wishes. We were all safe and had beautiful weather. Chilly in the morning, but a clear, autumn sky and perfect temperatures in the afternoon. If you participated in another way by coming to encourage us at lunch or sponsoring a paddler, thank you! My group of four raised over $1500, so every little bit added up!

Enjoy the slideshow! Click on the Picasa logo in the corner of the slideshow if you want to look at the images more closely.

7th Annual Kayak-a-thon Is Saturday!

Emily during last year's Kayak-a-thon

Only two days from now I, along with other CCO staff, students, and friends, will be attempting to paddle 30 miles in one day on the three rivers that flow by Pittsburgh! (And, no, those 30 miles are not all down river.) You're probably saying yourself, "I figured Emily was crazy, but this proves it! Why is she doing this?" Well, I can't disagree the crazy part, but I'm doing it for a good reason! I am paddling to raise money for the Outdoor Leadership Team of CCO so that ministry to college students in wilderness contexts can continue.

Paddlers starting out during sunrise (Kayak-a-thon 06)

I am getting very excited about the Kayak-a-thon on Saturday! It looks like we'll have beautiful fall weather, and this year three friends from Pittsburgh are joining me in this quest. Please pray for minimal to no winds, safety while we paddle, and last minute sponsors for the paddlers. There will be a total of 19 of us! And stay posted next week for photos from the event!