Camping when you’re not granola
Courtesy/Henry Ley
In an effort to travel in my 20s, I decided to apply to be a hiking trip leader across the country with absolutely no experience in hiking. Given I’d be working with kids in this position, and I have previous experience working with youth, I figured I wouldn’t be the least experienced person there.
On my flight to Albany, New York, I was sitting next to someone else headed to Williamstown, Massachusetts, to be a hiking trip leader for Overland Summers, Gabby. Gabby was also from Athens, Georgia. Although she calmed my nerves about leaving my home state alone for the summer, she seemed to have tons of experience in the outdoors industry. Even though I learned quickly that we had extremely differing levels of experience, she was my first friend of the summer.
We eventually landed after chatting the whole flight. Only to be greeted by about 15 other strangers who seemed to be either: a.) in hiking boots, b.) wearing a Skida hat, a Vermont-based brand of hat that is the epitome of New England or c.) wearing a “Melly,” a hoodie only achievable by visiting Colorado and getting one yourself from the brand Melanzana. At the time, this only further solidified my feelings that I might not be cut out for this job like I thought I was.
When we arrived in Williamstown, I discovered our sleeping arrangements were a field of about 60+ tents. I quickly realized I may not have completely thought out the decision to take this position, but I decided I had no choice but to persevere since the only way out is through.
After a few overwhelming hours of meeting new friends, unpacking — if you can call placing my duffel bag in my tent unpacking — and texting my friends trying to figure out what I had just signed myself up for, I then met my co-leader and best friend for the summer, Haley. Haley was not only my rock for having to meal plan, set up camp, provide transportation and be emotional support for a lively group of kids each week, but so much more. There’s nothing I miss more than countless runs for Dunkin’ coffees, trips to the river and mountain summits with Haley.
Courtesy/Elyse Shaffer
During training, I discovered that I definitely had not packed what was necessary for my New England adventure: a backpack that isn’t way too huge for day hikes, a water bottle that isn’t metal and the size of my head and a jacket. I did not expect the temperature in Massachusetts to be so different from Georgia’s summer nights. I’d like to thank Haley for not quitting on the spot once she saw how unprepared I was.
Two weeks of training had passed, with a safety scissors haircut along the way, a four-day backpacking trip through the Massachusetts Appalachian Trail, a lesson on how to drive a 15-passenger van with a U-Haul attached and numerous other skills I never thought I’d need to learn; Haley and my first week leading came. Despite the anxiety, we were both incredibly excited.
It’s a very strange experience to be leading 10-year-olds on a camping trip when you haven’t been camping in over a decade, but we were blessed with the best group of kids. Somehow, I think I played off being “granola” to my campers even though my first week I could hardly set up a tent.
Were we woken up about 10 times total in one night at the start of this trip? Absolutely. However, those same kids also sang along to “Take Me Home, Country Roads” in the van with us over and over again and managed to hike seven miles in pouring rain with little complaint. Yes, it was a culture shock to be only eating foods that could be cooked on an outdoor stove, and I now can never eat stir fry again after how often it was made this summer. But week by week, some of our kids were introduced to meals they’d never had and ended up loving.
This summer was both the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life and the best summer I’ve ever had. I haven’t experienced childlike wonder like this in years. Who knew actually going outside had its perks? That being said, it is worth it to place yourself outside of your comfort zone, even if that is inside of a sleeping bag with no air conditioning.
When I was in high school, the thought of going on a hike genuinely pained me. After my first summer working a job primarily centered around the outdoors at Georgia 4-H at Camp Jekyll, I felt as if I was a completely different person. After taking a job as a hiking trip leader, a position where I’m outside and offline for the majority of my days, it is clear that it was worth it to be initially uncomfortable for the sake of the result — with a lot more friends and a lot more places visited.
Courtesy/Nathaniel Cooper
Get outside! Explore outside of your home. Go camping even when you’re not granola!
Strike Out,
Nathaniel Cooper
Editor: Maia Geraci
Athens