Club promotes spending time outdoors to improve physical, spiritual health

Marshall University's Outdoor Adventure Club recruited students for trips this semester, citing the advantages of spending time in the wilderness for physical and mental health.

"It's good for your heart and entire body," said Shay Woods, senior parks and recreation major from Huntington. "It's also good for you on a spiritual level. People have the idea that they and nature are separate entities, but they aren't."

Woods said being at Marshall provides a great opportunity to enjoy nature.

"Anybody who lives or goes to school in this state is extremely fortunate in that we have some world attractions within a few hours drive, and the New River Gorge is a perfect example," Woods said.

Woods said those not taking advantage of the nearby wilderness is missing out on a chance to improve their moods.

"I can tell you as a parks and recreation major there have been tons of studies showing that people need to get out and decompress," Woods said. "It reduces stress levels and releases endorphins, which will put you in a better mood."

Woods said the trips planned for this semester provide time for students to simply enjoy themselves.

"Going into nature can be as exciting or as extreme as going somewhere and riding roller coasters all day," Woods said.

The club plans trips with differing levels of excitement or relaxation, said Sharafina Azman, sophomore economics and Spanish major from Martinsburg, W.Va.

"We do things from whitewater rafting and spelunking to skiing or snowboarding and camping," Azman said.

Woods said the trips are planned to give students options to spend time how they want.

"A perfect example is our whitewater rafting trip," Woods said. "Someone could come, relax and camp just to chill with us and then, the next day, take a leisure hike while we're trying not to drown."

The main trip this semester is a hiking trip to the Smoky Mountains for spring break, Azman said.

"We're doing a 72-mile hike," Azman said. "We have about five people signed up and are always looking for more. The more the better."

Azman said joining the club requires no experience and is a way to learn about the different activities.

"We actually have a lot of people who have never done some of these things before," Azman said. "We help them along and learn from each other."

Erin Shaver can be contacted at shaver29@marshall.edu.