From Nov. 1 to 2, the Kentucky Outdoor Institute (KOI) will be holding a two night canoe trip through Mammoth Cave National Park. The trip will take place on the Green River near the park and be led by several of the FIELD semester students, who have been training and traveling across the country for the majority of the semester.
KOI is a non-profit organization associated with the Adventure Leadership major here at Asbury. The concept of the program is to get students to have hands-on experience.
“I like how it supports students in exploring the outdoors and learning about nature around us. The impact of the group is not just within the corresponding major, but reflects all across campus,” sophomore Bailey Soard said.
It also educates groups on the technical and ethical practices of experiencing the outdoors. The KOI website states, “The adventure education technique uses an experiential learning approach — indoors or outdoors — that puts individuals and groups into situations with uncertain outcomes that allow them to struggle with problems, engage creative solutions and use trial and error.” The organization puts a great deal of emphasis on growing while engaging with nature.
There are a wide variety of events offered by the institute, including rock climbing, canoeing and backpacking. These happen about two to three times a month, are open to all of Asbury’s campus and are a great opportunity for students to try out new things. The trip is another way for students to take a moment to relax after doing midterms and enjoy the great outdoors.
