Campus Recreation Starts Adventure Outreach Program with the Pine Ridge Reservation
By Ray Aberle
In April students in the President's Leadership Program, Year Two, traveled to Pine Ridge, South Dakota to begin an ongoing project with the SuAnne Big Crow Boy's and Girl's club. The Pine Ridge Adventure Project is an outreach effort of Colorado State University Campus Recreation. Over the next several years Campus Recreation, with support from the SLCE office, is working to construct a complete Challenge Ropes Course and outdoor equipment check-out center.
The April trip included construction of four challenge course elements and the planting of nearly 100 trees. In addition to the construction work, students were able to participate in several cultural events, a family visit, and extensive time discussing and analyzing Lakota leadership styles. Several Colorado State University Challenge Course staff traveled to Pine Ridge in mid-May to complete an initial training of local staff at the center in outdoor adventure pursuits. In an effort to equip the outdoor equipment center, Campus Recreation is looking for gently used tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, and sleeping pads. Additionally, several grants for the completion of a high ropes course have been submitted.
President's Leadership Program student Tyler Will says, "Through both working on the challenge course and by interacting with members of the Lakota community, I gained new perspectives on leadership from a variety of sources."
