The Division of Student Affairs at West Virginia University has organized a six-day canoe trip over spring break in the Florida Everglades for student military veterans.

The trip is fully funded through grants from Outward Bound and the Boeing Corporation and is free to participants. There are spots for 17 student veterans.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our student veterans to take a break from their studies, build camaraderie with other veterans and go on an adventure”, said Dr. Ian Kellems, Assistant Director of the WELLWVU Carruth Center for Psychological and Psychiatric Services.

“We are excited to see such interest in the trip from the veteran’s community at WVU,” said Nathan Harlan, Adventure WV veterans coordinator. “This trip is one of several opportunities for veterans to participate in adventure programming at WVU.

On the trip, students will learn canoe skills, outdoor living skills and how to navigate through swamp environments.

“These trips are very do-it-yourself, which I think really appeals to our veterans,” Kellems said. “By the end of the six days, the veterans will be running the show, which gives them a real sense of accomplishment.”

This is the third spring break veterans trip that has been organized by WELLWVU and Adventure WV. Previous trips went canoeing through the Mobile-Tensaw Delta in Alabama and sailing in the Florida Keys.

“Adventure WV gives WVU students the opportunity to participate in whitewater paddling, skiing and a veteran’s specific Adventure WV orientation trip. In many cases this programming is free or low cost thanks to grants and support from WVU,” Harlan said.

For more information, visit:
http://orientationtrips.wvu.edu/adventure_veterans.

-WVU-

ta/02/24/12

CONTACTS:
Dr. Ian Kellems, WELLWVU
304-293-4788, Ian.Kellems@mail.wvu.edu

Nathan Harlan, Adventure WV
304-293-9605, Nathan.Harlan@mail.wvu.edu

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