“Growth Through Adventure” in bold letters on a pamphlet is more than just a slogan for the camp Outdoor Odyssey. A week-long camp with complex character building and insightful philosophies has impacted many peoples lives all over the world in countless ways. Throughout the week mentor and campers group are pushed out of their comfort zones, learn about each other and the philosophies, and support each other through the activities.
Since the camp was founded in 1998, many Greater Latrobe students have participated in the camp as mentors and campers and each and every one of them has a different perspective and experience. Senior, Brylee Bodnar says, “I always say the best version of myself is me when I’m at Outdoor Odyssey. You can say it’s the mountain air but Outdoor Odyssey has helped me reflect on who I want to be and the dream I want to accomplish. It has allowed me to meet all kinds of genuine, supportive, and lifelong friends I happily call my family.” Another senior, Maria Thunberg said, “Outdoor Odyssey has helped me learn skills to become a better leader. It has also taught me to work alongside people better. In addition, being on the mountain has taught me lots of important life lessons and how to apply them to my everyday life.” These personal testimonies show how valuable Outdoor Odyssey’s membership is and you will carry the benefits for the rest of your life.
At camp, a mentor will not be found singing campfire songs or making friendship bracelets. The adversity they share with each other while backpacking in the rain and conquering mental and physical obstacles, grows an immense bond between the mentors during their training week. When the mentor comes back for their second week with their campers, they are well equipped with skills to help their campers through the fears they have during the activities like zip lining, rock climbing, hiking, and much more.
Philosophies are a huge part of Outdoor Odyssey. Every night the campers and mentors break off into small groups and collect firewood for a big philosophy talk. Everyone gathers around the campfire and the camp counselors apply a camp philosophy to an everyday life lesson. One of the philosophies that the camper and mentor works on throughout the week is called the “The Iceberg Theory.” The background of the theory is based on what happened to the TiTanic. The captain tried pushing through an iceberg he only saw 20 percent of, when there was a whole 80 percent he didn’t even see. The camp relates this to someone’s personalIty. When you meet someone you only see 20 percent of their personality as a whole, but after talking to them and getting to know them you can get to know the 80 percent you don’t see.
At the end of the week, mentors and campers have created such an amazing bond getting to know each other’s 80 percent. This bond is not only for just a week, but for the rest of their youth. Between checking in, seeing how school is going, going to get ice cream, and much more, your relationship with your camper gets stronger and stronger. You learn just as much from your camper as they learn from you. It is truly amazing what you can learn from a kid in just one week. Being surrounded by the campers can remind you to find the joy in simple things, and laugh a little more, or to take everyday as a new adventure and learning opportunity. They see you as a leader and someone they can trust, and it is so important not to let them down.
Outdoor Odyssey is looking for positive role models in high school interested in mentoring elementary age students throughout a school year to help them become the best version of themselves. If you want to read more about the camp or are interested in volunteering next summer, keep a look out for the summer applications to open in the link below!
