Penn College News

Taking an Outside Chance, in Tents and Purposes

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

About 30 students took part in the inaugural Penn College Outdoor Weekend on Friday and Saturday, enjoying a camping trip amid the Schneebeli Earth Science Center's 400-plus acres of scenic surroundings. Organized by the Student Activities Office – and enhanced by hospitable weather and the playground that IS the School of Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies' living laboratory – the overnight experience allowed students to learn Survival 101 tips; practice their open-fire cooking skills with "mountain pies" and s'mores; prepare their own campsites; and much more.


– Photos by Tia G. La, student photographer




 

 

 Students learn how to read a topographical map, courtesy of Westley Shaffer, from Liberty Mountain in Montoursville.

Students learn how to read a topographical map, courtesy of Westley Shaffer, from Liberty Mountain in Montoursville.

Baking and pastry arts student Emma M. Mikulecky, of Williamsburg, adds an outdoorsy badge to her toolbox of life skills.

Baking and pastry arts student Emma M. Mikulecky, of Williamsburg, adds an outdoorsy badge to her toolbox of life skills.

Wide-open to adventure

Wide-open to adventure

Army veteran Keenan A. Bayus, a software development and information management major from Waterford, teaches campers the fundamentals of building a fire.

Army veteran Keenan A. Bayus, a software development and information management major from Waterford, teaches campers the fundamentals of building a fire.

A dotting of stars – Mother Nature's navigational tool – illuminates the sky, tucked away from the artificial light that often obstructs the view.

A dotting of stars – Mother Nature's navigational tool – illuminates the sky, tucked away from the artificial light that often obstructs the view.

Flames vanquish the fallish chill, warmly encouraging fireside chats.

Flames vanquish the fallish chill, warmly encouraging fireside chats.

Samuel J. Pham lounges in his above-ground accommodations under a leafy canopy at the ESC. An aviation maintenance technology major from Camp Hill, he also led a Friday night hike on the woodland campus's nature trails.

Samuel J. Pham lounges in his above-ground accommodations under a leafy canopy at the ESC. An aviation maintenance technology major from Camp Hill, he also led a Friday night hike on the woodland campus's nature trails.

A fun (and functional) souvenir will offer a reminder with every sip.

A fun (and functional) souvenir will offer a reminder with every sip.

Sal Vitko (left), assistant director of student activities for student organizations/orientation, facilitates a

Sal Vitko (left), assistant director of student activities for student organizations/orientation, facilitates a "challenge by choice" team-building activity.

The weekend included demonstrations by axe-swinging members of the Penn College Woodsmen's Team ...

The weekend included demonstrations by axe-swinging members of the Penn College Woodsmen's Team ...

... as well as award-winning Wildcat archers.

... as well as award-winning Wildcat archers.