Immersion 2009

The Immersion Semester I have yet to be able to put into words. I can tell you the basics, but the actual events that happen are still developing in my mind. Essentially this was an 80 day back country wilderness training, through CSU CHICO. 12 students, 4 instructors, and lots of desert! We had a winter section where we telemark skied, lived in qhuinzees and avalanche trained. There was the Rock climbing section where we set up top rope sites, lead climbed, did multi pitch routes in the house range. Then we were in South Eastern Utah in the four corners desert canoyneering and backpacking as well as explored ruins. Then the last section was on the San Juan River canoeing and rafting on white water, all the while getting 16 units! The only way I could put this trip into words was to use other peoples, so naturally I filmed the entire trip and then made a nice little video for us all to share with our friends and family so they can have a small glimpse into our lives for three months being the privileged homeless.

Video Immersion 2009

More Photos

Here are also a few of my favorite pictures take from the semester

I also wrote a letter to the president at CSU Chico about what the Outdoor Ed Program gave me...

Dear President Zingg,

As I’m driving down Highway 50, the moon is full and reflecting a
brilliant shade of blue off of the snowy mountains. It reminds me of a
2-degree night on the winter section of Immersion. At that moment I am
grateful for being in a car, but also nostalgic of the winter and the
mountain. I miss the companionship of my cook group, the taste
of hot chocolate with malt balls, and the warm smiles from
the faces of people who I hold so dearly to my heart.  My eyes begin to
water and I can taste the salt of a tear as it hits my warm lips. I
begin to think of how my life was before the Outdoor Education
Department came into my life.

      I like to think of myself once as an obedient and semi trained Border
Collie; lots of energy, very smart, and exceeding my trainers
abilities. My parents had raised me by teaching me the skills I would need
for success, however they themselves couldn’t offer me the best
training. The Outdoor Education Department found me, assessed the
skills I had, and trained me to an even finer perfection. It harnessed
what I knew and brought me to a higher caliber, a place my parents and I
always knew I could get to, but didn’t have the abilities to get me there.

      My first Outdoor Education class was a beginning Rock
Climbing class with Mike Dent. I had never met a teacher that showed
me unconditional respect and passion for what he was teaching. When
the class was over, I knew I needed more. After reading my “what I want
paper” (describing what I wanted from the class), Mike had me meet Dr.
Reid Cross to enlist me into the Outdoor Education Certificate
program. I had no idea what that meant, and how much it would change
my life.

      I was then enrolled in the Kine 226;Methods of Teaching Wilderness
Living. As I sat in Dr. Reid Cross’ class I thought to myself, “I
don’t want to teach this stuff, I’m just trying to go on a backpacking
trip.” Little did I know how insanely wrong I was. After spending an
enchanting 10 days in Utah’s desert, I knew I would never be able to
get enough. I began teacher assisting in any and every class I could
get my hands on. Then I signed up to take Kine 227, Winter and the
Mountain. Dr. Cross was shocked I was going, but extremely supportive
and excited. The feeling of having so much support and respect from a
man like Dr. Cross is a powerful feeling. With him teaching me I knew
I could do anything. I’ve always been told by parents and teachers,
“you can do anything you put your mind to,” however, I never truly
felt that way, until I was taught under Dr. Cross and the other
Outdoor Education Department professors. To comprehend that one has
the ability to literally do anything, is frightening and intoxicating.

      When I heard about the Immersion Semester offered, I knew it was
perfect for me. An entire semester taught in the backcountry. Learning
extremely technical skills as well as perfecting interpersonal skills
and self-exploration. When I was accepted I was beyond ecstatic. My
parents, scared and unsure, were happy for me and did their best to
understand the unconventional schooling I’d be getting. They
saw the light in my eyes whenever outdoor activities were talked
about, and they knew saying no was not an option. After all they are
the ones who told me I “could do anything I put my mind to.”

To say this semester was hard, is an under statement. To say it was challenging, wouldn’t do the course justice. Every day I was pushed to be better, everyday I made decisions that would directly affect my environment and myself. I learned the meaning of honesty, respect, integrity, compassion and strength. I understood endurance, and putting the greater good ahead of you.

Now I am a California State University Chico graduate and I feel so
honored to say I got my certificate in Outdoor Education. I am sad I
missed out on the opportunity to major in it however; the education I
got was best suited for me. I am currently working for REI’s Outdoor
School as an instructor, teaching sea kayaking, beginning rock climbing
and many cycling courses.

The Outdoor Education Department made me a stronger member of society.
It changed my life and made me a better person. I never really knew
what I wanted to do when I grew up, and I never knew what kind of
person I wanted to be. Completing the Outdoor Education certificate
gave my life meaning. It gave me direction and a passion I now am so
fortunate to share with others. I love where my life is, and I love
where I am going. I owe all my professional and personal successes to
the Outdoor Education department. Without it, I probably wouldn’t know
what kind of person I wanted to be. Now, after the program, I can
analyze myself and identify that I am a compassionate, strong,
efficient, integral, and fun person that others can trust their
lives with.

      My life has been truly blessed by this program, and I will do
anything and everything in my power to help it remain a program at
Chico State. I feel the program and people in it are so important, and
I hope that other students also get to experience education through
the Outdoor Education Department for generations to come. This is a
program that is well known and respected; to lose it would be an
irrevocable loss that breaks my heart to imagine.

Many Thanks,

Silvana Hidalgo

c/o 2009