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Growing up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, my parents made a point to get me outside to explore from an early age. We took afternoon trips to city parks and summer road trips to the North Shore. I took any excuse to run around outside. My love for outdoor recreation has stayed with me as I’ve grown up and moved away from my hometown. When applying to colleges, I was drawn to Whitman by their Outdoor Program (OP)—and it did not disappoint!

I immediately got involved in the OP in the fall of my first year at Whitman by signing up for a class called River Guide Leadership (RGL). My Midwestern mind had conjured up images of myself blissfully paddling down a flat-water river in an aluminum canoe. Needless to say, I was a little surprised when I learned that I was going to be spending my semester learning how to whitewater raft! I spent nine days learning the art of paddling and rowing down the Lower Salmon and Snake rivers with a group of incredible peers and instructors. Along with having the opportunity to learn completely new skills, I also formed some of my closest friendships while on the river. I was hooked!

The following semester, I applied to work as a Trip Leader for the OP, leading not only rafting trips but also more tranquil canoe and hiking adventures. I love being outside and I have found it to be infinitely more rewarding to help others do the same.

One of the biggest barriers I was anticipating was the cost. Gear, connections and experience can be expensive when you add it all up. Thankfully, Whitman provides students with these opportunities to try new things and go to new places without breaking the bank. Every year, each student gets $150 to spend on OP trips through the Bob Carson Outdoor Fund. I have also applied for the Leadership Education Advancement Fund (LEAF), which has significantly reduced the cost for training courses like RGL.

These courses and funds allowed me to train to become a Whitman Outdoor Orientation Trips (WOOT) leader. For the past two years, I have guided first-year students down a section of the Deschutes River during October Break. We camp the night before, share meals, hang out and then spend the whole next day floating down the river! I have watched so many of my peers go from never once trying an activity to becoming passionate about opening up the outdoors for others, like I did!

The OP at Whitman has been an incredible opportunity to get outside, explore and do activities that you might not have done otherwise. Through leading and participating in these trips, I have met some of my best friends and created some of my most treasured memories from my time at Whitman. I know you can experience it too when you come to Whitman.

Hana Rottach ’27 is an Anthropology-Environmental Studies combined major from Minneapolis. The Outdoor Program has allowed Hana meet countless other Whitties who enjoy exploring the outdoors. Many of whom have become close friends.