Riley K - Ole Miss Outdoors Club

Instead of reporting a daily journal, I am going to give you glimpses of the people I have met along the way. Each has a story about the outdoors.

While hiking Monday, the first day, we met a group of students from University of Mississippi. In its own words Ole Miss Outdoors "emphasizes adventure, environmental awareness, challenge, education, personal development, safety, and fun with a variety of exciting outdoor activities and opportunities."

This group of 10 students was lead by Riley K, a senior who is studying in the Park Rec Management Program. We chatted initially during a break along the Trail. We reconnected at the Hawk Mt. Shelter that night but only to confirm that we would talk the next day. There was too much to do before dark as some of his group still had wet equipment from the rain storm the night before. Finally on Tuesday, as my foursome was finishing lunch and getting ready to head on out Riley showed up with his group. I stayed behind for the interview.

When not in school Riley is a raft guide. In his outdoor work he has seen how the outdoors affected people for the good. He immediately saw a double benefit..being outdoors and helping people.

As a leader he is trained in Wilderness First Responder(WFR)and and crisis management
He plans to continue as a guide and travel by way of working in adventure travel programs. In fact this summer, he will be able to use his guide work as his internship.

As he said, "What is more fun than the outdoors? I am paid to do what I love. I can help people learn new skills. And I get to share with them good times and the variety of the outdoors."

Good travels Riley in your future.