"So....you want to be a professional pack mule?" were the words of mumsy when I told her that I wanted to study Outdoor Leadership in college.  Being able to major in Outdoor Leadership was a new concept to my sixteen year-old self, and I didn't have a crisp idea of what it would entail.  For all I knew there could have been validity behind mumsy's scarcastic statement.  All that mattered in my mind was that the Outdoor Leadership path would allow me to explore incredible places.... all in a day's work, of course.

It certainly wasn't chance how I ended up at FRC and in their ORL (Outdoor Recreation Leadership) program, God definitely had planned for me to be there long before I even heard of Quincy.  During my high school years I spent my summers working at Silver City, a rustic resort in Mineral King.  One slow morning at work I was chatting with a guest who just happened to be from Quincy.  During our conversation, I mentioned my desire to pursue a degree in outdoor leadership.  She introduced me to FRC, and highly encourage me to look into it.  A few phone calls later I was sold. 

I came to FRC in the fall of '09 bringing very few hard skills to the table.  I was just an enthusiastic hiker and backpacker with a willing spirit to learn.  Most people probably said, "Poor Cara, she's not very good....but she has heart!"  It was true though.  I hesitate to even admit this, but I originally thought kayakers rolled their boats in order to go under obstructions (logs, bridges, etc.) in the river.  I smile whenever I think back instances like that, because it reminds me of how much I grew this past school year.


My original plan was to get my ORL associates degree in one year and then transfer on.  Well, I got my degree, yet here I am again in this cozy little town.   In one year I was just barely able to scratch the surface of what Plumas County has to offer, which made me reluctant to leave.  Naturally, I was only slightly disappointed when I found out that I would have to come back to take a few more classes before I could transfer.

Last year I was always on the receiving end of learning, but this year I want to make an effort to practice the "leadership" role in "outdoor leadership."  So far I am living up  to that goal; just in this month I'm guiding the Principles backpacking trip,  teaching outdoor ed. to 6th graders, plus organizing personal trips.  We'll see what else crops up!