What if there were an outdoor- adventure organization that capitalized on the resources, know-how and enthusiasm of a college campus to present flat-out fun for students and the surrounding community?

There is, at California State University, Sacramento. It's called ASI Peak Adventures, and its mission is to ease new students and local enthusiasts into the outdoor 101 challenges of hiking, climbing, skiing, cycling, rafting, paddling and other guided programs that take the "rough" out of "roughing it" for beginners.

"People want to go backpacking with someone who knows all the technical stuff," says Jael Young, Peak Adventures' director. "It's good to get a foundation first so you can eventually go out on your own."

After all, that's what Young did when she was an undergraduate at Sacramento State. Of approximately 150 Peak Adventure trips she has been on, Young still cites her first backpacking outing, in the Ventana Wilderness near Big Sur 18 years ago, as her favorite.

What inspired her? "It was sitting around a campfire at night, sharing a common experience with complete strangers," says Young, now 39. "It's a sense of 'We're all in this together.' "

Not to mention the exhilaration of jumping off a waterfall into the pristine water below to rinse off the dust and sweat from hiking all day, which Young also remembers.

"I had no idea how beautiful it was in our own backyard," says Young, who started as a participant with the program, moved up the staff ladder, then became director nine years ago. "I was hooked."

Diverse programs and services

Peak Adventures evolved from a bicycle cooperative in the 1970s to a full-fledged outdoor adventures organization in 1989. Now operated by Associated Students Inc., or ASI, the program provides recreational and educational opportunities for students and the general public through guided outdoor trips, ropes-course programs, clinics, youth camps and classes. More than 1,000 students and community members participate yearly.

In addition to housing a full-service bike and outdoor-gear rental shop on campus, Peak Adventures hosts around 80 trips a year to places such as Point Reyes, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Yosemite National Park and the Grand Canyon. Excursions include backpacking, whitewater rafting, snowshoeing, mountain biking, paintball, surfing, caving and sky-diving. The staff even leads "specialty trips," such as wine tours in Napa Valley.

"Anything that takes advantage of nearby resources," Young says. "Most commercial outfits have to specialize, but we strive to offer a sampler of outdoor adventures."

And with the commencement of Sac State's fall semester just Tuesday, Peak Adventures offers a slew of diverse itineraries, including backpacking and camping with day hikes in Yosemite Valley, Angel Island biking, whitewater rafting on the American River and spelunking in Moaning Caverns.

Prices vary depending on whether participant qualifies for a student discount. One example: a two- to four-day backpacking trip can cost $98 to $280. Private group trips are also available.

And although the campus organization has come a long way since its birth, it hasn't lost sight of its roots. Students and community members can purchase bicycles from Peak's shop in the University Union as well as take basic and advanced bike-maintenance classes for $52 to $180.

The Challenge Center

While staff members drop names like REI Adventure Travel and UC Davis' Outdoor Adventures as local competitors, they point to unique features, too, such as Peak Adventures' Challenge Center, complete with a full ropes course. Commonly used for team-building exercises, the ropes course serves individuals as well as community and corporate groups with training meant to increase communication skills and better problem-solving techniques. Last week, Silverado Middle School, Families First and Sutter Health all used the Challenge Center.

"It's all about achieving an objective while taking care of limitations," said Brad Pointer, 30, operations manager. When speaking of the ropes course/ team building, he said: "You have to ask 'How is this a picture for something that happens in real life?' "

The Peak Adventures family

Pointer, who is in charge of training new staff members (Peak Adventures employs more than 50 people full time and part time), helps with the ropes course and often leads outdoor trips. Some clients become "regulars."

"Some students will get excited about jumping in on trips back to back," he says. "They'll come on a biking trip, then hear that I'll be going caving, and they'll do that, too."

As Young did in the beginning, several of the current student employees at Peak Adventures became involved by either going on a trip themselves or attending a free three-day training session during which they learned about course facilitation, youth camps and outdoor trips.

Andrea Seeba, who is in the teaching program at Sacramento State, worked as a youth camp staffer over the summer for one of the three camps offered: Green and Gold Camp for ages 9-12. Though Green and Gold focuses on smaller nature walks, crafts and games, the junior high and high school summer camps feature whitewater rafting, overnight camping and more.

"The kids get to be active, but not in a traditional way," said Seeba, 24. "Not all parents can take their kids camping or rafting, because they don't have the experience. That's where Peak steps in."

Seeba also mentioned the importance of critical thinking in the camps. Leaders teach three rules to the campers: Take care of yourself, take care of each other and take care of this place.

Similarly, staff members strive to uphold what Young calls "CIRCLE" values – Communication, Integrity, Respect, Compassion, Leadership, Engagement – as they paddle through various Peak Adventure activities.

"It tends to be more than a job, but also a community," Pointer said.

Expansion ahead

The program may grow even more when the new Recreation and Wellness Center opens Oct. 1, 2010 Among other things, the building will house Peak Adventures, the health center, basketball and racquetball courts, an indoor track and new gym equipment. There are plans for Peak Adventures to manage a new indoor climbing wall and freestanding boulder, where "bouldering" can be taught.

"It's going to be groundbreaking," Young says. "Climbing and bouldering are two totally different things, so it would be great to offer both."

Addicted to the outdoors

The variety of adventures never seems to wear thin and there are enough to present new challenges. "Sometimes people are intimidated," Pointer said. "People grow up sheltered from the outdoors, but that makes it all the more important to have people riding a bike and rock-climbing for the first time: To get away from the demands of day to day life and get a chance to breathe and connect with their souls."

And even though Young finds less time to spend as a Peak Adventure participant, she still is able to enjoy the alpenglow at sunset during staff retreats twice a year.

"My role has changed, but my fundamental passion for the outdoors remains the same," she says. "I've become a long-hauler."

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