Waking up early on the beaches of Port Aransas, having Leo lead our throng in yoga on the sand. Allowing body and mind to be free while sketching and sitting around the campfire, all while watching the sunrise. Juxtapose this with the consistent stress and dread of college life, and experiences like this seem farfetched but hidden among an organization at Texas A&M, this life is a possibility. An organization created on the idea of escaping routine, the members aim to recognize the essential role of outdoor involvement in well-being. Aggie Outdoors offers college students an opportunity to reconnect with nature to absolve adverse mental health, find service through the outdoors, and deepen their connections with their peers and Mother Earth.

Engagement in outdoor activities plays a pivotal role in enhancing the mental health and well-being of college students. These experiences provide a much-needed respite from the stresses of academic life, offering mental clarity, improved focus, and a place to decompress. Physical activities in natural settings release endorphins and promote overall physical health, reducing the risk of mental health issues. Furthermore, nature stimulates creativity and problem-solving skills while fostering a deeper connection to oneself. The social aspect of outdoor involvement builds a sense of belonging and combats feelings of isolation. The challenges faced in the outdoors develop resilience and effective coping strategies. In essence, outdoor activities provide a holistic approach to nurturing the mental well-being of college students, offering an escape from the rigors of academia, self-discovery, social connections, and essential life skills. In essence, nature serves as a canvas for self-discovery and personal growth. Aggie Outdoors encourages individuals to look inward, embrace the unknown, appreciate the interconnectedness of life, and cultivate qualities such as resilience, mindfulness, and creativity. Whether through quiet contemplation in a forest, the challenge of a mountain hike, or the meditative rhythm of a flowing river, nature offers a powerful catalyst for personal development and a deeper understanding of oneself.

Limited access to natural spaces can profoundly affect college students' mental and physical health. Urban and campus environments can increase stress and anxiety due to their bustling nature. This lack of natural tranquility can make it challenging for students to cope with academic pressures. Additionally, restricted access to green areas can often lead to reduced physical activity, which opens the door to physical problems. A sedentary lifestyle can also exacerbate mental health problems when decreased exercise leads to less stress-reducing endorphins being released. These spaces also serve as social hubs, fostering socialization and connections among fellow students. The absence of exposure to the natural elements and outdoor challenges can hinder the development of resilience and effective coping skills. Recognizing the many ways in which limited access to natural spaces can impact college students' health underscores the importance of organizations like Aggie Outdoors in addressing these challenges and providing students with valuable outdoor experiences.

Traveling is a notoriously rare commodity due to its expensive nature and tedious planning. So how can something that is universally known as a luxury able to be consumed consistently by college students? Aggie Outdoors solves all of these problems eloquently, and cleverly takes advantage of resource allocation and price discrimination in large groups. Furthermore, the collaboration and functions of an executive organization team are utilized to efficiently coordinate a travel plan. The result? Affordable trips and weekends of mirthful recreation while bonding with like-minded creative individuals! Attempting to tackle every step in planning trips to camp would be impossible and yield half the results compared to traveling with students. The efficiency of everyone is what makes reaping the benefits of nature a possibility. But none of this would be possible without the genuine and intimate bonds the AO members have obtained. Because of the founding members and their dedication to embracing creativity, diversity, and compassion, Aggie Outdoors has been able to curate a beautiful array of amazingly passionate and unique individuals. Forging connections creates a sense of community, enriches the learning experience, and offers motivation and encouragement. Outdoor involvement, when shared with others, not only enhances the experience but also contributes to personal growth, emotional well-being, and the formation of everlasting friendships. Organizations like Aggie Outdoors recognize the importance of fostering these connections and providing students with a supportive and enriching outdoor community. Aggie Outdoors offers a unique experience not found in many organizations on campus by combining social and service interaction with outdoor benefits, catalyzing an environment that indulges in all the beauties of the human experience.

In my personal experience, I have struggled to both find my niche on campus and to find nature near College Station that is neither flat nor scorched. In my quest to find people to camp with, I have found the gem, which is Aggie Outdoors, and derived life-long friendships from it. This holistic approach to solving the epidemic of being in a landlocked college town has healed a myriad of problems for many students. Aggie Outdoors will continue to offer fulfilling experiences to college students and is a reflection of what exemplary community and human connection can look like.

Written by Ethan Patterson, Photography: Alexis Holt, Social Media: Noa Shrikhande

Getting Aggies outdoors in Aggie Outdoors