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In this photo, Audrey is the one in the backwards hat in the middle and Kennedy is the second girl on the right standing up. They are on our giant paddleboard nicknamed “The Beast,” because it is absolutely huge. We bring it out every year for Experience Weber, and it also gets rented out to people in the community. The other girls on the paddleboard were people we met during the trip, and by the end of the day we had all become friends.

Some of them even slept in our tent with us. Somehow we managed to fit eight girls into a five-person tent. We stayed up most of the night talking, laughing, and giggling over random things that probably were not even funny. It was one of those moments where you realize complete strangers can suddenly turn into friends in less than twenty-four hours. Even if I hadn’t come with people I already knew, I realized that I would have been totally fine and would have found friends super fast. 

Experience Weber was also where I first learned about the Outdoor Program and met the marketing coordinator, Leslie, who later became my supervisor. During the trip, I found out the Outdoor Program was hiring a social media specialist, which was exactly what I had been looking for. I had done social media for fun in high school and decided that I was going to study it in college, but I had not found a job in the field yet. I applied, and a few months later Leslie reached out to me. I interviewed, got the job, and now about two and a half years later, I am still working here.

Looking back, that first Experience Weber gave me far more than just a fun weekend. I left with new friends, confidence about starting college, and a connection to the Outdoor Program that eventually led to a job I still love today. I am still friends with and keep in contact with some of the girls I met that weekend, and it is wild to think that a single overnight trip played such a big role in shaping my college experience.

The second time I attended Experience Weber, I was there as staff instead of a student. I was in charge of bracelets and tie-dye, which sounded cute and harmless until my hands turned completely blue from the dye by the end of the day! I probably helped make over a hundred bracelets and helped dye a ridiculous amount of socks. I was exhausted afterward, but the sandwiches for lunch were amazing and we had Chipotle catered for dinner, which honestly made the stained hands worth it.

Being there as staff instead of a participant gave me a completely new perspective on Experience Weber. I got to watch students arrive nervous and quiet, then slowly open up as the day went on. By dinner, groups that had just met hours earlier were laughing together like old friends. I also loved being able to offer craft activities, because it meant there was something welcoming for students who might not feel comfortable jumping straight into water sports or volleyball tournaments. Seeing everyone find their place, whether on the lake or at a tie-dye table, made the experience just as rewarding as my first year.

By 2025, my third time attending Experience Weber, I spent most of the day in the water. One of the coolest things we bring is a giant inflatable slide that floats on the lake. We cannot bring it every year because setup depends on conditions, but this year we did, and everyone was so excited about it.

Attached to the slide is something we call “the blob.” One person sits on one side while another person jumps from the top of the slide onto the other side, launching the sitting person high into the air before they splash into the water. It sounds terrifying at first, but it’s safe and one of the funniest parts of the whole trip.

Another favorite tradition is racing “The Beast” (this is me sitting on the back). Teams paddle the giant paddleboard out to the inflatable slide and complete an obstacle-course-style challenge. Everyone has to climb up the slide, go down the other side, get back onto the paddle board, and race back to shore while we time them. Naturally, our Outdoor Program staff always wins. 

That year really showed me how much Experience Weber has grown into a tradition students look forward to. Everyone cheered each other on during races, laughed at wipeouts, and hyped up even the most hesitant participants. It did not matter if someone was athletic or outdoorsy, everyone was included. Watching new students step out of their comfort zones and immediately get supported by the group was one of my favorite parts of the entire weekend.

Looking back, Experience Weber has become more than just a camping trip for me. It is where I met some of my first college friends, discovered the Outdoor Program, found a job connected to what I wanted to do, and made memories I still talk about years later. Between late-night tent talks, tie-dye stained hands, racing giant paddle boards, and getting launched into the lake off the blob, Experience Weber has been one of the best parts of my college experience.

If you are an incoming student feeling nervous about college, you are not alone — I felt the exact same way. Experience Weber can feel like a big leap, especially if you do not know anyone yet or are unsure about outdoor activities. But that leap is worth it. If you show up willing to try, you just might leave with new friends, new confidence, and memories that stick with you long after the weekend ends. Take the chance, be brave, and let Experience Weber be the start of your own college story.

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