Unplugging in the outdoors: how COAR builds community at NGU
Laci Jarrell, Staff Writer
Graphic courtesy of Evan Thompson
Between classes, assignments and the constant buzz of notifications, it can be hard for a college student to slow down. For members of North Greenville University’s Campus Outdoor Adventure Recreation club, this looks like going backpacking or gathering around a campfire.
Better known as COAR, this club offers a perfect place for them to unplug from the demands of student life.
The COAR club at NGU focuses on building outdoor skills. Activities include backpacking, rock climbing and many others. This club offers high and low impact trips, and they accommodate needs for everyone.
Their three words are “facilitate, engage and renew.” This means that they want their members to learn more skills, engage with community and renew their hearts and minds each time they step into God’s creation.
Teresa Pfeil, president of COAR, said, “I want members to not be afraid to take other people in the outdoors. People get so caught up in social media, but when you go into the woods without your phone, you experience so much peace.”
“This is a club for everyone, not just outdoor leadership majors” Pfeil said. They have about 30 members. Some of the other majors that are a part of this club include: Christian studies majors, biology majors, intercultural studies majors and interdisciplinary studies majors.
Pfeil joined this club very early on in her college career. She has a passion for the outdoors and feels safe being a part of this club. She stepped into the leadership role of president after the old president stepped down, taking a leap of faith when she decided to be president.
She has big plans for this club, including a possible spring break trip and for the campus to be able to rent out backpacking gear.
Rachel Basie is an intercultural studies major and the treasurer of the club. Her role is to handle finances and communicate the details of the club to the NGU staff. All the trips and events are self-funded.
One of the events they held was an indoor lock in at a rock-climbing facility, which Basie said was her favorite event. Basie joined COAR her fall semester of freshman year and she said that it was one of the best decisions she has ever made.
They also do a weekend backpacking trip once a semester. Members hike to a campsite, prepare dinner together and spend the night outdoors. Basie said that she loves being outside and doing outdoorsy things. She is very thankful that NGU offers a club like this.
Basie described the club as welcoming and full of down-to-earth people. They have a mix of high energy members and chill members. Everyone is there, according to Basie, because they have the same desire to build community and draw closer to the Lord through exploring His creation. She has made a lot of her close friends from COAR because they have many things in common and have shared all of these experiences.
Basie described the atmosphere as being unique and a good break from schoolwork. She said, “COAR matters at NGU because it helps build community in a smaller setting and teaches people the value of enjoying nature and life skills.”
Laney Carson is the program coordinator for COAR. She plans the trips and gets them organized. She is also a leader on the trips and can help people who might need it.
Carson describes the friendships she has made through this club as life-giving friends who have brought her closer to the Lord. She says that there are some incredible women and a group of people who she can trust and be herself around.
This club has changed her since joining because it has increased her appreciation of the outdoors. She also says that she has been able to improve her outdoor skills like backpacking.
All of these women encourage people not to be afraid to invite others outdoors. This club focuses on building outdoors skills and taking fun trips, but these memories are not limited to being a part of COAR. Carson explained that the school is in such a beautiful part of South Carolina so people should take advantage of that and enjoy the Lord’s creation.
Students interested in joining COAR can contact Pfeil or attend a future club meeting.
