Alexandra "Alex" Bacha

Alexandra "Alex" Bacha

Hometown: Titusville/”Central Florida”
Favorite outdoors trip I've been on and why: This question is incredibly hard to answer but I guess would say any trip on the Wacissa. This local river is one of my favorite places. It is close and beautiful with plenty of wildlife (and I am not just talking gators and birds). Plus Big Blue spring is a great place to play and eat lunch.

Why I'm apart of FSU Outdoor Pursuits: When I was a little girl my aunt would take me on outdoor trips in the Northeast (like the White Mountains, NH) and I absolutely loved it. So I was super excited to find out that FSU offered outdoor trip opportunities and was eager to take advantage. Taking the Outdoor Adventure Education course (LEI3266, taught by our director Lee Murphy) introduced me to Outdoor Pursuits. My first trip was the St Augustine Kayak (Fall 2005) and I also took the Wilderness First Aid course. I volunteered Spring 2006 because I wanted to be more involved with the program and I after ALTA I was hooked on OP.

The other stuff I do here at FSU:
FSU Challenge Facilitator

Camp Flastacowo Travel Camp Recreation Leader

Academic interests:

Business Minor Certificate Spring 2008

Recreation Leisure Services Administration Program within the College of Education

		Brandon Quinn

Hometown:  Miami, FL

Favorite Outdoor Trip:  Ahh. . . well it’s a very close call between a four day paddle on the Buffalo or a week spent climbing at Foster Falls and hiking the Appalachian Trail though Georgia and North Carolina.

Why I am a part of OP:  It gives me the opportunity to spend time in nature sharing and connecting with others.  It’s also a lot of fun!

Other stuff at FSU:  FSU Climbing Club

Academic Interests:  As Christopher Teele Ford would say:  Play and Relaxation

		Steve Robinson

Stephen Robinson         
Hometown: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Favorite outdoors trip I've been on and why: White water rafting the Snake River in Wyoming. It is a rush to hit category IV rapids head on!
Piece of gear I can't live without: My leather man- has almost everything you would need to survive.
Why I'm apart of FSU Outdoor Pursuits: I love being outdoors. It's a natural high for me. I couldn't think of a better office space than the outdoors.
The other stuff I do here at FSU: Lifeguard at FSU Reservation, Ropes Course Facilitator, Rock Wall, President and Co-Founder of the FSU Snow-Sports Club. Academic interests: Recreation & Leisure Services Administration. I intend to go to grad school in Colorado after I graduate.

Update:

Steve has moved to Washington State and is working as the HR rep at a small ski resort.

		Dru Swain

Dru Swain      
Hometown: Niceville, FL
Favorite outdoors trip I've been on and why: Backpacking the rainforest in Belize, Central America, has been my favorite outdoors trip. There is nothing like hiking through a rainforest on a rainy day, hearing the roar of a jaguar, and looking up to see howler monkeys in the canopy above; Poetic!

Why I'm apart of FSU Outdoor Pursuits: The skills that I have learned, and the experiences that I have had, through this program are innumerable, and one of the greatest things about this program is the opportunity that I have to teach those same skills, and facilitate those same experiences, to, and for, others.

The other stuff I do here at FSU: Facilitator for FSU Challenge, work the Rock Wall for the FSU Reservation, member of Florida State University Recreation Professionals
Academic interests: I am a Recreation and Leisure Services Administration major. I hope to continue my education here at FSU in the grad. program for Recreation. When I grow up, I want be the Director of an Outdoor Adventure Program for a camp, but my real passion lies with Challenge Courses, so I hope to incorporate that in my field of study.

Update:

Dru finally talked his college sweetheart into marriage and has started a beautiful little family with a sweet baby girl. Dru is teaching in Niceville, FL.

		Brian Williams

Brian D. Williams      
Hometown: Tallahassee, FL
Favorite outdoors trip I've been on and why: Climbing in Poudre and Boulder Canyons. It was my first time climbing on real rock and what better place to do it than two canyons known worldwide for their climbing routes. And I had good company.
Why I'm apart of FSU Outdoor Pursuits: As someone who is concerned about the future of our wild and natural areas, I feel the best way to preserve them is to help others experience the wilderness in the same way I do, hoping they too can understand its draw and my reason for concern.
The other stuff I do here at FSU: FSU Rock Climbing Club
Academic interests: Economics, Sociology, Politics.

Update:

It has been reported that Brain is living in the woods somewhere around G'ville...supposedly no running water, no indoor plumbing , or electric...not a single luxury.

		Jason David

Jason David

Hometown:  ATL by way of Orlando, Florida

Favorite outdoors trip I've been on and why: That would have to be the Pinhoti Trail in Fall ’07. It was the first trip I ever led and it couldn’t have gone better. On my own time? I went to do some hiking on the Appalachian Trail with my cousin that I hadn’t spent time with since we were kids. We had a blast getting stranded on the summit of Blood Mountain during a 24-hour rain storm and deciding to run down to the local store in the middle of it. It was my first time on the A.T. and I’ll never forget it.

Why I'm apart of FSU Outdoor Pursuits: Originally I came to OP to spend more time going on trips. Seeing new places and not having to pay for the gas sounded like an awesome deal, and if I had to lead a bunch of strangers into the wilderness to do it, that was alright by me. It was after my first trip that I realized that what I loved even more than visiting these amazing natural places was meeting new people in such a unique situation. You’ll get to know people so well and so fast because you have to come together, and by the end of the trip you’ve made some serious memories with people you didn’t even know two days before.

Academic Interests: I’m an Anthropology major in my 3rd year, which basically means I watched Indiana Jones way too many times when I was a kid. And while I don’t take courses in fighting Nazis or running from giant boulders, I still really love what I’m learning and can’t get enough.

The other stuff I do here at FSU: When I’m not leading trips for OP you can probably find me attached to the end of a rope at the REZ’s outdoor Rock Wall. We always want people to climb so you should definitely come out!

		Andrew Anderson

Andrew Anderson       
Hometown:  Travelers Rest, South Carolina
My freshman year of college I went on an excursion to Pembrokeshire, a small village on the coast of Wales, where I kayaked in an abandoned quarry, hiked along the coast, and battled the rocky coastline and brutal waves as I coasteered.  After my long days were done, I was able to spend time with some of my best friends around a campfire and flawless starry sky.
Why I'm apart of FSU Outdoor Pursuits:  In need of some sort of escape, I sought out OP my second year at FSU.  What I found was not only a great organization with a outstanding outlook on sharing experiences in the outdoors, but also a community that I can be a part of and help advance our presence on campus.
Academic interests:  I am an English literature major who is currently exploring art history and classical civilization to possibly become minors.

The other stuff I do here at FSU:  When I am not studying and trying to better my beloved program thru the spreading of propaganda...I like to garden.

		Tara Heagan

Home town: Delray Beach, Florida

Favorite Outdoor trip and why:  I went to Alaska and backpacked into the Talkeetna Mountains and white water rafted out.  After backpacking, I sea kayaked in the Prince William Sound for a few weeks.  It loved this trip because it was my first big adventure trip and Alaska is absolutely beautiful.

Why I am a part of OP:  I am a part of OP because I love to be outside and Outdoor Pursuits let’s me get out.  I can take a break from my normal routine and just relax in the great outdoors!

Other stuff at FSU:  I am a Nursing major and I live in the nursing living and learning community in Wildwood.