This Thanksgiving break, from Nov. 21 to Nov. 25, the Office of Recreation and Wellness will partner with Beyond the Map, an organization focused on creating unique travel experiences, to invite NSU students on a friendsgiving trip to North Carolina.
Marcela Santiago, associate director of programs, recreation and wellness, said that while she wouldn’t define the trip as a replacement for a traditional Thanksgiving, the trip allows students who wouldn’t otherwise be able to go home for the holidays to do something fun.
“I think that because of the way the semester goes, where you have Thanksgiving break, come back and it’s two weeks before finals and then you have the winter break, it’s hard for some students to go [home],” said Santiago. “So, this is a good opportunity to at least provide an option for students who are staying on campus.”
At a ticket price of $375, the trip covers all meals, a four-night stay in a mountain cabin, guided experiences, hiking tours, technical gear and park entrance fees. In addition to the sunset, waterfall and night hikes, participants will have an opportunity to explore the underground caves of the Appalachian Mountains.
“We partnered with Beyond the Map and actually the person that started the company is an NSU alumni,” said Santiago. “He [Cody Bliss] vets out all of these places beforehand and builds relationships with the locals there to really try to provide the travelers with an authentic experience.”
Santiago said that although the trip will feature many outdoor activities, the trip is catered for a group of people with all levels in mind. Moreover, students will also have a day to explore the city of Asheville while on the trip.
For more information about the trip or to register, students should visit rec.nov.edu/outdoor_adventures. Registration for the trip ends on Nov. 2.
