Grayson Highlands (2021)
With COVID-19, and the isolation that has accompanied it, outdoor recreation and time spent in nature have been valued more than ever. People have flocked to the outdoors since the start of the pandemic. This may just be a pastime, but for many, it has become crucial to their mental health in an era of restriction. None of this could be possible without leaders in the outdoor recreation industry that are willing to facilitate experiences and inspire people. Caeley Grady is a 23 year old graduate student at Ohio University and works with the university's Outdoor Pursuits program as their graduate assistant. This project follows her as she balances planning a backpacking trip with her daily life, facilitates the trip, and inspires those on the trip- highlighting the freedom outdoor programs provided students during the tail end of the pandemic when the world felt very isolated.
