Transforming lives one backpacking trip at a time

A former “painfully shy kid”, Claire McDonald’s English studies have equipped her to help others feel comfortable in the outdoors and with themselves.

McDonald transferred into the English department the second semester of her freshman year. For the past four years, she’s spent most of her time in two places: Daniel Hall studying various works of literature and the Snow Family Outdoor Fitness and Wellness Complex as the most recent Open Enrollment Trip Manager.

McDonald admits she was initially hesitant to join the Clemson Outdoor Recreation and Education (CORE) program. She loved the outdoors and had seen the practical social impact that time outside could have on kids as a summer camp counselor at Green River Summer Camp. McDonald pressed into her nerves and joined CORE, making herself get involved as she realized she couldn’t find an answer to the question she was asking herself: “Why am I so scared to talk to these people?”

Her enthusiasm for CORE quickly grew. But as she spent her time in two very different places (the Daniel Hall classroom and the Snow Family Outdoor Center), McDonald realized she had a unique opportunity to bridge the gap for students who may have been in the same boat she was, hesitant to try something new.

“I love CORE, but there’s a very specific type of person that works at CORE and goes on CORE trips,” McDonald said. “It’s the outdoor person. The people that I interact with most are not those people.”

McDonald realized her English background was the key to connecting with those hesitant to do CORE activities.

“Empathy is a lot of what we do in English,” she said. “We want to see the other side and not approach things from our own bias, which is really helpful if I’m with someone who is scared of an activity that I enjoy. I’m not going to immediately tell them to do. We’re going to figure out what they are worried about and how to help them do what they are comfortable with instead of just looking at things from my perspective.”

McDonald also shared how her English background has helped her realize the importance of clear communication. Communicating clearly before a trip helps participants know what to expect, hopefully relieving some anxiety. “I try to be very clear about the expectations and skill levels involved so you don’t sign up for something and not know exactly what you’re getting into,” McDonald said.

McDonald has had the joy of seeing her hard work pay off. After leading a challenging Spring Break trip to Big Bend National Park, three of McDonald’s trip participants now work at CORE because they loved the trip so much.

“The best part is seeing people coming back,” she said, explaining how exciting it is to see people sign up for more trips. “I really think it’s one of the best resources on campus. Especially when you’re a freshman and don’t know anybody. Do an intro to backpacking trip and you’ll meet five of your best friends.”

The outdoors have been instrumental in McDonald’s own social confidence and she hopes to make CORE a place where others can have that same experience. “If people aren’t wired for the outdoors, it doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy it,” she said. “It just takes a different approach.”