Finding My Place in Whitman’s Outdoor Community

Growing up in Bellingham, Washington, I was constantly surrounded by nature. My parents were always taking my brother and me on outdoor adventures—whether hiking after school, skiing in the winter, kayaking in the San Juan Islands in the summer, or camping and backpacking weekend trips. I cherished these fun-filled adventures with my family.

When it came time to start applying to college, I knew that having access to the outdoors and a community that valued nature and adventures was at the top of my list. In fact, that was one of the main reasons I chose Whitman College! From the moment I arrived on campus, I instantly connected with a lot of amazing people, many of whom shared my love for the outdoors. In my Introduction to Environmental Studies class, we had weekly excursions to visit different sites around Walla Walla as they related to what we were learning about in class, like wind turbines, dams, and local farms. This gave me an automatic (and required) opportunity to spend time in my beloved outdoors.

I also prioritized getting off campus and connecting with nature through outdoor adventures with my new friends. In February of my first year, I went to the Backcountry Ski Festival at Anthony Lakes in Oregon with a huge group of Whitman students. It was an unforgettable experience to meet a ton of new people, build our bonds, and explore a new and beautiful area that I had never been to before! A few weekends later, we all went to Smith Rock, also in Oregon, for the first time. This park blew my mind! The amount of incredible sport climbs, the gorgeous scenery, and the community that I saw there wowed me. To this day, it is still one of my favorite places to visit.

New opportunities to connect with the outdoors kept coming. In my second year at Whitman, my good friend Harrison came to me with the idea to start a magazine to showcase all of our adventures within the Whitman community. I loved this idea and jumped in right away to make this a reality. A group of us pitched the magazine idea to the student government, the Associated Students of Whitman College, and started growing our team. As the Co-President and Co-Head of Outreach, I have the privilege of overseeing a team of over 20 motivated, inspiring, and passionate students who make this publication happen. Check out The Whitman Outdoor Journal (WOJ) online. Or if you’re visiting campus, pick a copy up at one of our newsstands. We distribute hundreds of copies to the campus community free of charge every semester. To date, we have published four beautiful editions of the magazine, with a fifth edition on its way.

Whether you’re just starting to explore the outdoors or are already an avid adventurer, you’ll find a community that supports you! Plus, when you book a trip through Whitman’s Outdoor Program, you get $150 trip credit to use on any trip. You can climb at nearby Wallula Gap or Vantage, ski at Bluewood, Spout Spring, or Anthony Lakes, hike in the Blues or Wallowas, or go for an afternoon stroll at Bennington Lake, just to name a few.

All of this is to say that the opportunities to immerse yourself in the outdoor community at Whitman are endless. Since arriving on campus, I have been involved with WOJ while continuing to go on weekend trips, teaching at Whitman’s Climbing Center, and exploring the nearby outdoor gems.

When I first came to Whitman, I was unsure of how my relationship with the outdoors would evolve over the next four years. Now, as a senior, I can say, without a doubt, that it has only grown deeper. The meaningful experiences I’ve had in the outdoors have shaped my time here in ways I never expected. I could go on and on about all the meaningful experiences I have had outdoors since coming to Whitman or the opportunities that I wouldn't have had anywhere else, but more than anything I want to express my deep sense of gratitude for everything Whitman has provided me in my journey outdoors.

Arden Hunt ’25 (she/her) is a Psychology major from Bellingham, Washington. Every spring, she gets excited to see the baby ducks all around on campus!

Check out more of Arden’s adventures in the gallery below!