Getting back to nature

Times Reporter

 

Kate Taplin, a Strathmore High School (SHS) student, spent three weeks of her summer along the west coast, after being awarded a $5,000 scholarship to participate in an Outward Bound adventure.

Taplin went to Tofino B.C., where she spent most of her time kayaking, going on day hikes and occasionally overnight hikes. 

“I wanted to do something different. I’ve always loved the water and I thought it would be kind of cool to go to the west coast,” said Taplin. 

“It was great actually, such an experience.”

Taplin heard about the new scholarship, created last year by Brett Wilson and the Prairie Merchant Corporation, a few days before the application deadline. She had to write an essay outlining why she thought an Outward Bound trip would benefit her. 

In the essay she talked about her love for adventure, nature and meeting new people, and said she thought it seemed perfect for her.  

“Being outside in nature for so long can really bring you back to who you are. There’s no drama, no outside world drama. It’s kind of keeping it real the whole time,” said Taplin.

“It’s just such an experience. I just came back with a whole new appreciation…like I wouldn’t say a completely new outlook on life, but in a way it is. It’s different being out there and it kind of brings you back to the basics and what’s important in life, but really it was just really cool.”

Taplin is happy to have made new friends across the country, and said if she had a chance to go on an Outward Bound trip again she would go to Ecuador.