University of Central Florida Backpacks Across Cumberland Island
National Park Trust’s College Ambassador Program equips college students with the resources to lead outdoor recreation, conservation, and stewardship outings for their campus communities. Ambassadors plan each trip themselves, connecting their peers to parks, public lands, and waters, often for the first time. The story below was written by Eva Brock, National Park Trust College Ambassador at the University of Central Florida, about a recent backpacking outing to Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia.
On Friday, September 4, Haley and I met with our eight participants in the Outdoor Adventure Center and began preparing for our outdoor recreation outing to Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia. Many of our participants had never backpacked before, so we taught them how to pack their backpacks before leaving, and then we were on the move! After three hours of driving, we arrived at Crooked River State Park. We stayed the night at this campsite, close to the Cumberland Island Ferry, so we could catch the early ferry the next morning. The energy was high, and you could almost feel the anticipation in the air.
The next morning, we arrived at the ferry that took us to Cumberland Island National Seashore, and we were immediately met with horses on the beach! It was awe-inspiring to see them so early in the trip. Once we got off the ferry, we met with Michelle, a park ranger on the island. She gave us a history of the island and informed us about future careers with the National Park organization. She was a highlight of the trip because every day (planned or unplanned) we ended up running into her and updating her on our adventures. After meeting her, we started our 7.5-mile hike up to camp. As we trekked through the maritime forest, it felt as if we had been transported into a different world. The canopy of trees was endless, and every now and then you could spot an armadillo. The first night we stayed at Yankee Paradise, a backcountry campground. We got to teach our participants how to treat water, cook with a WhisperLite stove, set up a bear hang, and more.
Day two on the island was a favorite for many of the participants. We began the day with a tour of Plum Orchard, a mansion that was owned by the Carnegie family. The tour was led by National Park trust volunteers who gave us an extensive history of the island, including the Carnegie family. Many participants loved learning more about the island because it made them feel more connected to it. At Plum Orchard, we had a picnic lunch where we ate pita pizzas, a personal favorite of mine. Next on the agenda was hiking down 3.5 miles to our next camp, Stafford Beach. On the hike, there was a horse stopped in front of us, so we had to wait until it moved so we could continue. Most of us did not mind the wait, considering it gave us a rest, too. Once we reached Stafford Beach Campsite, we dropped our packs and went down to the beach. Everyone had been so hot, buggy, and tired that they practically ran into the ocean. That moment was another favorite. The water was calm and the perfect temperature. Everyone returned to camp with new life. We sat in a circle during dinner, laughing and recalling moments from the day. During this time, you could tell that these weren’t strangers anymore; it was a close group of friends.
On the last day on the island, we went to Dungeness Ruins, the second mansion on the island that had burned down many years ago. It was horse central. We let participants roam the ruins, take pictures, and enjoy the horses. The reason Haley and I chose Cumberland Island is because of the rich history and diverse ecosystem (maritime forests, beaches, and salt marshes). This trip would not have been possible without National Park Trust. I can say that from talking with the participants, it was the first time some of them had been exposed to this level of outdoors, and they left the trip wanting to explore more. When we arrived back at UCF, the energy was still as high as it was on the first day. Everyone left laughing and smiling.
About National Park Trust
National Park Trust is an independent, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has protected national park land since 1983, acquiring missing pieces of our national parks and benefiting 58 national park sites nationwide. Our mission is to preserve parks today and create park stewards for tomorrow.
Our youth education and family initiatives — Buddy Bison School Programs, College Ambassador Program, and Military Family Programs, along with National Kids to Parks Day — connect tens of thousands of people to the outdoors each year.
We believe public parks, lands, and waters should be cared for, enjoyed, and preserved by all, for current and future generations. Learn more at parktrust.org.
