Kelly Duncan trades her climbing gear for a hammer and nails
When Kelly Duncan transferred to TWU from Ontario, she wanted to get involved in more than just academics. So this fall, as part of the Outdoor Club, she’ll do just that – use her rock climbing muscles to build a house for a family in need and to hike the Grand Canyon.
A group of 14 will head south to Phoenix, Arizona from November 10-15 with Habitat for Humanity, part of Student Life’s Global Projects. The majority of the team is also part of the Outdoor Club. On the final day, they will hike the Grand Canyon. Duncan signed up for the Habitat project right away: “I’ve wanted to do that for years.”
This missions trip will involve a lot of learning for Duncan as she has “never built a house before.” But she’s looking forward to working as a team and is keen to learn new skills. They will share the workload with everyone taking on a different role. In addition to working on the house construction, Duncan will prepare the lunches for the jobsite and lead a devotional one evening.
Like the missions trip, Duncan signed up for the Outdoor Club without hesitating. Before even getting on the plane from Ontario, she researched TWU’s clubs, finding particular appeal in the Outdoor Club’s website.
“I kept looking at all the pictures . . . I knew it would be a way for me to get off campus,” she said. The Outdoor Club hosts exciting trips, such as mountain biking, surfing, kayaking and hiking. It attracts many students with an itch for the extraordinary
A highlight so far for Duncan was rock climbing and camping in Squamish. While Duncan was “really sore” after, she concluded with a smile - “it was worth it.” Adventures in the great outdoors have taught Duncan a lot about herself. “I can push myself to do things I didn’t think I could,” she said confidently.
Duncan’s experience with the Outdoor Club has not only given her fresh air and adventure, but many new friends. She likes that “a lot of people from different majors come together to share one thing.” And now, that “one thing” they will share is the extraordinary experience of giving a family the keys to a new house.
To find out more about the Outdoor Club, click here.
Or does a missions trip interest you? For information on Habitat for Humanity and Global Projects click here.
Story by Gwendolen Gower.