By: Jasmin Mendoza ('20)
Buckling into a harness and climbing up forty-feet tall structures may sound like an acrophobic's worst nightmare, but for the Project Adventure club, members have an opposite reaction: challenge by choice.
The motto, created by the Project Adventure organization allows students or members to make the decision whether or not to step out of their comfort zones and challenge themselves.
The Project Adventure Club has many courses for students to try and face their fears. It allows students to gain many values and skills from facing challenges and their peers, such as growing mentally, physically, and emotionally and teambuilding.
“While they’re going up a high element, they are putting their safety in the hands of the other students - a trust factor that you can’t get in other places,” said Project Adventure Club adviser Mr. Sean Edwards.
With the amount of stress students experience is gradually increasing over the years, a club that provides fresh air is the perfect remedy, according to Mr. Edwards.
“Kids are so stressed out about everything these days. ‘Oh I gotta join seven hundred clubs for my transcript’. Our club is kinda more focused on just getting outside, fresh air, some sunlight, and just having some fun,” said Mr. Edwards.
With the total number of students increasing each year, the Project Adventure Club has an average of thirty members each year. While only juniors and seniors are allowed to participate in Project Adventure in gym class, the club welcomes students of all grade levels to try and step out of their comfort zones.
“It helps you get outside, helps you be active, and helps you conquer your fears. We make sure that no one is afraid to do something,” said Eric Ho, the president of the Project Adventure club.
If someone is afraid to do a course, they simply have the opportunity to decline and try something that interests them. However, that does not mean that members are simply allowed to sit and watch.
If they don’t want to climb a specific course, there are always other options.
They could be apart of the belay team, a group of 5 to 6 people who hold and protect the climber from falling with their belts and ropes. They also could hold the ladder for the climber. If they don’t want to climb, they still can perform other jobs as well.
Vice-president Sarswat Jha said safety is the number one priority and although they motivate everyone to try, they certainly do not force them.
Project Adventure started in 1971 as a Non-Profit Organization founded by educators in Hamilton, Massachusetts and has made its home in South Brunswick High School as well as other high schools around the United States. Since the club has been running for more than six years, it looks as it will continue to be the only outdoor club that is here to stay.