CU Outings Tackles Student Isolation WithOutdoor Adventure

Feeling isolated on a college campus is not unusual — according to theAmerican College Health Association,nearly 60%of college students report feeling lonely or isolated.A new student organization at Cedarville University decided to do something about it. Their solution?Getoutsidetogether.

Theirdesirefor connection and love forthe outdoorsled to the creation of CUOutings, astudent organization focused on hiking, backpacking, rockclimbingandother outdoor activities. Foritsmembers, outdooradventuresaren’tjust about conqueringnew trails or climbs —they’rea way tobuilda community andrechargementallyamidthedemandsofcollege life.

Expert Insight on Mental Health Benefits

Dr. Kristin DeWitt, professor ofpsychologyat Cedarville, said outdoor recreation supports long-term mental health, promotesmindfulnessand strengthens social connections — along with many other benefits.

“Regular outdoor activity is associated with lower rates of anxiety, depressionand burnout,” said DeWitt. “Even‘microdoses’of 10to15 minutes outside can yield measurable improvements.”

Campus Resources and Community Engagement

Cedarville offersresourcesto support holistic student wellness, including a rock wall, camping equipment, pickleball and sand volleyball courts and a fitness center.CU Outings supplements those resourceswithmeaningful on- and off-campus experiences — hikes, climbs and campouts that build friendships.

In justits firstcouple months, the group has completed multiple hiking, rock climbing and camping trips, managing safety and traininglogisticswhile attracting dozens of students. More outings are in the works, including backpacking excursions.

CU Outings is led by Brandon Metz, a sophomore finance major from Charlottesville, Indiana; Taylor DeYoung, ajuniornursing major from Larkspur, Colorado; JoshuaPantangan, a sophomore business management major from Norfolk, Virginia; Caleb Hartman, a senior business management major fromArcanum, Ohio; and Drew Schmidt, a senior molecular biology major fromDavisburg, Michigan.

Discovering Local Nature and Intercollegiate Connections

Metz,who serves aspresident,saidCedarville’slocationis perfectfor outdoor recreation.

“Twentyminutes in any direction will get you to some sort of gorge,” said Metz. “We have everything close, and it’s all gorgeous.”

Whileclimbingat Mad River Gorge,CU Outingsmetstudents from Wright State Universityandexchangedcontact toparticipateinintercollegiateevents.

Finding a Home Through Shared Experiences

Abigail Osborne, afreshmanbiology major fromPittsfield, New Hampshire, joined CU Outingsearly in her firstsemester. At home, she lovesclimbing with her dad.

“It’s things like this that help me feel at homeatCedarville,” said Osborne.

For students like Osborne, CU Outings offers more than just outdoor adventure —it’sa way to build meaningful friendships and support mental wellness through shared experiences in nature.

About Cedarville University

Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offersundergraduateandgraduateresidential and online programs across arts,sciencesand professional fields.With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates.Learn more at cedarville.edu.