Adventure Starts Here: Sharon Mullins and Yvonne Entingh

Ever wanted to scale the side of a mountain, battle rapids in a kayak or commune with nature in the backcountry but feel too intimidated? Five Rivers Outdoors, the outdoor recreation department of Five Rivers MetroParks, offers outstanding recreational programming that takes the intimidation factor out of the outdoors. Just ask Sharon Mullins and Yvonne Entingh. Both began with Five Rivers Outdoors’ Backpacking Basics program and have since completed multiple destination trips with Five Rivers Outdoors as well as independently. They have become such backpacking enthusiasts that in June they completed a week long hike on the Appalachian Trail with friends they met through their Five Rivers Outdoors classes and the Miami Valley Outdoor Club.

The progression of Five Rivers Outdoors’ programs, for activities such as backpacking, kayaking and climbing, is based upon a strategy of empowering participants toward independent recreation through skill development and access to adventure facilities. By providing a welcoming, entertaining, and comfortable environment for introductory programming, participants are able to learn skills step by step and gain the confidence to try new adventures and progress toward self sufficiency. “Five Rivers Outdoors programming allows participants to progress at their own pace and can accommodate busy schedules by gradually increasing the level of difficulty,” says Brent Anslinger, Outdoor Recreation Manager for Five Rivers Outdoors. “Participants can show up to the basic level classes straight from work wearing a suit and tie and when they’re ready, trade in the suit for boots and a backpack.”

For Sharon, an occupational therapist and busy mother of three from Vandalia, backpacking was always something she wanted to try but felt that she didn’t have the time or the knowledge required. Yvonne, of Bellbrook, also felt the time crunch due to her job as Vice President of Entingh Water Conditioning, Inc. and being a mom. Once her kids left home, however, Yvonne decided it was time to try something new. She grew up watching her father and brother take backpacking trips and had always wanted to try for herself. After learning about Five Rivers Outdoors, both Sharon and Yvonne signed up for the Backpacking Basics course, where they learned about trip planning, trail techniques and nutrition, physical fitness, and "Leave No Trace" concepts.  After learning the basic skills, the class went on a guided overnight backpacking trip in Germantown MetroPark to practice the skills they had acquired.  After successfully completing the Introduction to Backpacking overnight and feeling confident enough to participate in more advanced adventures, Sharon and Yvonne joined Five Rivers Outdoors on extended trips to Shawnee State Forest, Lake Vesuvius,  Red River Gorge and the Appalachian Trail. “MetroParks did a great job of stair-stepping everything,” said Sharon. “They encourage you to independently do as much as you can while still guiding you in the process.”

Each phase of Five River’s Outdoors programming model is built upon previously learned skills and every advanced experience is tailored to fit the proficiency of the participant. “We will never make someone do something they aren’t comfortable with. We want to work with them to increase their knowledge base and skill level to a point where they can really enjoy an activity. Every trip is unique and every person is unique so we try to do our best to match those,” says Brent. Inspiring confidence and self-efficacy is at the heart of all recreation programming. “The leaders- Brent, Amy, Andy- are so energetic and helpful that it helped me have a positive experience. This has built such a higher level of confidence in me that I feel like I can do anything,” says Yvonne. In fact, because of the great experience they had backpacking, both Sharon and Yvonne have signed up for Five Rivers’ climbing and rappelling classes. Even after becoming sufficient in a particular area that programming is no longer necessary, Five Rivers encourages participants to stay connected to others with similar interests and to pursue other activities and adventures independently. After their backpacking experiences, Sharon and Yvonne both joined the Miami Valley Outdoor Club as well as formed their own impromptu backpacking group made up of other MetroParks participants and friends. For Sharon, Five Rivers Outdoors’ programming provides a great opportunity. “It was a wonderful way to gain knowledge and skills for backpacking as well as a way to meet people who love the same things as me. The staff is exceptional and the people you meet become good friends,” she says. Yvonne agrees. “I would encourage anyone who has any interest, but doesn't know where to get started, to get involved with the Five Rivers Outdoors programs.  Life is an adventure, life is a journey, and life is passion. Make sure you experience it all!”