Student: Adam Forsell
Adam Forsell wants to challenge himself and others to get out of their comfort zones and try new experiences.
A veteran and graduate student, Forsell has taken his passion for the outdoors into his graduate assistantship with East Carolina University’s Campus Recreation and Wellness Adventure Leadership Program.
Forsell and one other graduate assistant oversee the entire program, which includes figuring out the logistics such as staff management, contracting trips and scheduling.
“Every day is different,” he said. Through his assistantship Forsell leads team training for high and low ropes courses, works at the boathouse at the North Recreation Center, and sets routes on the climbing walls.
Forsell leads a variety of outdoor recreation trips through his assistantship with the Adventure Leadership Program. (Contributed photo)
Originally from Loleta, California, Forsell says his upbringing had a large influence on his love of the outdoors. Coming from an area known for its outdoor recreation opportunities, he grew up hiking with his parents and visiting the redwoods with his grandparents.
“My grandpa retired from the National Park Service, so that was always a little inspiration for me,” Forsell said. “It would be really fun when I get out of the military to just go play out in the woods all day.”
After the Marine Corps, Forsell decided to come to ECU to get his master’s degree in recreation sciences through the College of Health and Human Performance.
“I chose ECU because of the program offered but also because of the pride people have in ECU. You can go just about anywhere in an ECU T-shirt and someone will recognize it,” he said.
Forsell likes to be challenged and saw earning his master’s degree as one. During the fall and spring semesters, he is taking classes, participating in his assistantship, and carving out time for himself.
Leading climbing, skydiving and horseback riding trips means free time can be hard to come by, but that does not bother him. He has always spent most of his free time outside, usually climbing, backpacking or camping.
“My assistantship along with a master’s degree sets it up so I can pretty much do whatever I want within my field,” he said. “One of the more difficult things for me is deciding where I will end up after graduation because I have so many choices.”
He is contemplating a gap year to backpack a section of the Appalachian Trail, embarking on a “crazy expedition” with NOLS, an outdoor accreditation program leading trips which he says would help build his skill set.
With his dream career taking him overseas to work in outdoor recreation, Forsell would be able to put his previous travel to good use. He spent three months living in the United Arab Emirates in high school and was deployed to England for three months and Norway for two.
Park management in a national park or professional staff with a university running an outdoor program are also options he has been considering.
On top of taking classes and leading trips through his assistantship, Forsell participates in river clean ups through Splash for Trash, which leads volunteer efforts to clean up the Tar River.
“I like to make it a competition to see who can collect the most trash,” he said. “It is a small way the individual can help.”
Students are encouraged to use all the amenities offered through ECU to get involved. Forsell echoes this and encourages students to try something new. The Adventure Leadership Program offers trips, team building experiences, outdoor gear rental and so much more.
“I definitely think people should get out of their comfort zones because those are the moments you are going to have the best memories,” Forsell said. “Becoming a well-rounded person means you should try new things because you never know what you will end up loving.”
STATISTICS
Name: Adam Forsell
Colleges: Health and Human Performance and ECU Graduate School
Major: Recreation Sciences with a concentration in Recreation and Park Administration
Age: 24
Classification/Year: Second-year graduate student
Hometown: Loleta, California
Hobbies/interests: Backpacking, rock climbing, kayaking, camping, wearing cool button-up shirts, cider making, and Dungeons and Dragons
Clubs and Organizations: Recreation and Park Management Club, Club Rock Climbing, Pirate Veterans Organization
FAVORITES
Favorite hangout: River Park North
Favorite place on campus: ECU Adventure Center and North Recreational Complex (NRC)
Favorite place to eat: Christy’s Euro Pub
Favorite class: RCSC 2600: Outdoor Recreation Activities
Professors who influenced you the most: Dr. Kindal Shores and Dr. Emily Yeager
Favorite TV show: “Letterkenny”
Favorite band/musician: Zach Bryan
Favorite movie: “The Lord of the Rings” series
Favorite website: Outdoor GearLab
MOTIVATIONS
Dream job: Outdoor educator because I can show others the beauty of nature.
Role model: My brother – Kory Forsell.
Your words to live by:“Go everywhere, study everything, fear nothing” – carved throughout the Appalachian trail
What advice do you have for other students? Always strive to get out of your comfort zone by trying new things and exploring new places. Often the best stories and memories come from these experiences.