I've said it before, and I'll say it a million times: I love canoe tripping. I'm at peace when I hear the rush of moving water against the shoreline. Unlike most, I love that lingering scent of campfire on my clothes. Lacing my boot strings up before the sun rises makes me feel like I'm Queen of the World. Hey, I even love the pasta seasoned accidentally with dirt and twigs (it builds character). But most of all, I love the way someone's eyes light up when they share stories from their wilderness adventures. Canoe tripping has been able to provide for me an outlet to learn new skill sets, travel beautiful places, create long-lasting friendships and learn incredible lessons. One of the many things I find great about adventures on the water is that the lessons I've learned through my adventures are also applicable in my day-to-day life. I credit most of my success to the lessons about perseverance, strength under pressure, hope, confidence and positivity, that I have acquired out in the bush. But, enough about me. I recently interviewed several influential people in my life who, like me, have a tremendous appreciation for camping. I asked them these two central questions:

1. What is one lesson you've learned through your camping experience(s)?

2. Is this lesson that you've learned applicable to everyday life?

So, without further ado, let me introduce you to a handful of my comrades.

Alec Hegg

Alec (pictured on the left) is a senior in high school who lives in East Lansing, Michigan. He has been canoe tripping for eight years and has gone on a total of 25 canoe trips. Alec plans on studying at Knox College in the fall.

Alec, do you have an experience from a camping trip that you learned a valuable lesson on?

One thing that tripping has taught me is teamwork. You and your group are a team. Everybody knows what work needs to be done, and each person works to benefit the team. For instance, on one occasion we came to the top of a series of 10-foot waterfalls, and the portage trail bypassing the waterfalls was essentially non-existent. To reach the bottom, we had to station several people at each level and slowly pass the canoes down the falls one by one.

Do you find yourself applying this lesson day-to-day?

The lesson I learned translated into my everyday life by helping me to work with others better, whether in classes or on a sports team. It's useful because throughout life you are going to have to cooperate and work with other people.

Marianne Drysdale

Marianne is a senior in high school in the "Land of 10,000 Lakes." She has been canoe tripping for eight years, which cashes her in for a total of 16 canoe trips. Marianne plans on studying at University of Michigan in the fall.

Hey, Marianne! Can you tell me a little bit about the lessons you've learned from canoe tripping, and how it influences your day-to-day life?

Oh my God, I can't even explain how much it influences my life! How about the fact that literally every time I see a body of water I think about paddle swirls? Any time I'm doing something challenging, I compare it to portaging, and as I'm looking at colleges I think about how I already know how to live with people and work on a team. It's also nice to just having really peaceful memories in the memory bank to think about when I'm stressed out by the go-go-go of my crazy life. When I have an away meet, three quizzes and a test the next day, friend group drama arises, and I haven't gotten more than five hours of sleep all week, I think about my adventures. I think about nights without phones or friend drama, just us looking at how far we've gone on the map. I think about how our biggest problems were trying to get the cheese on our pizza to get brown without burning the bottom, drying our socks without lighting them on fire or when our next snack break was. When I think of these things, I instantly feel better. Every kid should be able to experience canoe tripping. I honestly owe my best character qualities to nights in the woods.

Sarena Pollock

Sarena (pictured on the right), a senior from Pennsylvania, has been canoe tripping since she was 9 years old. These years of tripping have led Sarena on 22 canoe trips altogether. Sarena is headed to Felinsgrove, Pennsylvania to study at Susquehanna in the fall.

OK, so, share with me a moment where you learned a lesson on a canoe trip.

Throwing it back to 2009, I was on a three-day long canoe trip in Canada. I was in a canoe and having one of my first brushes with a migraine. I was in pain, I didn't want to be on the trip and I just kept complaining. One leader looked at me and said, "You need to appreciate these moments while we're here. You won't have a really good experience unless you're open to it." At first I was mad because I felt as if someone was trying to tell me I wasn't in pain. After awhile, I came to realize that my leader was right. I needed to "grin and bear it" and become more optimistic. The fact that I was able to realize this at such a young age is actually really cool. I don't think I would have come to this conclusion if it weren't for canoe tripping.

And how does this lesson of positivity translate into your day-to-day life?

Being positive gives me encouragement to help me get through the worst times. Now that I look on the bright side of things, I know that I can get through anything that life throws at me. Don't get me wrong, it's easy to become negative. It's really easy. However, I keep this moment from 2009 close to me as a reminder to always move forward. Positivity helps me move forward and betters my character, and it helps to ask myself, "Would you rather be smiling, or in a leaky, old boat?"

Jack Roskopp

Jack (thumbs up and wide smile), a graduate of Western Michigan University, has been canoe tripping for 10 years. Guesstimating, he thinks he has been on around 10 to 15 canoe trips.

Would you like to share with me a story from a canoe trip that you felt taught you a valuable lesson?

One of the most insane canoe trips I went on was when I was 17, and we were doing a great trip for rapids, called the Spanish Way. Our leader decided to up the ante by adding on extra distance, and completing the trip the fastest it's ever been done. So, by day five of the trip we are finally on the river, which would be day eight or nine of the trip. We come up to a set of rapids, and our leader checks it out. He decides it's safe to shoot. Then guess what happens? We tip. As our packs and canoes float down the river, we are on the side of the river in knee-deep water trying to get to where the packs may be. Suddenly, my foot gets caught between two rocks, and I can't get it out. The current is pushing me forward, and my leg is getting quite the strain. After making it out, I could barely walk. Once we regrouped and found a campsite, we had to make a decision if we were going to continue, pullout all together or just let me exit the trip. The conditions were tough, and I was in pain. I wanted out. I was slowing down the group, and we wanted to finish it. If I continued, that wasn't gonna happen. Looking back, I wish I could have finished the trip. But, I learned how to be selfless. I was slowing down the group in such a major way that everyone would have missed the best parts of the trip. I would have been so proud of myself if I could have mustered up the strength to make it through the trip, but who the hell knows what craziness could have happened if I continued on. When life gets crazy and overwhelming, were taught to man up and get through it. I'm all for having inner strength and prevail through adversity, but sometimes it's OK to step down. No one is going to think less of you. I stayed safe, and the rest of the group got to finish what we all started together.

Molly and Anna Boulukus

Molly and Anna are a dynamic mother/daughter duo. They are from Carmel, Indiana, and canoe tripping runs in their veins.

Can you both share with me a little bit about your experience canoe tripping, and what tripping has taught you?

Molly: I've been camping since I was 10 years old (24 years!). In a very rough estimate, I've probably been on 25-30 canoe trips ranging from one to two nights, to 12 nights out. On my first canoe trip in northern Ontario, I forgot my raincoat, and it rained. Hard. I had to wear a trash bag over my clothes to keep dry, and I never forgot my raincoat again. Camping taught me the importance of preparation, but also the value of being flexible. On muddy, buggy, rainy canoe trips, I proved to myself that I am tough enough. I learned to push myself to overcome and endure challenges, but also that it is OK to depend on others.

Anna: I have been camping for five years, and I have been on seven canoe trips. Canoe trips have taught me that you should always lend a helping hand to others. When we have to collect fire wood or purify the water I try to make sure I'm always helping others. If you help others, then you get to have fun and grow your relationships with them. I take those skills that I have learned on canoe trips and apply them at school when we are doing group project or other things like that. That is what I have learned from going on canoe trips!

All in all, it's safe to say that each individual I interviewed has grown in some way from their canoe tripping experiences. We all continue to reap the rewards of our adventures, and truly believe that canoe tripping has made us who we are today. Not only is canoe tripping a great and unconventional way to get in shape, but it also ends up shaping your character. No matter if canoe tripping is a staple in your life or if you have yet to try it, I want to leave you all with a sentiment of encouragement by Walt Whitman:

"Now Voyageur, sail thou forth to seek and find."