RB
Ryan Baney
  • Class of 2016
  • Sioux Falls, S.D.

Ryan Baney Tours National Parks With Concordia University, Nebraska

2012 Jun 14

Ryan Baney of Sioux Falls, S.D., embarked on a study tour of four national parks along with a team of fellow students and two professors from Concordia University, Nebraska, May 7-18.

The group visited Death Valley, Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Yosemite National Parks in California.

"The objective of the trip is to open the eyes of students to the wonderful system of national parks we are blessed to have in this country," said Dr. Joel Helmer, associate professor of geography and leader of the trip. "I always tell them 'it's your land, go see and use it.'"

Students were required to select a resource management issue in the parks. They then researched the issues through interviews with park personnel, photographs, journaling and information from visitor centers. Each student also completed a digital journal of photos, writings and observations.

"This was a trip of a lifetime," said junior Matt Wingert. "Never again will I go to that many national parks or learn that much in one trip. Dr. Helmer did an outstanding job. I can't wait to go visit those parks again and share with my friends and family the things I learned," he said.

The trip included a hike on the sand dunes and a visit to the Racetrack Playa in Death Valley, exploring the backcountry in Jeeps, viewing the world's largest tree in Sequoia, and camping and hiking in Yosemite.

Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university located in Seward, Neb. that currently serves over 2,200 students. Concordia offers more than 50 professional and liberal arts programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world. For more information, visit www.cune.edu.