Boise, Idaho, isn’t just a city; it’s a hub for outdoor adventure. Just ask Kaiya Schmidt, a Boise State Geosciences major who’s discovered the unique perks of growing up and studying in this vibrant, outdoorsy city.
“Boise is very unique,” Kaiya explains. “It’s not a huge city like Portland or Seattle, but it’s tucked away in the middle of Idaho. And I think that’s really cool because on the weekends I can just drive 15 minutes away and go rock climbing outside.”
Embracing Boise’s Natural Playground
Kaiya’s passion for the outdoors extends beyond just climbing. They’ve taken full advantage of Boise State Recreation’s Outdoor Program, participating in various activities like rock climbing and rafting. Working as in an on-campus job with The Rec comes with perks: “The nice thing about working at the Outdoor Program is that if there’s extra room on the trips, I can just join in,” Kaiya shares.
The program encourages students to explore new activities and connect with others who share a love for the outdoors. Whether it’s hitting the climbing gym, whitewater rafting, or venturing out on a guided backpacking trip, the Outdoor Program offers countless ways to get outside and experience the beauty of Idaho.
Earth, Wind and Fire
Kaiya’s connection to the outdoors is intertwined with their passion for geology. “I’ve always had a love for it as a young kid. And then as I grew older, I kind of went away from it a little bit. But then I took a geology class my junior year of high school concurrently through Boise State, and my teacher made me love it again.”
Even challenging coursework, like a hydrology class, has opened doors to new experiences, like a field camp in South Dakota. “I really, really enjoyed it. The base of that class led me to appreciate it more, which was really nice,” Kaiya reflects. “I don’t think I would have done that field camp or chosen that specific field camp without that hydrology class.”
“My dream job is to work for the United States Geological Survey (USGS), doing Geological Survey,” Kaiya explains. “And I want to be part of the landslide disaster team, so, like, geologic hazards.”
The USGS helps educate the public about managing environmental hazards. One stepping stone to making this their career has been working with Boise State’s Earth Wind and Fire Lab. The lab’s research studies drylands and wildfires. With the data and analysis it collects, researchers like Kaiya seek to empower communities to take action to address the causes, consequences and solutions to the Earth’s changing climate.
Getting Involved and Getting Outdoors
From participating in the Geoscience Club’s “bad geology movie nights” to serving as the financial officer for the newly formed Boise State Gymnastics Club, Kaiya has found a strong sense of community on campus. “It’s fun because a lot of people I knew in high school are here, but also I’ve made new friends,” Kaiya says. “So whenever I walk on campus, I always see someone I know.”
Kaiya’s job with the Outdoor Program as a Climbing Gym attendant is the perfect fit with their interests, is a great way to meet people and is conveniently within walking distance from their classes, making it easier to balance all the hustle and bustle of a busy college student life.
An Easy Escape to Nature
According to Wilderness Times, Boise is one of the Top 25 cities to live in for an “Outdoorsy Lifestyle”
It’s as easy as hopping on the Greenbelt, a 25-mile tree-lined pedestrian pathway that hugs the campus and runs along the Boise river. Perfect for a morning jog or bike ride with the Cycle Learning Center.
There’s no shortage of year-round outdoor fun to be had with sprawling public parks, scenic hiking trails, rock climbing, ski resorts and river sports all nearby.
Making the Most of Boise’s Outdoor Lifestyle
Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or just looking to explore new hobbies, Boise’s proximity to nature and Boise State’s active outdoor community make it easy to get outside and experience the beauty of Idaho. So, grab your hiking boots, your climbing gear or raft (courtesy of the Outdoor Program of course), and discover the adventures that await you in Boise’s backyard.
Keep up with all the exciting ways to get outside while studying at Boise State by following the Campus Rec Center on social media platforms like Instagram at @boisestaterec and see how students make the most of their great city by all year long with our #BoiseStateBucketList series.