August 15, 2019

Need a break from city living? The Weekend Warriors show how easy it is to get back to nature with fun and affordable trips not far from campus. We caught up with trip leader Anika Arose, a global studies major with minors in Spanish and sociology, and organization President Michael Kanner, to learn about their experiences with the organization.

Tell us about the mission of the Weekend Warriors.

Michael: Weekend Warriors is a student-run outdoor club at Drexel. Our mission is to bring Drexel students on a variety of outdoor adventures at low costs. We provide the necessary expertise, transportation and equipment to engage students in new activities or continue exploring familiar ones. Our trips provide great opportunities to take a short break and escape the stresses of classwork. Additionally, we strive to forge students into great leaders through their roles as trip leaders, overseeing our trips and daily operation of the organization.

How did you come to be involved with the organization?

Anika: I am from a small town in North Carolina, so when I moved to Philadelphia, I missed the outdoors a lot and was looking for a way to keep up some of my favorite hobbies in the city environment. I found out about Weekend Warriors through Dragon Link; after that, I started going on trips whenever I could and applied to be a trip leader in the winter of my freshman year.

Any favorite memories with the group?

Anika: Members of the group have become my closest friends; they make every outdoor activity more enjoyable and I cherish all my memories in the club. Going on sunrise hikes, especially in the summer, has been one of my favorite things to do with the club

How has being a member of the organization benefited you, professionally and/or personally?

Anika: Personally, I have expanded my outdoor knowledge and been exposed to a variety of new sports/activities that have now become some of my favorites! Professionally I have developed my leadership skills and most recently, with my position as off campus officer, I have grown my skills in fundraising and grant writing.

Who is the organization open to? How can interested students get involved or become trip leaders?

Michael: Any Drexel student, undergraduate or graduate, can buy a ticket and come on any trip! We hold ticket sales for each trip that you can find out about on DragonLink, Facebook, Instagram or our email list. Our Trip Leaders run all of our trips. We select trip leaders based on an application and interview process. Contact drexelweekendwarriors@gmail.com for more information. All students who love the outdoors and want to share it with others are encouraged to apply!

Visit the Weekend Warriors on DragonLink to learn more about upcoming trips!