In May 2025, I paddled 280 miles down the Ohio River on an 11-day voyager canoe expedition as part of the Ohio River Way Challenge. As a Hospitality Management student studying Outdoor Recreation & Tourism at The Ohio State University, and a facility assistant and climbing instructor at OSU’s Outdoor Adventure Center, I expected this journey to expand my skills in outdoor recreation. What I didn’t expect was how deeply it would reshape my sense of community, purpose, and direction.
This presentation shares the story of that expedition: the rhythm of quiet river mornings, the physical and emotional hurdles, the surprising joy found in small routines, and the powerful conversations that unfolded among a canoe full of strangers who became mentors, friends, and family. It captures the triumphs, the setbacks, and the moments that tested and transformed us along the way.
Participants will gain a window into long-distance paddling, group dynamics, and community-focused leadership, along with the deeper lessons the outdoors teaches: how to listen well, how to accept help, how to serve others, and how transformative it can be to say “yes” before you feel ready.
Bio
Ava McFall is a second-year Hospitality Management student at The Ohio State University, focusing on Outdoor Recreation and Tourism. She works at the OSU Outdoor Adventure Center as a Student Facility Assistant, taking on roles from facility management to clinic instruction, helping fellow students explore and enjoy the outdoors.
Born and raised in Cincinnati in a family more drawn to beaches than mountains, Ava has always been the black sheep with a heart for adventure. She has fully embraced her love for climbing, paddling, and backpacking throughout the Midwest, and even on some national adventures, most recently completing 280 miles down the Ohio River. Her journeys combine her adventurous spirit with a passion for community and connection.
Ava is dedicated to creating inclusive, engaging outdoor experiences and hopes to build a career where hospitality, adventure, and environmental stewardship intersect. She has previously shared her experiences at the Ohio River Basin Confluence Summit as a selected speaker and maintained strong connections within the Outdoor Recreation and Tourism industry. Her path in discovering her love for the outdoors has been shaped by building strong relationships, exploring the wider world around her, and uncovering the incredible opportunities within her Midwestern backyard.