A Student’s Adventure in Sustainability During Spring Break

Amanda Williams '27, a psychology and political science major from Simi Valley, California, was looking for something to do over spring break, and when Outdoor and Adventure Recreation offered a spring break trip to Catalina Island focused on camping and a harbor clean-up, she jumped at the chance. For Williams, who grew up camping and has a passion for the outdoors, this was the perfect opportunity to connect with others who also love the outdoors, something she had been unable to do since starting at LMU in fall 2023.

Williams joined 24 participants including students and staff, from Feb. 23-25, to venture via ferry to Catalina Island to camp, hike, and join the 42nd annual Avalon Harbor Underwater Clean-Up. The group camped under the stars about 1.5 miles from the main street/downtown area. Williams had never been to Catalina Island, nor had she done a beach harbor clean-up before, and this outdoor adventure offered opportunities to experience both on one three-day trip. "I don't think that any photo I took could do the actual views justice," said Williams. "It was so beautiful out there, and on the way back, we saw a huge pod of dolphins swimming; it was magical. And the trip really impacted my social life as a first-year LMU student. I was able to make some friends who have similar hobbies. The trip was also so much fun. It was a much-needed break from the rush of school and midterm season."

The Avalon Harbor Underwater Clean-Up is a traditional community effort to protect the health of the kelp forest ecosystems along the coast of Catalina Island. This event is also the only time scuba divers are allowed in Avalon Harbor water and gives local divers the chance to hop in and explore while making a positive impact by collecting debris along the way. Divers and volunteers regularly come together for a day of coastal care and promoting environmental impact on Catalina Island.

During the harbor clean-up, Williams wrote down the weights of the trash bags that divers were bringing up from the water. There were three main clean-up sites on the island: Green Pier, Step Beach, and Casino Point, where LMU students and staff joined volunteers to work during this massive clean-up day. Three LMU students joined the diving team, and they went into the ocean to collect debris with the other 279 divers who came out to Avalon for the day.

"It was so cool to see everyone dive into the water and all the cool stuff they brought out," said Williams. "There were times that it was a little stressful to write down all of the weights, as it got very fast-paced when all the divers were coming out. However, it was very rewarding at the end to see all of the trash that came from the water." The diving team and the community volunteers were able to pull 2,179 pieces of debris for a total of 1,376.27 pounds directly from the harbor and rescue 113 entangled creatures.

Walking also became a theme of the trip for Williams since vehicles are restricted on the island; for most, the main mode of transportation is on foot. It became a highlight and one of the hardest parts of the trip for Williams. It was a highlight on the trip because, during nightfall, she saw two deer on the walk to their campsite and had a bonfire on their first night on Catalina Island. One of the hardest parts was that it meant walking from the clean-up site back to camp or the main street, for which she was grateful she wore supportive shoes. "The walk back to the main camp did have a very nice view but became exhausting after a while," said Williams. "I did enjoy walking, though, and got plenty of steps every day."

Hiking and connecting with other LMU students were the most meaningful parts of the trip for Williams. "I went on a few hikes throughout the weekend and even hiked up to the belltower and was able to see the whole island," said Williams. "On one hike, we were all laughing about the fact that we went the wrong way on the trail, as it led to a bridge with a giant cinder block in front of it, indicating that the small wooden bridge was not the way to go. When we turned back and met with other students, we were informed that we needed to bypass the cinder block and cross the bridge. We were all a little nervous and only went on the bridge two at a time, placing ourselves on opposite sides of the bridge. We all made it across, and it became a fun memory. There also happened to be two abandoned and rusted bathtubs on the trail, and that became a mini photo shoot session." She also was able to connect with other volunteers from the clean-up days and those who lived on the island.

Williams recommended the trip for those students interested in participating in a future outdoor adventure, even if they have little experience camping or being outdoors. "OAR can help provide some of the equipment to make sure you have everything you need for the trip," said Williams. "There were a lot of first-time campers on the trip, and they all had a great time. This trip was a great way to explore, go somewhere new, and enjoy nature. I love being in the heart of the city, but sometimes I forget that we are so close to mountains, islands, and the beach. I've been doing a good amount of city exploring, but I would encourage others to not forget about the great outdoors."