Lynde Metzler (’19), Full Circle Fun
The Merriam-Webster dictionary describes the phrase “coming full circle” as "those developments in our lives that lead back to an original source, position, or situation". Lynde Metzler (RPTM 2019) has seen that full circle in her life several times. From undergraduate student to her current role as Group Programs Coordinator for Penn State Outdoor Adventures at Stone Valley Recreation Area, Lynde has come back full circle.
Lynde grew up just 30 miles east of University Park in Mifflin County. “I thought about going somewhere else,” said Lynde. “I then decided to make use of these amazing resources in my backyard. It made sense to go here.”
Lynde arrived as a first-year student intending to major in International Politics and Economics. Shortly after coming to campus, she accepted a job with Penn State’s Outdoor Adventures. As a program facilitator for the challenge course at Stone Valley, Lynde found her passion in helping people to connect with each other. She learned about RPTM as a major through her peers and co-workers with Outdoor Adventures. “I took some classes in RPTM and liked them,” said Lynde. She then changed her major to the commercial recreation option in RPTM. Business and recreation were a perfect fit.
As she continued to balance working with Outdoor Adventures and her academic progression, Lynde sought additional experiences during the summers. “I got experience at several summer camps and gained experience working with a variety of groups of people. I got to travel to some cool places with housing provided.” Lynde worked for camps in Maine and California and continued to build experiences at Penn State leading programs. She also served on the Campus Recreation Advisory Council at Penn State, fostering connections between professional staff and the student body. She turned her part-time job with Outdoor Adventures into her senior internship expanding into the climbing wall, logistics and trip planning, and organizing clinics.
For public school students in Mifflin County, Outdoor School at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center is a rite of passage. The weeklong immersion in the outdoors in the form of a residential camp that takes place during the school year is something the families in the community look forward to from year to year. Lynde not only participated in Outdoor School as a 5th grader but returned as a counselor during her undergraduate years at Penn State. “I still volunteer out there occasionally. It’s really a multi-generational experience. Parents of children who are at Outdoor School participated when they were kids. It was fun to watch my little cousins going there.” Camper to counselor. Full circle.
Graduating from Penn State in the peak of the pandemic was not easy. “I went out to Colorado and got a job as a climbing instructor.” From Colorado, it was on to the Peace Corps where she spent a year in Tonga teaching English and teaching outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship. “I started an outdoor recreation club that included swimming and paddling and exercise for children in the village.”
Careers in the outdoors are often seasonal. Lynde returned to the U.S. at the conclusion of her Peace Corps experience and spent a season as a teacher, Camp Director, and Outdoor Education Instructor at an alternative school. There her focus was on place-based learning, adventure education, and projects. Next it was on to the mountains… and snow. Lots of snow.
“I had never skied before, growing up in Central PA so I thought I would give it a try,” she recalled. She took a job at Bear Valley Resort in California and earned her PSIA-AASI Level I Adaptive Alpine Instructor certification, working with skiers with disabilities including visual impairments. She also completed Avalanche Rescue training. “We had 700 inches of snow that year. The back country house where I lived was sometimes only accessible via snowshoes or sled or ski-mobile. I had to shovel my roof off each day so it wouldn’t cave in. It was scary at times.”
But then came the opportunity to return – full circle – to Penn State. “There were three positions posted in Outdoor Adventures, so I applied. My mentor left and I was able to step back into their role, first as interim and then in the position. I started in May 2023. We are mostly now at Stone Valley instead of the IM building.” She has oversight for the student staff who assist in the delivery of group programs including the challenge course, rentals at the CE lodge, and retreats for both PSU groups and others, as well as trip planning and equipment rental.
Full circle. Those developments in our lives that lead back to an original source, position, or situation.
Lynde is excited to offer students who are interested the opportunity to work for Outdoor Adventures or to complete their internship in the same program where she completed her internship. “My group project in RPTM 433W was about the benefits of continuing education and training for interns and employees in things like retention.” She continued that project into her internship and is proud that monies she raised to support students in attending conferences and certification programs remain in endowment and available to students today. “Interns with Stone Valley get a well-rounded experience in a variety of roles that can transfer to other settings. It’s not always easy work but the training is invaluable.”
Lynde’s advice to students is not surprising given her leadership, passion, and seeking those experiences that help you grow. “Get involved in what you can. Seek leadership opportunities in those areas. Find what makes you thrive.” She stresses the importance of building relationships and looking for opportunities. Lynde Metzler knows that sometimes those opportunities can bring you back – full circle.