Isabella Hackett
COE Impact Profile: Isabella Hackett ‘26
Cornell Outdoor Education (COE) offers students a unique opportunity to broaden their educational experience beyond the classroom, allowing them to develop essential life skills like leadership, teamwork, and resilience while engaging in outdoor activities.
Immersive experiences, ranging from rock climbing and backpacking to canoeing and skiing, encourage students to step out of their comfort zones, fostering personal growth and confidence. By embracing the natural environment, students enhance their physical fitness and mental well-being, all while forming lasting friendships and a deeper connection to nature.
In her own words, Isabella Hackett ‘26 describes his COE journey to find community, support, and the opportunity to build new skills, enriching his Cornell experience.
Gained confidence through experience
“I started at Cornell Outdoor Education as an incoming freshman participating in Outdoor Odyssey. I had absolutely no outdoor experience and very little confidence about coming to college. From the very first day, my guides welcomed me with open arms. After my trip, I felt so proud of how much I had learned and challenged myself.
“The confidence I built during that trip was so impactful on my first year at Cornell. It pushed me to try new things and seek out what really makes me happy. I am still very close with some of the people from my trip and rely on my guides as important mentors. I got more involved with an Odyssey guide and started teaching PE classes for COE. The more people I met through COE, the more I learned what an actual sense of community is like; I couldn't believe that there were so many wonderful people who truly believed in my ability to take on any challenge. Many people at COE like to say that our programs “happen in the outdoors,” which is awesome, but they're not totally about the outdoors. They're also about helping people grow and realize their potential as leaders, which is my favorite part of being a coordinator for Odyssey.
“If I could give any advice to students interested in COE and/or Odyssey, it would just be to come as you are. Whether you've yet to go on a hike or you've base camped at Mount Everest, there are so many things you will learn at COE. If you've ever wanted a place where everyone is excited to meet you, everyone has a crazy story to tell or a fun game to play, and everyone truly cares about how you're doing - we're here! There is a place for you at COE, and we can't wait until you are here. Seriously, everyone has the coolest stories. Especially Mark Holton. The conversation is never dull at COE.”
Hopes, excitements, and worries
“This April, I had the pleasure of leading an April Training trip with my co-coordinator. On April Training, a few returning guides and a small group of new Odyssey guides embark on a one-night backpacking trip to practice technical skills and bond. I was not originally planning to be a facilitator for this trip but jumped on at the last minute. As a coordinator, it's easy to get disconnected from the purpose of Odyssey if you're not intentional enough about taking a step back from the administration and logistics. This April Training trip was a perfect reminder of everything I love about Odyssey. After facilitating many trainings earlier in the semester, I was so impressed watching the new guides put all of their skills to work! We sat around the fire talking about their hopes, excitements, and worries for their trips in August.
“I felt so lucky to connect with them on such a deeper level and provide them all of my best guiding advice. It was also a great chance to bond with my co-coordinator, Andrew Estes, who had just recently taken the position. He had the brilliant idea to bring an inflatable unicorn and stage it as the "lost tripper" during a drill. It was so much fun! I went home feeling so much closer to the new guides, my co-coordinator, and the spirit of Odyssey.”