Undergraduate brothers, alumni and CAB members from the Pennsylvania Beta Chapter at Gettysburg College have made it a tradition to embark on team-focused wilderness expeditions after graduation weekend. Partnering with the Gettysburg Recreation Adventure Board (GRAB), a student run organization that facilitates wilderness, challenge course and leadership programs on campus, the Pennsylvania Beta Brotherhood has traveled to the Desolation Wilderness in the Sierra Nevadas (2014) and the Presidential Range of New Hampshire’s White Mountains (2016) for week-long backpacking trips specifically designed for those sharing the bond of Phi Delta Theta.

The goals of these annual expeditions have been to strengthen the leadership, team cohesion, and communication skills of the Pennsylvania Beta Brotherhood. The expeditions also aim to build confidence through competence in backcountry skills and to practice adaptability and composure in stressful situations. Working as a team to plan, raise funds, and implement self-sufficient wilderness experiences has been an awesome opportunity for Pennsylvania Beta Phis.

The trips have proved to be successful in bringing undergraduates and alumni together and providing a challenging environment of personal and team development.

Brothers and GRAB Facilitators Matthew Lefler (’14), David Engel (’16) and Ryan Kizielewicz (’18) have been responsible for organizing and facilitating the expeditions. Each expedition has been composed of 12+ brothers. The chapter has made this an annual tradition and will be partnering again with GRAB to lead another trip this summer.