“My Experience on the Ohio River Way Challenge”
By: Ava McFall— Sophomore at The Ohio State University
This past May, I had the opportunity and privilege to be part of the 2025 Ohio River Way Challenge. Over the course of 11 days, I paddled 280 miles down the Ohio River in a 30-foot voyager canoe with a group of strangers—people who would soon become much more. We were united by a shared mission: to support the growth of tourism, conservation, and outdoor recreation along the Ohio River.
The trip was organized by the Ohio River Way, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people find adventure, cultivate care for land and water, and revitalize the economies of Ohio River communities by promoting safe, healthy outdoor recreation, education, and tourism. As an aspiring Hospitality Management student hoping to work in Outdoor Recreation, I never expected to find my place—or my passion—right in the heart of the American Midwest. I’m so grateful to have been proven wrong.
Ava McFall paddling on the Ohio River Way Challenge
I first heard about the Ohio River Way Challenge through my job at The Ohio State University Outdoor Adventure Center. After trying (unsuccessfully) to find a friend to join me, I eventually committed to the trip solo, driving to Ashland without knowing a single other participant. Almost immediately, I realized I was the youngest person there by at least four years. But age, background, geography, and even political views faded into irrelevance. What connected us ran deeper: a shared love for the outdoors and a commitment to something larger than ourselves. Before long, these strangers became friends, mentors, and kindred spirits.
Each day brought new challenges and joys, starting with a 4:30 AM alarm and a now-cherished morning routine: wake up, thank God for the gift of a new day, freshen up, pack, lifejacket on, deep breath. Our crew bonded over early coffee, sleepy “good mornings,” and group stretches. There’s a quiet beauty in waking up with the world—one I still haven’t been able to replicate since coming home.
We spent roughly seven hours a day on the river. It was a time filled with silence and song, art and play, weathering storms and soaking up sunshine. We read aloud, danced, painted, shared snacks, and had long, meaningful conversations. Yes, there were sore muscles and muddy shoes, but also laughter, learning, and companionship that reminded me of the richness of real, human connection.
Those conversations didn’t end on the water. They continued at locks, over dinner, on truck rides, walks, rainy porches, and around the campfire. These moments of authentic in-person connection were especially powerful in a world that often relies too heavily on digital communication. I learned to listen deeply and to pay attention, skills that would become unexpectedly valuable as we docked in various river communities.
As we met local hospitality and tourism professionals, I was frequently introduced as “the student” interested in the field. But before I could speak, others would speak for me with warmth, encouragement, and pride. These connections opened doors to industry leaders, state representatives, city mayors, and media. I started with a Facebook Live Q&A, and by the end, I was sharing my story on camera and in front of large crowds. The Ohio River Way not only gave me space to grow, it celebrated that growth every step of the way.
Of course, the journey wasn’t all work. Some of my fondest memories came after long days of paddling: line dancing under a bridge, card games, darts, riverside runs, morning yoga, and swimming in the Ohio River at dawn, midday, and even under the stars. We laughed over campfires, sipped coffee at sunrise, and cherished the sweetness of simple joys, like a cookie left in the front seat of a U-HAUL.
Loving others comes naturally to me—offering help, giving blankets, cleaning muddy gear, and waiting to eat until everyone has food. It's why I chose a career rooted in service. What’s harder is accepting love in return. But over the course of this trip, I had to. In moments of exhaustion, frustration, grief, or physical discomfort, the care I received was overwhelming: pep talks, shared snacks, quiet companionship, and heartfelt hugs. These people saw me, supported me, and loved me, and I learned more about how to receive that love.
Ohio River Way Challenge participants in a voyager canoe
The 2025 Ohio River Way Challenge was so much more than a paddling trip. It was a transformative experience that deepened my understanding of community, challenged my perceptions of where opportunity lies, and affirmed my path in the hospitality and outdoor recreation industry. I honestly don’t know what I came in hoping to find; but, I left having found a community, a deeper understanding of our natural world, a professional network, and a version of myself that is stronger, more confident, and more open to both giving and receiving. The river taught me many things—but above all, it reminded me that the most powerful journeys begin when we say yes, even when we don’t know where the current might take us.
