A Legacy of Adventure and Formation
Since Patrick Zarrick '77 started the Outdoor Adventure Club three decades ago, he has led trips in the U.S. (Missouri, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, West Virginia, Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Iowa, Oregon, Washington, Montana) and internationally (Mexico, Canada, Belize, Italy, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Netherlands, Vatican, France, Belgium, Austria).
A Reflection by Patrick Zarrick '77
After 30 years of leading students on more than 60 outdoor adventures, I will be stepping away from my role with the Outdoor Adventure Club and turning it over to my colleague, Chris Stahl '16. It is something I do with a great deal of gratitude and confidence, knowing the club will be in very capable hands.
There have been countless moments over the years, but one that stands out didn’t involve a summit or a major accomplishment. It came on our first mountain bike trip along the San Juan Hut System — a seven-day ride from Telluride, Colorado to Moab, Utah.
It’s an independent route with no backup or support, and on that first trip, we found ourselves in unfamiliar territory. After a long day of climbing in the heat, we had lost the trail more than once. As daylight began to fade, we reached an intersection with a simple choice: go right or left — knowing the wrong decision could leave us in a difficult situation.
We paused, said a quick prayer, talked it through, and chose to turn left.
Not long after, we found the trail again and began a long descent into Gateway Canyon as twilight settled in. It was one of those moments where everything comes together. We later learned that if we had gone right, we would have spent hours heading in the wrong direction.
That experience has stayed with me. It wasn’t about the distance or the difficulty. It was about being together, making decisions under pressure, relying on one another, and trusting the process. It was about working — and praying — toward a common goal, and watching students push through those internal turning points.
That’s what the Outdoor Adventure Club has always been about.
On these trips, students discover that they’re capable of more than they think. When you take them out of their routines — no phones, no shortcuts, no immediate comforts — they begin to rely on themselves and on each other. They learn how to be uncomfortable, and more importantly, how to move through it. Those lessons stay with them.
At this stage in their lives, they are forming their sense of identity. Real challenge — physical and mental — gives them a chance to test that. Whether it’s a long day on the trail or navigating whitewater, they are learning resilience, decision-making, and trust.
In today’s fast-paced world, students are constantly surrounded by noise and distraction. Opportunities to step away from that are rare. These trips give them that chance — to reconnect with nature, with each other, and with themselves. And while much has changed over the years, at their core our students have not. They still seek connection, purpose, and belonging. When you get them out on a trail or in a raft, all of that noise falls away.
These trips have taught me patience and perspective. No matter how well you plan, something unexpected always happens. You learn to adapt, to trust the process, and to focus on what really matters. Over time, I’ve come to understand that success isn’t defined by everything going perfectly, but by what the students take away from the experience.
There is no greater affirmation than when a parent shares that their son came home changed — that the experience mattered.
I hope my students remember that they were part of something real — something that required effort, trust, and shared experience. Over time, these trips become more than just adventures. They become relationships. I’ve spent countless hours with students in these settings, and those shared experiences create bonds that last well beyond their time at SLUH.
In the end, success is simple. If students leave with a stronger sense of who they are, a deeper connection to others, and the confidence to face challenges ahead, then the trip has done its job.
ALUMNI INVITATION >> As I step away from this role, I look forward to one final opportunity to return to where so many of these memories were formed. From June 22–28, 2026, I will lead a San Juan Hut System trip for SLUH alumni. It will be especially meaningful to share that experience with my two sons, Joe and Christian, who will be joining me on the ride. I invite any alumni who are interested in joining us to reach out to me at pzarrick@sluh.org.
Patrick Zarrick '77 has been a cornerstone of SLUH since 1993, serving in a wide range of roles from teaching Biology, Chemistry and AP Environmental Science to leading as Director of Facilities, Security Director and overseeing Rentals & Reservations. Today, he continues to shape student life by teaching PE, Weightlifting and Yoga while moderating the Outdoor Adventure Club, bringing energy and versatility to everything he does. Outside of SLUH, Zarrick enjoys teaching yoga across St. Louis, mountain and road biking, martial arts, photography and reading. He and his wife Barbra have two sons, Joe and Christian.