Do you remember the first time you went camping? Perhaps the words of the Girl Scout promise, or failed attempts at pitching a tent with your family or friends, pop into your head.While most have these vivid outdoor memories, my introductory course in camping came on Sept. 9-11, when I -- along with over 200 women aged 17-67 from across the globe -- flocked to Powder Mountain Resort in Eden, Utah, for the Outessa Summit.The event, which was created in partnership with outdoor gear brand Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI), claimed to be every womans outdoor weekend adventure, and I welcomed the challenge.Here, Ive unapologetically chronicled how I overcame fears, pushed my body to its limits, and learned to appreciate the spoils of nature.Arriving in Eden, UtahOnce on resort grounds, REI staffers welcomed us to our sleeping quarters for the next three nights: personal tents stocked with the brands Big Agnes Ethel Sleeping Bag for women. As a first-timer, I had my doubts that the tent-and-bag combo would keep me warm in the 30-degree weather, so I piled on the layers before zipping myself in.To my surprise, I woke up periodically to peel away the layers. First, the socks. Then the gloves. And eventually, I unzipped the sleeping bag to allow a bit of cool air in. However, the whispers of wildlife and the sound of tents flapping in the wind startled me a few times throughout the night. But this was an adventure, and I was up for a life-changing experience, so I eventually overcame the white noise and embraced the possibilities.Initially, I was apprehensive about the whole outdoor bathroom situation. Which, to my delight, was far more civil than I expected. There were rows of portable restrooms, and a trailer of showers. So, with the posh sleeping bag and potties, to say we were roughing it would be a bit of an exaggeration.Day 1:Morning yogaWe kicked off the first full day at Outessa with an early-morning yoga session. The weather was on the chilly side, so I welcomed any activity that would increase my heart rate and most importantly, warm my body up. ?Our instructor, climber and Ashtanga Vinyasa practitioner Olivia Hsu?started the class with a brief introduction and breathing exercises. Soon after, we were all steadied in the Downward Dog pose. Most of us who began in coats, bubble vests and heavy sweaters shed the layers with each passing movement. By the closing om, I was ready to conquer the rest of the day.Outdoor photography hikeI couldnt leave Eden without a hike through Powder Mountains scenic trails. And if I was going to brag about climbing nearly 9,000 feet, I knew Id need the photos to prove it. REI photo pro Susan Beth Sloan guided our team of nine on a two-hour climb, teaching us how to capture the views along the way. Sloan offered tips on composition, adding depth to photos and working with outdoor lighting when the sun is at its highest. The best part? I walked away with a workout -- plus Instagram-worthy photos. #GoalsHandstands? Oh, yes you can! After a quick bite, the gymnast in me hopped at the opportunity to hang upside down with instructor Traci Dinwiddie. Literally. Dinwiddies technique for getting beginners into a handstand position starts with what she calls a bunny hop. Though Ive done quite a few in my life, I followed her lead, gripping the ground with my fingers spread wide and jumped into the handstand position. Cynic that I am, I wondered if there was a method to what seemed like madness -- how dare one break traditional gymnastics technique.The first principle is always finding the foundation, she explained after the class wrapped. If you open your fingers as widely as possible and claw the ground with the fingertips as well as the finger pads, it takes the weight load out of the inner, outer and center of the wrist. It expands the foundation to the outer edges of your fingertips so that the wrist is really balancing in its socket.?Day 2:Documenting the adventureAt sunrise, I joined photographer Chris Burkard on a hike to photograph world champion mountain biker Rebecca Rusch, Olympic marathoner Magdalena Lewy-Boulet and former competitive ice hockey player-turned-semi-pro runner Aliza Lapierre. Since I didnt quite master the art of action photography, I extended my lesson with Burkard in a more intimate environment -- the classroom. Pen and paper in hand, I took notes on composition, creating timeless images and defining a personal photography style.Of course, when youve got face time with a famed photographer such as Burkard who has racked up nearly 2 million followers on Instagram, you sneak in a few social media questions. PSA: Burkard is not a fan of meaningless quote captions. Give people a visceral experience with your captions, he said. Why are you quoting someone else when you can quote yourself? Instead, share information about the photo that your followers cant see. Duly noted!Lunch is servedNaturally, I worked up an appetite during our hike so I headed back to the Sky Lodge Deck, the meeting grounds where campers and instructors gathered throughout the day to re-energize with snacks, meals, coffee, or even a cold beer or wine. On site was a DIY sandwich buffet complete with all the fixings -- sliced turkey breast, hearty roast beef, potato salad, mixed vegetable chips, and more.Throughout the duration of my trip, we feasted on a variety of healthy offerings, but a quick and delicious sandwich was a convenient go-to. Because our meals were catered, participants werent tasked with cooking over an open fire.?However, we did roast marshmallows, which was a welcomed treat.Mid-day trail run After about an hour on the ElliptiGO (a hybrid of an elliptical machine, treadmill and stationary bike), my legs had about one more activity left in them. However, running wasnt it. Within the first 10 minutes of the three-mile, easy-to-moderate-pace run, I forced the class instructors Adam Chase and Lapierre to lag behind with me as I ricocheted between jogging slowly on flat land and walking uphill. (Lets blame it on the ElliptiGO, shall we? Or the high altitude?) In the end, Chase and Lapierre were incredibly patient and helped me reach the finish line alive. Get this: I turned around and did the entire route again on my way to dinner. Read: will hike for food!?Then my sleeping bag and I got cozy.?Day 3:?Rock climbingIn hopes of ending the weekend on a high note, I decided that Id select an activity that challenged me both mentally and physically. Just hours before my return flight back home to Chicago, I found myself clinging to the side of a mountain with adventure climbers Heidi Wirtz and Quinn Brett cheering me on. I made it to the top of the mountain, combating my fear of heights, and got a great upper-body workout in process. ?Worth It?One word: Absolutely! It was incredibly empowering?to be surrounded by such phenomenal ladies. The instructors welcomed women of all skill levels in each course -- from rock climbing to photography, and prompted a judgement-free environment.Not once did I feel out of place, not even when I lagged behind during my mid-day run. We laughed, cried, formed friendships and encouraged one another to try new things.?The event, which if you purchased a 3-day all access pass (it includes camp-based lodging), cost just under $1,000. That might sound steep; but it was truly a life-changing, self-actualizing ... priceless moment.I went to Utah for my first camping trip and left with a newfound appreciation for outdoor activities that I vow to keep up with at home. (No, seriously -- I promised my husband weekly outdoor cycling dates.) If I werent back at sea level, Id shout from the highest mountain that the Outessa Summit is a game-changer.Lyndsay Green is a Chicago-based style and travel editor and founder of Beauty Atlas magazine, a destination guide for beauty enthusiasts. When shes not in some far-flung destination testing natural face masks or stocking up on foreign beauty products, you can find her brushing up on her tumbling skills in an adult gymnastics class in the Windy City. Cheap Air Jordan 1 China . 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DOVER, Del. -- Tarik Cohen had 221 yards rushing and two touchdowns on just 13 carries, Oluwafemi Bamiro threw for two TDs and North Carolina A&T beat Delaware State 45-14 on Saturday.Marquell Cartwright added 66 yards rushing and two scores for A&T (9-1, 7-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference).Isiah Williams 12-yard touchdown catch capped a nine-play, 80-yard drive by Delaware State (0-10, 0-7) to open the game, but the Aggies scored 28-straight points -- including TD runs by Cohen of 59 and 84 yards -- to blow it open.A 1-yard touchhdown run by Mike Waters capped a seven-play, 94-yard drive and pulled the Hornets within 14 points midway through the third quarter, but Cartwright scored on a 43-yard run to make it 35-14 going into the fourth and his 10-yard TD run capped the scoring with 9:24 to play.ddddddddddddDelaware State held the ball for more than 37 minutes, but committed four turnovers and converted just 3 of 15 third downs. ' ' '