RECognition: Galvin Fickes, Outback Adventures

Welcome to the first installment of our new RECognition series in which we're celebrating our amazing Recreation staff. Each month, we'll select a few students from a different area of REC to profile and share their stories. For September, we're shining a light on three of our fabulous student staff members from Outback Adventures!

By Shawn Cyr

If she could have one superpower, it would be teleportation. No questions asked, says Galvin Fickes.

“I love traveling and going on adventures, and being able to teleport would make exploring new places so much easier!” she says.

Perhaps that’s not a surprise, as Galvin is a secondary guide for Outback Adventures and has found her footing in the outdoors here at UCSD. Now that she’s completed the Outdoor Leadership Certificate program, she leads both day and overnight outdoor trips, including hikes, climbing, kayaking, and camping excursions. In August, she even guided a Wilderness Orientation trip, which brought things full circle for her.

“I decided to work for REC for the chance to continue engaging in activities I love while also expanding my knowledge of the outdoors,” she says. “My own Wilderness Orientation trip as a freshman was an amazing experience, and the welcoming and fun Outback guides had a big impact on me. It was a community I really could envision myself joining.”

Outback Education Director Simon Teale is glad she did.

“Galvin is thoughtful, humble, and has a strong desire to learn and get feedback to help her become an excellent Outdoor leader,” Simon says.

A second-year computer science major (2027) and member of the Women in Computing club, Galvin also now works for Recreation Experience at the front desks of both RIMAC and Main Gym.

“My favorite part of working at REC is the opportunities I get to meet new people,” she says. “I’ve had the privilege of connecting with students from all over the country and around the world.”

Her favorite trip — thus far, anyway — was to Bahia, Mexico, in June for sea kayaking with some fellow Outback guides.

"We camped on the waterfront, on a new beach each night, enjoyed seeing incredible views and wildlife, and learned a lot about water safety,” she says. “While challenging at times, it was a super fun and unforgettable experience.” 

Aside from her REC responsibilities, Galvin spends her free time playing with both the UCSD Womxn’s Ultimate team and the Sand Diego Beach Volleyball Club. She’s also passionate about rock climbing, having started in high school and expanding her skillset here on campus at the Outback Climbing Center (OCC).

But when she needs to relax — or study — she heads to Scripps Pier.

“Whether I am studying on one of the picnic tables or just hanging out on the sand with some friends, I always try to find time to go down to the beach,” she says.