RECognition: Daniela Torrey, Outback Adventures
Recreation's monthly series to highlight and celebrate our staff
By Shawn Cyr
Assistant Marketing Director
A lot can change in just a few years.
One minute, you’ve never been camping in your life. Next, you’re leading trips of fellow students to Baja California, Anza Borrego Hot Springs, and more.
Just ask Daniela Torrey.
“Before coming to UCSD and going on my own Wilderness Orientation, I had never actually been properly camping,” Daniela says. “Coming here opened the door to a passion and love for being outside in ways I would never have imagined for myself until I started having new experiences with UCSD Outback Adventures.”
A third-year in Muir College majoring in biological anthropology, Daniela has been with REC since her freshman year in 2022. That’s when she took the Wilderness Orientation trip — a special experience for incoming freshmen and transfer students that introduces them to the Southern California outdoors (and each other) — that changed everything.
“I fell in love with the community from the jump,” says Daniela, an Outback Lead Guide. “I love being able to connect with students whom I otherwise wouldn’t get the chance to meet.”
Outback Adventures has been lucky to have her, as the mood always picks up when she’s around, says Simon Teale, Outdoor Education Director.
“Daniela brings so much fun to any situation,” Teale says. “I’ve never seen her not smiling.”
What makes Danieal smile the most — and the widest — are the trip participants who are social and willing to try new experiences.
“All of my favorite memories I have with Outback surround the participants on our trips,” she says, “Us getting to know each other by the fire or bonding through challenges. I particularly love our Anza Borrego Hot Springs trips, as they are laid-back and create the perfect space for conversations.”
She’s also found community and companionship with her fellow Outback Guides, pointing to one surfing staff trip in Mexico during her freshman year that was a particular highlight.
“The joy and gratitude I felt in the moment was something I will never forget,” Daniela says.
When she’s not on a trip, she can usually be found hanging with friends, running — mainly for fun, but she is “close to being convinced to do a half-marathon in October” — or reading. She recently re-read the “Hunger Games” series after the latest installment’s release.
“I think these are great books with an important message that is very relevant to our current political climate,” she says.
And when it comes to her time with Outback Adventures and UC San Diego, Daniela’s story is still being written. But this chapter is off to a sensational start.
As we know, a lot can change in just a few years.
