The sport of adventure racing is taking Brunswick High School by storm, and is making an impact on the community everyday. Adventure racing is an athletic event in which solos or teams up to 4 people are handed a map and compass and have to find checkpoints in the woods by trekking, biking, and boating. This sport has transformed students at Brunswick High, and is continuously changing the community.

The Full Steam Ahead Adventure Race Club at Brunswick High School has grown exponentially since its founding 3 years ago. The club started with just two members, and has grown to 85, roughly 10% of the school’s student body.  They have a following on Instagram too @bhs_full_steam_ahead. This growth could not have been possible without the tireless work of Brunswick’s very own—Jeremy Johnson. 

Jeremy Johnson is a former deputy sheriff and a current social studies teacher at BHS. An avid racer himself, Johnson had a mission—create the only high school adventure race team in the country.

Johnson had a mission—create the only high school adventure race team in the country.

Jeremy Johnson got into adventure racing in a very unique way. As an avid outdoorist himself, he loves spending time outside, kayaking, cycling, and just exploring the world around him. In a recent interview, Johnson said, “When the pandemic hit, I found myself reconnecting with nature in a deeper way than ever before. I was scrolling through event calendars when I stumbled upon an advertisement for a 24-hour adventure race. At that time, I had recently watched the Amazon series on adventure racing, and something just clicked. As an athlete, I knew I wanted to take on the challenge, but I initially thought a 24-hour race was only for the most elite competitors.” 

Now, instead of going right into the deep end, Johnson decided to sign up for a 6 hour race, just to see how a race ran and to get some training under his belt. However, after his successful race, he went for the 24-hour race, and he was hooked. Just last year, Johnson’s team was ranked in the top 10 in the entire nation. 

The growth of the club, thanks to Johnson’s hard work, has had a profound impact on the students, who now participate in a multitude of events. For example, on election day, 2024, more than 35 students came out to run a three hour race, covering more than 8 miles and 1,000 feet of elevation gain. These students came out to a state park, on their day off, to either run competitively and win, or just have a fun time in the woods. Regardless of your physical abilities, Adventure Racing is a great event for everyone.

Johnson strongly believes that creating a positive teaching environment starts with building strong relationships with students. When asked how it felt to run a short race with a couple students, he replied, “As I saw the impact that adventure racing had on their lives—building confidence, resilience, and teamwork—I realized that many students didn’t have access to the sport due to the high cost of gear and registration. That’s when the idea for a club started to form. I wanted to create an opportunity to teach students the skills needed for adventure racing while promoting healthy habits and encouraging them to get outside and challenge themselves.” 

Racing impacts the students at Brunswick High on a more personal level also. Jared Monge, senior, has been racing for the last three years. When asked about how adventure racing has impacted him, he responded with, “Adventure racing has given me a new passion for something I didn’t know I had passion for. It gives me an outlet to destress and do something I find fun while also being able to be competitive.”

The future of adventure racing is bright at Brunswick. BHS Full Steam Ahead has been partnering with Broad Run Off Road, an adventure racing organization to offer discounts for students interested in running bigger and longer races, outside of school. This partnership has encouraged students to step out of their comfort zones and try something new.  

Broad Run Off Road is very excited to announce that this year’s Fall Foliage Race will be based out of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. There will be a 5 hour and a 13 hour event option, and both events include biking, trekking, and white water rafting. Not only will this be the first ever adventure race to span three different states: West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland, all of the profits from this race will directly benefit Brunswick’s very own Full Steam Ahead Adventure Race Club. With this money, Jeremy Johnson will be able to do even more for the members of this one-of-a-kind club, such as provide a fleet of mountain bikes to practice, as well as provide racers with backpacks and any additional gear that might be needed.  

Like many high school clubs, funding is often a major challenge. This event aims to significantly boost the financial support for Full Steam Ahead.

According to Jeremy Johnson, who helped design this race course, “On October 18th, 2025, Full Steam Ahead at BHS is hosting an adventure race in collaboration with Broad Run Off Road. This race will take you through the beautiful Harpers Ferry and Brunswick areas, offering incredible views and exciting challenges along the way. Whether you’re racing solo or in teams of 2, 3, or 4, this is the perfect opportunity to test your strength, endurance, and teamwork.”

Now, some might be wondering, Is it worth the time and effort to try this new event? What if I’m not good enough? Well, the answer is simple: You never know until you try, and once you try, you’ll be hooked. As Jared Monge said in an interview, “Don’t be afraid to give it a go. It might seem kinda daunting and tough at first but with the right guidance and training you could become very efficient and potentially successful in a race.”  

As Johnson reflects on all of the hard work that went into creating a one of a kind club that changes students’ lives. When asked how the club has grown since its founding, Johnson responded with, “Now, we’re proud to have over 80 members, and it’s been amazing to see the growth and enthusiasm for the sport.”

As Jeremy Johnson looks ahead, he remains committed to fostering a community where students can challenge themselves, form lasting relationships, and discover new passions—both in the woods and in life.