Outdoor & Place-Based Experiences

New Adventures: First-Year Outdoor Orientation Programs

Going to college is an adventure, so why not start it that way? New Adventures is Ohio University's outdoor orientation program for incoming first-year students, and it's the perfect way to ensure you begin your college experience with friends, mentors, and an adventure experience on your side.

Outdoor Pursuits and Signature Academic Experiences partner to offer this OHIO Signature Program, which offers incoming students the chance to participate in an outdoor orientation program during the summer before your first semester of college. Choose from backpacking, rock climbing, or canoeing, while camping in scenic wilderness areas as you build a tight-knit community with the other incoming students adventuring alongside you. All the while, you'll gain the skills you need to succeed in your first year at OHIO.

From Grayson Highlands, Virginia, to the Red River Gorge in Kentucky, along the Appalachian Trail in Virginia, to the Boundary Waters of Minnesota. Choose from one of our four New Adventures trips to register for and start your new adventure!

2025 New Adventures Outdoor Orientation Trips

Grayson Highlands, Virginia: Backpacking Trip

Grayson Highlands features extraordinary recreational opportunities on and around the Appalachian trail within Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia. This trip is perfect for students who are interested in getting into backpacking but want to ease into it, or for those who may not have the time to join us on a longer backpacking trip. Grayson offers sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, abundant birds and wildflowers, and even the chance to see wild ponies! The Highlands sit at a higher elevation offering cool temperatures throughout the month of June and July, making it the perfect summer backpacking destination.   

• Program Dates: June 26th – 29th, 2025
• Trip Cost: $150

Appalachian Trail, Virginia: Backpacking Trip

The Appalachian Trail is the crowned jewel of long-distance hiking in the United States.

The Appalachian Trail traverses the scenic lands of the Appalachian Mountains. On these trips, participants will get to experience 4-days of backpacking and camping in a section of historic trail along the Virginia portion of the Appalachian Trail. Virginia has the distinction of having more miles of the A.T. than any other state—nearly a quarter of the Trail’s entire length. From incredible views of the rolling mountains, wildlife, and more. This trip is perfect for students who would like a little bit more challenge with backpacking given that the trail has some elevation and slightly longer milage than the Grayson Highlands trip.

• Program Dates: July 16th – 20th, 2025
• Trip Cost: $250

Red River Gorge, Kentucky: Rock Climbing/Basecamp Trip

The Red River Gorge, known as ‘The Red’ is a unique and scenic natural area in the Daniel Boone Natural Forest of Kentucky. Known for its spectacular sandstone, abundant natural stone arches, and unusual rock formations. We will head to the “Red” to explore the area, learn the basics of outdoor rock climbing and building your skills with our staff in several incredible climbing areas, spend our evenings camping under the stars and finish our trip by visiting the world-famous Miguel's Rock-Climbing Shop. Prior climbing experience is not necessary, and we encourage all levels to participate – we’ll provide introductory and more advanced instruction as needed.

Resident Hall Move-in

Participants on this trip have the option to store the belongings they plan to move into their residence hall in a locked climate-controlled storage unit in Walter Field house. Trip Leaders and participants will assist with the move-in process when you return to campus!

• Program Dates: August 18th – 21st, 2025
• Trip Cost: $250

Boundary Waters, Minnesota: Canoe Trip

On our Boundary Waters Canoe trip, students will experience one of the most pristine wilderness recreation areas in America. Each day, on this extended canoe trip, you will explore the North Woods as you canoe and portage your way to different backcountry campsites nestled on lakeside islands and along the shores. Though still accessible to beginner adventurers, this is our more challenging trip regarding trip length and the immersive backcountry style of the program.

Resident Hall Move-in

Participants on this trip have the option to store the belongings they plan to move into their residence hall in a locked climate-controlled storage unit in Walter Field house. Trip Leaders and participants will assist with the move-in process when you return to campus!

• Program Dates: August 10th – 21st, 2025
• Trip Cost: $500

To Register For A New Adventures Trip:

To register for a New Adventures trip, use the following link on Campus Recreation’s RecShop page and select the program of your choice: RecShop.ohio.edu .  Create a community account if your OHIO sign in does not allow you to register.

*General registration closes two weeks before the first day of a given trip. Please note that the prices in RecShop reflect the subsidized program costs through the Office of Signature Academic Experiences to make New Adventures as accessible as possible to all incoming first-year students.