Outdoor Experience
Start Your Westminster Experience with the Outdoor Program
Explore the outdoors with other first-year students as you start your transition to college. The trips in the Outdoor Experience pre-orientation program occur before New Student Orientation, which begins on August 18, 2024.
Westminster's Outdoor Experience program is designed to facilitate a more positive transition to college through:
- Building community and meaningful relationships with peers and mentors
- Providing opportunity for reflection, processing, and intention-setting
- Drawing parallels from the trip to college to serve as reference points
- Connecting new students to nature and the Outdoor Program
What Participants Have to Say
“It was a great opportunity to try something new (rock climbing) while getting to know my peers and de-stressing from the daunting approach of school. I felt included and encouraged, and it made me want to spend more time in the outdoors.” – 2023 Participant
“Coming back to campus and feeling like I already have a community has been amazing." – 2021 Participant
“I was able to live slowly, be close to community, and to nature.” A.G. – 2020 participant
“I learned a lot about Westminster from the leaders, got a cool introduction to Utah and activities to do here, and I got to meet amazing people.” L.H. – 2019 participant
“All of the new experiences helped me build more character and confidence in myself.” S.P. – 2019 participant
Trip Options
All 2024 trips will take place in Utah’s stunning Uinta Mountains and are for incoming first-year students only. No experience is necessary, and the Outdoor Program can provide any equipment you need to borrow. If the trip fee is a barrier to your participation, inquire about the Participation Fund at outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu.
Registration for all trips opens May 15th, 2024 at 9 a.m.
Rock Climbing and Exploration
Hike, rock climb, explore, return to camp, and repeat! Participants will be base-camping with great access to rock climbing, hiking, and alpine lakes and streams. On this trip you will start off your experience with an afternoon of hiking and exploration to take in some views, and potentially swim in a lake. The remaining two days will be spent rock climbing and exploring around camp.
Cost: $405- includes all transportation, equipment, food, camping, and instruction from Tuesday, August 13th through when the trip returns to campus. This trip will accommodate folks who need to be back on campus in time for Honors or International Student orientation beginning on Friday, August 16th.
Dates: August 13–16
Alpine Backpacking
Trek through beautiful terrain in the High Uintas Wilderness. The Uintas are home to the highest terrain in Utah, including King's Peak which stands at 13,527ft. The Uintas offer ample opportunities to see wildlife and spend time above treeline with spectacular vistas. Participants are likely to backpack 5-10 miles per day and occasionally experience significant elevation gains. Participants should also be prepared to carry a backpack weighing ~40lbs and hike & camp at altitudes above 8,000ft.
Cost: $405 - includes all transportation, equipment, food, camping, and instruction from Tuesday, August 13th through when the trip returns to campus. This trip will accommodate folks who need to be back on campus in time for Honors or International Student orientation beginning on Friday, August 16th.
Dates: August 13–16
Multi-Sport Adventure
Hike, paddleboard, Climb! Participants will be base-camping and learning from talented student and alumni trip leaders while enjoying spending time in some of the Uintas’ most scenic spots.
Cost: $405 - includes all transportation, equipment, food, camping, and instruction from Tuesday, August 13th through when the trip returns to campus. This trip can accommodate students who need to return to campus for Honors or International Student orientation beginning on Friday, August 16th.
Dates: August 13–16
First Scholars and STEPS Summer Bridge Program Trip
Camp, hike, paddleboard, and explore! Participants will be base-camping with great access to hiking, stand-up paddleboarding and swimming. Get ready for some amazing time together under the stars by the campfire. For First Scholars students only - visit westminstercollege.edu/student-life/student-diversity-and-inclusion-center/first-scholars-program to learn more. The cost for this trip is included with the First Scholars program and this trip can accommodate students who need to return to campus for Honors or International Student orientation beginning on Friday, August 16th.
Dates: August 13–15
First Scholars Outdoor Experience Equipment List
Arriving on Campus
- Outdoor Experience participants can check in to their residence halls on Monday, August 12.
- When you get to campus, you will check in with Residence Life from 10am to 2pm.
- They will set you up with your keys and student ID.
- After you check in with Residence Life, come to the Outdoor Program in the Eccles Health, Wellness, and Athletic Center, number 12 on this map. There is an exterior entrance to the Outdoor Program on the northwest corner of the building.
- Please check in at the Outdoor Program before 3pm. If you need to check in outside of this time frame on Monday, August 12, please email us at outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu and let us know so that we can try to accommodate you.
- There will be no residence hall check-in for the Outdoor Experience on Tuesday, August 13.
- There is no official programming on Monday, August 12– those who arrive on Monday, August 12 are on their own for food and activities that day but we can give you some ideas of things to do!
- The Outdoor Program will provide airport shuttles periodically throughout the day on Monday, August 12. If you need a shuttle, send your flight number and arrival time to outdoorprogram@westminsteru.edu.
- If you email us to tell us you need a shuttle, we will respond with instructions on how and when to find us at the airport.
- If your flight is delayed, or getting your bags takes a while, don’t worry—you can catch the next shuttle. If at all possible, please call us at 801.832.2859 to let us know about delays. If we don't hear from you, we will wait for you. Don’t stress if it takes you a few extra minutes to get your bag; we'll wait for about 15 minutes after the arranged pickup time if we don't see you.
Trip Departure
- Outdoor Experience officially starts at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, August 13. Please come to the Outdoor Program (northwest corner of the Eccles Health, Wellness, and Athletic Center - number 12 on the campus map) with all of your trip gear packed and ready to go. You can come directly to the Outdoor Program door, which is on the northwest corner of the building.
- You’ll leave your gear with us and then head over to the welcome and breakfast.
- Trips will divide into groups, meet, and take care of equipment needs. If you are borrowing equipment for the trips from the Outdoor Program, this is when you’ll get the gear.
- All trips will load up and depart around noon.
- Box lunches will be provided as you depart.
Cancellations
Refunds are based on when you cancel your trip:
- Before the registration deadline of July 26: full refund
- After July 26 but before August 2: 50% refund. The 50% that the Outdoor Program keeps will be available to apply towards future Outdoor Program trips.
- After August 2: No refund. 50% of the trip fee will be available to apply towards future Outdoor Program trips.
Evacuations
If a participant needs to leave the trip for a policy violation either on or off campus,
that participant is responsible for the cost of evacuation. If a participant needs
to be evacuated for other reasons, responsibility for the cost of evacuation will
be assigned on a case-by-case basis depending on location, logistics, and cost.
Each trip has emergency communication that they can use to access help should they
need it. Most trips will be out of cellular phone coverage and will not be able to
receive incoming messages or calls.