You should go on this trip if you like adventure, you’re not afraid of getting wet, and you want to meet other first- year students who enjoy the outdoors and sleeping in tents riverside without the conveniences of modern bathroom facilities. This trip is a fantastic way to see the Adirondacks and get connected with classmates. The trip begins as you float down class III rapids on day one, followed by your choice of either hiking or fishing on day two. The third day will continue with more whitewater rafting, and riding rail bikes back. During this adventure, you’ll become an integral part of a team that must work collaboratively to overcome challenges such as lighting a fire, cooking meals, and transporting gear. 

Capacity = 24 students 

You should go on this trip if you like adventure, you’re not afraid of getting wet, you want to meet other first-year students who enjoy these activities, and you wouldn’t mind sleeping lakeside in a tent or lean-to without modern conveniences. This trip is an excellent way to see the Adirondacks and get connected with classmates. You will begin day one by paddling to your campsite. On day two, you’ll have the choice of either hiking or fishing, and day three will continue with more canoeing. During this adventure, each person becomes an integral part of a team that must work collaboratively to overcome challenges such as lighting a fire, cooking meals, and transporting gear. 

Capacity = 24 students 

You should go on this trip if you like camping but still want a real bathroom, you’re interested in building teamwork and leadership skills, and you want to try to make it to the top of a climbing wall! Your stay at Camp Sloane YMCA will provide a true outdoor experience. You will participate in outdoor adventure-based activities intended to help you get to know your classmates better while developing a support group among your peers. Group problem-solving and communication skills will also be built that will help to further your ambitions as engineers, entrepreneurs, scientists, and in your personal life. During this trip, you’ll live in a 14-foot-by-14-foot canvas wall platform tent with modern bathroom facilities adjacent to each living area. 

Capacity = 97 students 

You should go on this trip if you have an interest in biology, ecology, and the environment, or just like being outside. During this trip, you’ll spend time with Rensselaer faculty and learn about the research they perform. You’ll also be presented with environmentally based team-building activities, all at the foot of the Tongue Mountain Range and the historic Narrows of Lake George. Friendships begin immediately as you plan your meals and choose activities including a nature scavenger hunt, a live rattlesnake demonstration, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, or swimming. You’ll experience all of this while learning environmental and scientific skills including the basic practices of limnology (fresh water science) and aquatic species identification. Lodging accommodations have been arranged in the newly renovated Education Center, which was originally an Adirondack lodge built in 1896. This center offers warmth with beautiful Adirondack décor, a large modern kitchen, and recreation room with full computer media capabilities. The communal nature of your stay at the Darrin Fresh Water Institute will foster long-lasting skills, friendships, and experiences. 

Capacity = 11 students 

You should go on this trip if you like camping but still want a real bathroom, you’re interested in sustainability, planets, and the stars! Your stay at Camp Fowler will include rustic cabin accommodations with your fellow classmates.  Explore outdoor adventure-based activities including guided hiking and boating, campfires, and night sky tours. Free swim will also be available throughout the retreat on beautiful Sacandaga Lake in the Southern Adirondacks region of New York. 

Capacity = 144 students 

GROUP 1 - Wilderness Experience 

You should go on this trip if being immersed in the Adirondack wilderness sounds like a great way to finish your summer, you don’t mind leaving modern conveniences behind for a few days, and you are interested in hiking and exploring. Spend your evenings cooking over a campfire and sharing stories with newfound friends. You’ll stay in classic Adirondack lean-tos with only what you can carry. 

Capacity = 72 students 

GROUP 2 - Cabin Experience 

You will enjoy this option if you wish to stay in cabins and eat meals in the onsite dining hall. Enjoy daytime activities like archery, ropes course, and waterfront. Horseback riding is possible but not guaranteed due to horse availability. 

Capacity = 72 students 

You should go on this trip if you want to make new friends, you want to develop leadership skills, you are comfortable living in a cabin with 12 to 16 of your peers, and you are looking to experience traditional camp activities such as archery, boating, and climbing. During this trip, challenge yourself to try new things, be creative, meet new people, and build life-long relationships. Trip activities include archery, bb gunnery, climbing tower, high ropes, boating, swimming, team-building challenges, and campfires. 

Capacity = 97 students 

You should go on this trip if you like adventure, you’re not afraid of getting dirty, and you want to meet other first-year students who enjoy the outdoors. Camping in tents at a State Park, you will have the conveniences of modern bathroom facilities at the campground. This trip is a fantastic way to see underground caves as well as Thacher Park on the Helderberg Escarpment, one of the richest fossil-bearing formations in the world. Give canoeing or caving a try on day one and try the other on day two. The third day will conclude after a morning hike. During this adventure, you’ll become an integral part of a team that must work collaboratively to overcome challenges such as setting up tents, lighting a fire, preparing group meals, and taking proper care of outdoor equipment. 

Capacity = 11 students 

You should go on this trip if you like adventure, you’re not afraid of getting dirty, and you want to meet other first-year students who enjoy the outdoors. Camping in tents on an island in Lake George (Adirondacks) be prepared to paddle in all your supplies and use a privy (no modern bathroom facilities). This trip is a fantastic way to hike some of the coolest (easy to moderate) mountains in the area, see some gorgeous views, canoe on one of the most popular lakes in the ADKs, and climb some crazy cool routes. During this adventure, you’ll become an integral part of a team that must work collaboratively to overcome challenges such as setting up tents, lighting a fire, preparing group meals, and taking proper care of outdoor equipment. 

Capacity = 11 students 

You should go on this trip if you like adventure, have some experience with hiking and/or bouldering, and you want to meet other first-year students who enjoy the outdoors. Camping in tents at a State Park in Vermont, you’ll have the conveniences of modern bathroom facilities. This trip is a fantastic way to hike some of the coolest (and tallest) mountains of Vermont, see some gorgeous views, and wrestle with some rad boulders. During this adventure, you’ll become an integral part of a team that must work collaboratively to overcome challenges such as setting up tents, lighting a fire, preparing group meals, and taking proper care of outdoor equipment. 

Capacity = 16 students 

You should go on this intro-level trip if you like adventure, you’re not afraid of getting dirty, and you want to meet other first-year students who are new to backpacking. Camping in tents or lean-tos around Pharaoh Lake in the Adirondacks, be prepared to hike in all your supplies and use a privy (no modern bathroom facilities). This trip is a fantastic way to hike some of the coolest (relatively easy) mountains in the area, see some gorgeous views, and embrace the freedom of being completely self-reliant. During this adventure, you’ll become an integral part of a team that must work collaboratively to overcome challenges such as setting up tents, lighting a fire, preparing group meals, and taking proper care of outdoor equipment. 

Capacity = 8 students 

You should go on this trip if you like adventure, you’re not afraid of getting dirty, and you want to meet other first-year students who enjoy paddling on open water. Camping in tents around Little Tupper Lake in the Adirondacks, be prepared to canoe in all your supplies and use a privy (no modern bathroom facilities). This trip is a fantastic way to canoe on one of the Adirondacks’ prized lakes, see gorgeous views, and embrace the freedom of being completely self-reliant. During this adventure, you’ll become an integral part of a team that must work collaboratively to overcome challenges such as setting up tents, lighting a fire, preparing group meals, and paddling together as a group. 

Capacity = 8 students 

You should go on this trip if you like adventure, have previous backpacking experience, and you want to meet other first-year students who enjoy a challenge. Primitive camping in tents in the high peaks region of the Adirondacks, be prepared to hike with all your supplies and dig a cat hole (no modern bathroom facilities). This advanced trip is a fantastic way to hike some of the harder mountains in the Adirondacks, see some gorgeous views, and embrace the freedom of being completely self-reliant. During this adventure, you’ll become an integral part of a team that must work collaboratively to overcome challenges such as setting up tents, lighting a fire, preparing group meals, and taking proper care of outdoor equipment. 

Capacity = 6 students