Registration for NRB Overnights will be announced soon.
Kick off your RPI experience with one of our Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond Overnight Trips! We offer four different types of overnight trips: summer camp-style experiences, small group excursions, peer-led adventures, and a community service focused trip. Check out the details for each below as you start to plan for Fall 2026!
Summer Camp-Style Experiences
Looking for a more structured experience in an outdoor summer camp-style environment? This might be the trip type for you! Hosted at YMCA and private summer camps throughout upstate New York, these trips give you the chance to connect with peers through camp staff facilitated activities, meals cooked in an actual kitchen, and large cabin or tent style sleeping arrangements, all while staying “on the grid” and having access to modern bathroom facilities. These trips are generally larger, with some having up to 100 participants. Fall 2025 summer camp style trips included trips to Camp Fowler, YMCA Camp Sloane, and YMCA Camp Becket.
Small Group Excursions
Interested in connecting with a smaller group while enjoying the outdoors? Consider our small group excursions! These trips allow students to engage with one another and explore activities such as whitewater rafting, hiking and canoeing, or even fresh water science. Sleeping arrangements vary per trip, but include pop-up tents, lean-tos, and lodge style accommodations. Some trips allow for a maximum of 24 participants, while others allow for up to 10. Fall 2025 small group experiences included whitewater rafting, kayaking and hiking with Beaver Brook Outfitters, and exploring at the Jefferson Project Darrin Fresh Water Institute.
Peer-Led Adventures
Want a more “off the grid” adventure? Be sure to look into our peer-led adventures! From mountain biking, hiking beautiful Adirondack trails, canoeing and more, these adventures are led by RPI Outdoor Program trained student leaders. These trips are recommended for those who don’t mind the full outdoor experience, including cooking meals over a camp stove, sleeping in tents, and having little to no access to modern bathroom facilities. Participant numbers for these trips range from 6 to 10 students. Fall 2025 peer-led adventures included a multi-sport adventure at Thacher State Park, backpacking in the Adirondacks and camping and canoeing around Little Tupper Lake.
Community Service Focused Trip
In addition to these experiences, FYE also hosts the Bellardo Community Service Experience. Students selected for this trip participate in community service-based activities and projects. This trip is by application only and students will be selected for this trip by the Office of the First-Year Experience with input from the trip leaders representing RPI Habitat for Humanity. This trip is sponsored by the Patty and Lou Bellardo '67 Fund for the First-Year Experience.
Looking forward to Fall 2026 NRB Overnight Trips? Check back in April of 2026 for finalized trip details and be sure to mark your calendar for NRB registration, which is set to take place on Friday, June 5, 2026. Have questions in the meantime? Reach out to fye@rpi.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost for your trip will be charged to your Fall 2026 Student Bill as "Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond". If cost is a barrier to attending an overnight trip, grants are available for need-based applicants. The grant application will be available when registration opens.
Program Fee Includes:
- Welcome dinner for students and families on arrival day.
- Round-trip transportation from campus to all aspects of your adventure.
- Lodging for the duration of the program.
- All associated meals and program costs.
- All activities are subject to change, weather permitting.
Recommended packing lists for trips will be available in April 2026. Not every trip has an extensive packing list and it is important to consider the activities you will be doing when packing clothes. Most trips will require a sleeping bag and, in some cases, a pad or yoga mat for underneath.
Some of our trip sites require a separate waiver. Completing this prior to arriving on campus is VERY important, especially if you are under 18. Site release forms will be available in April 2026.
Students participating in an NRB Overnight Trip move into campus earlier than students not participating in an NRB Overnight Trip. Dates and details on this will be provided soon.
