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 with a hike with opportunities for swimming along the way. Day two we will float down Class III rapids. 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, we'll be hiking, 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 learning about the research performed at the Darrin Fresh Water Institute. 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, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, or swimming. You’ll experience all of this while learning 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 

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 7-8 of your peers, and you are looking to experience traditional camp activities such as climbing, archery, and boating. During this trip, challenge yourself to try new things, be creative, meet new people, and build life-long relationships. 

Capacity = 97 students 

You should go on this trip if you like adventure, you’re not afraid of getting dirty, and you like going underground! Join fellow first-year students and explore the area’s best underground caves. Great for beginners and experienced alike, you will be crawling through tight and muddy spaces, walking through a knee-deep water passage, and exploring natural rock formations, fossils, and stalactites. Experience natural features above ground at Thatcher State Park while you hike the Escarpment to waterfalls and lakes. On this trip you will become an integral part of a team, working collaboratively on outdoor skills such as setting up tents, lighting a fire, preparing group meals, and taking proper care of outdoor equipment. Camping in tents, you will have the conveniences of odern bathroom facilities at the campground. 

Capacity = 14 students 

Must be 18+

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! This trip is a fantastic way to hike some of the coolest (and tallest) mountains of Vermont, see gorgeous views, and wrestle with some rad boulders. During this adventure you’ll become an integral part of a team, working collaboratively to overcome challenges such as lighting a fire, preparing group meals, and learning proper crag responsibilities. Camping in tents or lean-tos at a State Park in Vermont, you’ll have the convenience of modern bathroom facilities at the campground.

Capacity = 10 students 

Must be 18+

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

Capacity = 8 students 

Must be 18+

You should go on this trip if you like adventure, have previous biking experience, and you want to meet other first-year students who enjoy a challenge! Join us for three days of adventuring in the beautiful Burke area of Northern Vermont! Mountain biking one of the best trail networks in all of New England, this trip is open to all experience levels. You will also be exploring scenic hiking trails and gorgeous lakes & swimming spots. On this trip you will become an integral part of a team, working collaboratively on outdoor skills such as fundamentals of mountain biking, preparing group meals, and taking proper care of outdoor equipment. Tent camping at the Burke Mountain Campsite, you will have access to modern bathroom facilities at the campground. If you have a mountain bike you are welcome to bring it.

Capacity = 12 students 

Must be 18+

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 

Must be 18+

Students selected for this trip are sponsored by the Patty and Lou Bellardo '67 Fund for the First-Year Experience (FYE). Established in 2006, this fund allows FYE to sponsor community service based activities and projects for students. You should go on this trip if you have a passion for civic engagement and community outreach. You like meeting new friends who share these values and interests. You are excited to learn more about Troy and the Capital District and the needs of our community. You like trying local cuisine and are okay sleeping in a traditional house setting but on an air mattress with 10-15 others in the house sharing 2 traditional bathrooms. Students will be selected for this trip with input from the trip leaders representing Alpha Phi Omega (APO), Circle K International, Habitat for Humanity, and Sole Survivors. Students will be partnered with projects specifically around housing, hunger and homelessness, youth development, animals and social and environmental justice. 

Application is available below. If we are not able to offer you a spot for this trip, you will be offered a spot on Camp Fowler. Thank you for your interest in supporting our local community. 

Interested in the Bellardo Community Service trip? Apply here by June 15. Trip participants will be notified by June 30.