Wilderness Adventure draws big turnout

The pre-orientation program sends incoming freshmen on Adirondack adventures

For six days in August, 193 incoming freshmen cast aside their cell phones, internet service, and comfortable beds to begin their Colgate experience by going on an adventure in one of the nation's largest forest preserves, the Adirondack Park.

The experience was made possible through a pre-orientation program called Wilderness Adventure, which is part of Colgate's Outdoor Education.

Students chose an activity from a list that included canoeing, hiking, and rock climbing. Activities were arranged by difficulty. Those seeking the ultimate test were able to scale a handful of high peaks.

Groups of eight to 12 students were sent to places across the vast mountain region, which is located more than an hour north of the campus. Each group had two leaders to guide the students.

Heidi Riley, Director of Outdoor Education, said Wilderness Adventure is a great program for new Colgate students because it allows them to meet others by taking part in fun activities while building close relationships that may be important for their transition to college.

"Your group of people are the only people you talk to for five or six days," Riley said. "You don't have your phone. You really get to know everyone. You prepare meals together. You share common tasks. You spend a lot of time absent from distractions."

Along with doing a physical activity, students have to face unknown risks, like the weather. And they have to face it together, which enhances the camaraderie.

"You are facing these unknowns together," Riley said. "It helps prepare you to start experiencing unknown risks before you go to college. And it's fun.

"For some people, it doesn't sound like a good idea to get stuck in the rain. But with your leaders, you are in it together, and when you come out of it, it's fun to remember it with a group of people. It's a shared experience you can call back to later."

The leaders who guide the groups are students themselves. They had to complete a nine-month training program involving hands-on practice leading trips while learning risk management strategies, hard skills, teaching techniques, and group development practices.

They also earn a wilderness first responder medical certification, which is the standard seal in the outdoor industry and an above average training standard for university outdoor programs across the nation.

The program's motto is "Learn to teach, teach to learn" and is reflective of the program's philosophy on what it means to be effective, inclusive leaders.

Leaders are trained not for outdoor survival, and to facilitate the experience for students. Outdoor Education has seen a record turnout of students who want to become leaders, but only a fraction are chosen for the program, which requires an enormous commitment.

This year, nearly 25 percent of the incoming class signed up for the outdoor program. Outdoor Education staffers were thrilled with the surge in enrollment after the pandemic nearly bought Wilderness Adventure to a halt.

Amelia Reinholt, a member of the women's lacrosse team from Wayne, Pa., signed up for sea kayaking because she had done the activity before and was excited about camping at night.

Her group of 10 students traveled to Cranberry Lake, and spent most of four days on the water.

"It was a lot of fun," Reinholt said. "Wilderness Adventure kind of eases you into the college experience. You get a couple of days off campus with other first-year students. It makes the transition to college easier."

Joining Reinholt on the sea kayaking trip was lacrosse teammate Ellrose Hanlon of Manlius, N.Y. While familiar with the Adirondacks, Hanlon said it was her first time going sea kayaking, and she loved every moment of it.

"I'm so thankful that I did it," Hanlon said. "Our group leaders were amazing and they helped the students become best friends. I've met some of my closest friends in that group of 10. We clicked right away and the campsites were all beautiful."

Hanlon said she recommends Wilderness Adventure to all in-coming students, especially student-athletes.

"Many athletes I know didn't want to do Wilderness Adventure because they were worried about being sore for preseason, and they wanted to get to know their teammates," Hanlon said. "I was not sore. I think it was so much better to spend a few days in the Adirondacks with others before everyone came to campus. I would totally recommend it for athletes."

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