Outdoor Adventures First-Year Trips are peer-led, adventure-based experiences that prepare students for life at UM. Trips offer participants diverse opportunities to meet other first-year students, learn about themselves, and connect with UM. First-Year Trips are four (4) day wilderness adventures in groups of 10 participants led by upper-class student trip leaders from Outdoor Adventures.
Pre-orientation trips are designed for beginners, no experience is necessary.
All First-Year Trips will start and conclude at Knoxville McGhee Tyson Airport. Staff will be on-site the day before assisting with early arrivals. Staff will also be on-site through the day after to assist participants with delays. We will also distribute the phone number for the professional staff on-call supporting these trips with other pre-trip details this summer.
The below list is subject to change in the weeks prior to the trips as specifics are finalized based on weather, group size, and trail conditions. Personal gear is allowed subject to approval from the Outdoor Adventures team. Please communicate with us prior to the arrival of the trip if you plan on bringing your own gear. Outdoor Adventures tents must be used.
10 participants and two (2) student leaders.
First-year students will learn and grow in the following areas throughout and after their trips: