First Year Trips

Overview

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.

• Smoky Mountain Backpacking
• Travel Information

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.

• Clothes

  • 3 synthetic or polyester/nylon shirts for hiking (please no cotton)
  • 2 pairs of pants or shorts made of synthetic materials or polyester/nylon
  • Light weight soft shell jacket made of synthetic materials or polyester/nylon (e.g. fleece) 
  • Additional layer for cooler weather (i.e. lightweight puffy, long sleeve shirts, flannel shirts.)
  • 5 pairs of non-cotton socks (thin wool or synthetic materials)
  • 5 pairs of non-cotton underwear/undergarments
  • Hiking shoes or boots (please be sure to wear them for at least 10 hours prior to the trip)
  • Rain jacket
  • Synthetic, fleece, wool beanie (may also bring a baseball style hat in addition)
  • Travel shoes

• Travel Clothes

  • Clean set of clothes for departure flight from Knoxville
  • Clothes for traveling to Knoxville
  • Shoes for traveling
    • We recommend something that can also be packed down into the backpack and used as a shoe in camp. This allows your feet to take a break from your hiking shoes in the evenings. This is usually a sandal.

• Toiletries

  • Unscented, alcohol-based gel hand sanitizer
  • Travel size toothpaste
  • Toothbrush
  • Floss
  • Hairbrush/comb
  • Soap (environmentally friendly) – (e.g. Dr. Bronner’s or Kirk’s Original Bar Soap)
    • There will not be showers on the trail and any bathing will be in streams or lakes.
  • Unscented moist towelettes or baby wipes
  • A menstrual cup (if necessary) or feminine hygiene products and a sealable plastic bag to carry them out.
  • Microfiber towel
  • Bandana or washcloth (can be cotton)

• Miscellaneous

  • Sunscreen
  • Bug spray
  • Sunglasses
  • Kula cloth
  • Small journal with pencil
  • Baseball hat or visor

• Camping & Backpacking Gear

  • Backpack (minimum 65 liters)* 
  • Two (2) water bottles 20 ounces or larger*
    • Please no heavy metal water bottles (i.e. HydroFlask, Yeti, etc.)
  • Headlamp*
  • Plate, cup, bowl, spork*
  • Sleeping bag (rated 32-45 degrees F)*
  • Sleeping pad*

• Outdoor Adventures Provides (in addition to items with * as needed)

  • Four (4) person tents
  • Tent ground trap
  • Stove & fuel
  • Pots & pans
  • Food after trip start through trip conclusion

• How many people are on each trip?

  10 participants and two (2) student leaders.

• How do I register for trips?

  Register online at wellness.miami.edu (scroll down and click on Summer Outdoor Adventure Pre-Orientation Trips).

• How do I pay for my trip or am I billed?

  You will pay for your trip via credit card at the time of registration.

• Are there any items that are prohibited on Outdoor Adventure Pre-Orientation Trips?

  Yes. Outdoor Adventure Pre-Orientation Trips are drug, alcohol, weapons, and tobacco-free/e-cigs/ vape-free environments.  Generally, you should not bring anything not included on the Gear List. Any students in violation of these rules may be removed from the program with no refund and be subject to Student Conduct violations.

• Do I need to provide my own meals?

  No. All meals and snacks will be provided as soon as your program begins. However, if you would like to bring a small amount of non-perishable personal snacks, you are welcome.

• There are going to be bathrooms and showers right?

  Unlikely in the form many of us are used to. There will not be showers and there are sporadic bathrooms in the National Park. The bathrooms often do not have running water.

First-year students will learn and grow in the following areas throughout and after their trips:

• Time management
• Social competence
• Intellectual flexibility
• Task leadership
• Emotional control 
• Active initiative