New Adventures

About

New Adventures is Ohio University's adventure orientation program for first-year students! Outdoor Pursuits and Experiential Learning are partnering to offer this OHIO Signature Program. The trips take place during the summer before your first semester of college and allow you to develop leadership skills, see amazing places, and form lasting friendships before you even set foot on campus.

Food, transportation, gear, and instruction are included on all trips. No prior outdoor experience is necessary. Participants will travel in groups of nine, consisting of seven peers and two Ohio University trip leaders. This year, there are 63 spots available spread among three different locations and experiences.

Application Process:
The application is simple: Biographical information and a 500-word essay.
We encourage students to apply to as many trip offerings as they would like. However, selected applicants will only be chosen to participate on one trip based on participant preference and spots available. Applicants will have the opportunity to rank order their trip preference and availability within the application.

 

If selected, you will receive a registration link. Offers will be sent out the week of June 12th. After registering for a trip, information packets will be emailed to you to help you prepare for your New Adventures trip.

See our list of New Adventures FAQs [PDF]. 

Cranberry Wilderness - West Virginia

Activity: Backpacking

Dates: July 14 -July 19

Cost: $40

The Cranberry Wilderness features extraordinary recreational opportunities within the Appalachian region. The Cranberry offers exciting geological features while hiking through the Glades, along the Cranberry River and up Cranberry Mountain. With the challenges of mid-summer heat in mind, the Cranberry Wilderness is the perfect Appalachian adventure as it sits at a higher elevation that offers cool temperatures throughout the month of July.   

Appalachian Trail - Virginia & West Virginia 

Activity: Backpacking & Section Hiking

Dates: July 28 - August 2

Cost: $40

The Appalachian Trail is the crowned jewel of long-distance hiking in the United States. The Appalachian Trail traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Selected participants will experience 30 miles on their weeklong expedition through Virginia and West Virginia.

Boundary Waters - Minnesota 

Activity: Expedition Canoeing

Dates: August 13 - August 24

Cost: $100

The Boundary Waters expedition is the flagship New Adventures experience. Summer 2023 will be the 27th year of this program. Students experience one of the most pristine wilderness recreation areas in the United States by canoe. This is our most challenging trip regarding wilderness navigation and immersive backcountry exploration.  

Refund Policy

Due to the intensive planning and various expenses associated with New Adventures, no refunds will be given for cancellations made within 30 days of the trip date.