Closeup of a campfire outside
Outdoor & Place-Based Experiences

Outdoor & Place-Based Experiences

Signature Academic Experiences supports student engagement within their academic and career fields. Through framing experiences that support exploration and discovery, students will have a deeper connection to the world of possibilities for OHIO’s Bobcats.

Outdoor & Place-Based Experiences

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    Next Adventure: Sophomore Outdoor Programs


    Sophomores – step into your Next Adventure this spring and spend a Saturday just off campus exploring the Ohio University Outdoor Pursuits challenge course here in Athens! Start your morning off with a series of low-ropes team building initiatives to boost your community and communication skills. Take a break for lunch (pizza is provided!) before you navigate high ropes elements and step onto the new Alphine Skypark. Finish the day with a ride down the zip line - featuring easy access to the entry platform for an exciting 1,000-foot ride across the Ridges landscape, with a slow and soft landing on the other end.

    This challenge course program runs from 10:30am to 3pm

    2026 Spring Next Adventure Challenge Course Days

    April 4th, 2026 
    Sophomore Challenge Course Day
    Register Here
    April 18th, 2026
    Sophomore Challenge Course Day
    Register Here

    Program cost: $15

    Lunch provided!

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    New Adventures: First-Year Outdoor Orientation Programs


    Going to college is an adventure, so why not start it that way? Outdoor Pursuits and Signature Academic Experiences partner to offer this high impact OHIO Signature Program. Choose from backpacking, rock climbing, or a canoeing trip, while camping in scenic wilderness areas. Build a tight-knit community with the other incoming students adventuring alongside you. All the while, you'll gain the skills you need to succeed in your first year at OHIO. 

    New Adventures Orientation trips are open to all incoming first-year students. All gear, transportation, food, equipment, and instruction is provided. No previous outdoor experience is required!

    2026 New Adventures Outdoor Orientation Programs

    June 23rd - June 27th, 2026
    Backpacking & Whitewater Rafting: Laurel Highlands, Pennsylvania 
    July 15th - July 19th, 2026
    Backpacking: Grayson Highlands, Virginia 
    August 9th - August 20th, 2026
    Canoeing: Boundary Waters Minnesota

    Register Here

    Get outside with New Adventures OHIO!