The Calvin Wilderness Orientation Program
The Calvin Wilderness Orientation program is Collaboration between the Student Life Division and the HPERDS Department of Calvin College. Wilderness Orientation is designed to allow incoming first year students to:
- RELATIONSHIPS: Build lasting friendships and initial “Calvin Community” with other first year students!
- ADVENTURE: Share an amazing and memorable adventure experience in a remarkable wilderness setting!
- WILDERENSS SKILLS: Build outdoor proficiency in the areas of backpacking, sea kayaking, rock climbing, and/or cycling (all students will receive their first required credit).
- GROWTH AND GOAL SETTING: Offer time and space for spiritual reflection and goal setting regarding the transition into college life
- “EPIC” EXPEREINCE": Leave the experience knowing that you accomplished something “EPIC” through physical challenge, intentional community living, personal reflection, acquisition of new adventure based skills, and having made meaningful and lasting connections with other incoming Calvin students!
2008 SUMMER WILDERNESS ORIENTATION COURSE OFFERINGS:
WYOMING ROCKIES CLIMBING AND ALPINE BACKPACKING
Grand Teton National Park
Dates: July 6-16 (Group meeting @ Calvin on July 6th @ 6pm)
Cost: $425
Group Size: 16 Students /4 Calvin Instructors
Passport: Passport 2
Credit: 1 PER 138 (Wilderness Pursuits; Life and Leisure Core Requirement)
Description: This adventure begins with a three day rock climbing camp at Vedawou Climbing Area in the Medicine Bow National Forest. Here students will learn safe belay, climbing, and rappelling technique in one of the most unique climbing environments in the country. The climbing camp is followed by a six day “lightweight” alpine backpacking trip through the heart of Grand Teton National Park. Here students will experience North America's most classic backcountry route! Depending on conditions, we may even climb some of the Tetons most famous peaks! During this trip, students will learn the art of “lightweight” backcountry travel that will be enjoyed for a lifetime!
NORTH CHANNEL SEA KAYAKING AND CLIMBING
North Channel of Ontario
Dates: July 19-27 (group meeting @ Calvin on July 19th @ 7pm)
Cost: $300
Group Size: 14 students/4 Calvin Instructors
Passport: Passport 2
Credit: 1 PER 138 (Wilderness Pursuits; Life and Leisure Core Requirement)
Description: On this trip, students will embark together on a seven day self-supported sea kayak paddle through the historic North Channel. Along the way students will camp on granite islands and peninsulas, climb and rappel a rock face that drops 70 feet to the water below, and gain the skills needed to safely travel and live out of their kayak for a week. Most students even learn the “Eskimo role”!
LAKE SUPERIOR BACKCOUNTRY PADDLE AND PACK
Lake Superior Provincial Park
Dates: July 29-August 5 (group meeting @ Calvin on July 29th @ 7pm)
Cost: $325
Group Size: 12 Students/2-3 Calvin Instructors
Passport: Passport 3
Credit: 1 PER 138 (Wilderness Pursuits; Life and Leisure Core Requirement)
Description: Lake Superior Provincial Park is a best kept secret for canoeists, kayakers, and backpackers alike! On this two phase trip, students will begin with a lake to lake paddling route where they will gain skills in kayaking and canoeing. Following the backcountry paddling experience, students will trade in boats for backpacks. The coastal trail will take students along rivers, past waterfalls and cliff faces, and eventually along the Lake Superior coastline. During this trip, students will learn the art of “lightweight” backcountry living and travel skills that will be enjoyed for a lifetime!
NORTHERN MICHIGAN CYCLE AND SEA KAYAK TOUR
Dates: August 26-31 (Housing @ Calvin available the evening of the 25th)
Cost: $175
Group Size: 20 Students
Passport: Passport 4
Credit: 1 PER 138 (Wilderness Pursuits; Life and Leisure Core Requirement)
Description: This six day experience is designed for the adventurer who loves to cycle and interested in learning how to sea kayak. This trip will begin with a day of “paddle school” at Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes National Lakeshore. Over the next four days, students will ride the most beautiful stretch of coastal road in the Great Lakes region. After a morning cycle tour along the Lake Michigan coast, students will have multiple opportunities to enjoy Michigan’s best beaches and “tour” their sea kayaks in Little Traverse Bay and along Wilderness State Parks stretch of islands that separate Sturgeon Bay from the Straights of Mackinaw. This trip utilizes Platte River campground, Barnes County Park, Petoskey State Park, and Wilderness State Park.
1 CREDIT: PER 138 Wilderness Pursuits
All students will receive their first required college credit for successfully completing a Wilderness Orientation trip. Each trip is directed and instructed by a full-time faculty/staff member who specializes in Outdoor Recreation and Experiential Education. Along with gaining comprehensive skills in backcountry travel and living, students will gain specific skill sets in the focused outdoor pursuits around which the trip is built. As a part of the Calvin Core curriculum, students will also spend time discussing and journaling on 1) stewardship, 2) stress management, and 3) goal setting focused on personal wellness and developing lifetime “healthy habits”.
CAREFULLY SELECTED AND HIGHLY TRAINED COURSE INSTRUCTORS:
Each trip is directed by a fulltime faculty/staff member of Calvin College. Along with full time staff, up to 3 highly trained and certified upper class or graduate students will act as trip instructors/leaders. These leaders are selected for their 1) commitment to safety, 2) ability to exercise strong judgment and decision making, 3) their love for working directly with incoming students, and 4) their passion for creating a highly memorable experience in a wilderness context. All staff is highly trained in general wilderness skills and the specific activities that they are leading/instructing. All staff have taken a ten day wilderness medicine course through the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS/WMI), being certified as Wilderness First Responders. All rock climbing sites are supervised by an individual who is a certified Top Rope Site Manager/Guide with the American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA). All paddle instructors have completed an American Canoe Association (ACA) Open Water/Coastal sea kayaking course.
EPIC ROUTES AND SPECTACULAR LOCATIONS:
All locations have been selected based on there unmatched natural beauty, memorable setting, historic significance, environmental appropriateness for the specific outdoor pursuit, and ability to offer a challenging, but not overwhelming wilderness based experience.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
You will apply as part of the e-enroll process by selecting Calvin's Wilderness Orientation Program option. You will be asked for a $200 non-refundable deposit that will be applied to your tuition miscellaneous account if not selected for the trip. Applications will be reviewed by orientation staff and students will be notified within 3 weeks of applying. $100 financial need scholarships are available. All forms should be sent to:
Calvin College
Student Development Office/Wilderness Orientation
3201 Burton SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
For questions regarding enrollment and acceptance into the Wilderness Orientation Program, please contact Rebecca Laarman at 616-526-7003
For info regarding specific trips or questions regarding the “wilderness experience”, please e-mail Ryan Walter-Rooks at rmw3@calvin.edu