First-Year Experience Pre-Orientation Adventure Trips

These trips combine outdoor activities with a classroom learning experience and are a great way to begin your Westmont experience. Most importantly, you will meet new friends that may last throughout your Westmont career and into the future. Our main goals for each participant are to:

• Ease the transition into college

• Forge lasting relationships with others who share similar interests

• Become a part of the Westmont community

• Enjoy an incredible adventure

• Get an initial taste of the Christian Liberal Arts by diving into a topic with a Westmont faculty or staff

For more information, contact, Kasey Miller, Campus Life Assistant at kasmiller@westmont.edu or (805)-565-6125 

Here are the dates for 2020 and costs:

Backpacking Adventure 

• August 18th - 25th, $900 (7 days & 1 unit of credit)

Santa Barbara Adventure 

• July 27th - August 2nd, $995 (6 days & 1 unit of credit)

Urban Adventure

• August 18th - 25th, $950 (6 days & 1 unit of credit)

What is included?

For all programs where applicable:

• Camping and equipment for outdoor adventures; housing at the Clunie House for Urban adventure
• Three meals per day and all necessary group cooking equipment
• Professionally trained trip leaders, rope facilitators, and hiking/kayak/rock guides
• All kayaking and climbing equipment
• Transportation to and from Westmont for all activities
• Group guidance and team building activities
• All permits, reservations, and entrance fees
• Leaders with Wilderness first aid and CPR training

For Backpacking, Santa Barbara, and Urban Adventure:

• 45 or more days before the trip date- Full refund minus $20 processing fee.

• Between 45 and 15 days before the trip date- 50% refund minus $20 processing fee.

• Less than 15 days before the trip date- no refunds available.

For the Backpacking Adventure, you should plan to arrive at Westmont no later than Tuesday, August 18th at 9am.

For the Santa Barbara Adventure, you should plan to arrive at Westmont no later than Monday, July 27th at 11am. Unfortunately, no transportation will be provided from the Santa Barbara Airport to Westmont. We recommend students take an Uber or Lyft. The trip concludes Sunday afternoon, August 2nd at Westmont College.

For the Urban Adventure, you should plan to arrive at the Westmont in San Francisco Clunie House (301 Lyon Street, San Francisco, CA) on Monday, August 17th between 1pm and 4pm. Unfortunately, no transportation will be provided from the San Francisco Airport to the Clunie House. We recommend students take an Uber or Lyft.

For the Backpacking Adventure, you will be able to store all your move-in boxes and gear until your return. Unfortunately, we cannot provide accommodations for storage or housing prior to your trip departure date. Upon your return on Tuesday, August 25th, you will be able to officially move into your room. You will have Wednesday to get settled and rest and then Orientation will begin on Thursday.

For the Urban Adventure, you will be able to store all your move-in boxes at the Westmont in San Francisco Clunie House. If you need accommodations between the Urban Adventure Trip and Orientation, you will be able to stay at the Clunie House on Monday night for an extra $40, which includes food. Westmont can provide transportation from San Francisco to Westmont College on Tuesday, August 25th and you will be able to move in to your residence hall room upon arriving to Westmont. You will have Wednesday to get settled and rest and then Orientation will begin on Thursday.

On the trip, your leaders will teach you the basic skills you will need to be comfortable while camping, hiking, kayaking and/or rock climbing. For those who are unsure about conditioning for the trail, hesitant about heights, or concerned with an open water kayak experience, a Pre-Orientation Adventure Trip is a wonderful opportunity to challenge yourself while under professional guidance. See the next FAQ for more info. on how to prepare physically for the Backpacking and Santa Barbara adventure trips.

The Backpacking and Santa Barbara Pre-Orientation Adventure Trips are designed for beginner to intermediate skill levels. However, because the Backpacking Adventure is in high altitudes, we encourage everyone to engage in some type of regular physical activity in preparation for the trip in order to maximize comfort. Each activity is “challenge by choice.” Therefore each participant has the opportunity to choose the level at which they participate during their trip.

Contact will not always be easy or even possible during the Backpacking and Santa Barbara Adventures due to the very busy schedule and outdoor nature of our program. An Adventure Programs leader will ensure that an emergency cell phone will always be present. In cases of family emergency we can be contacted at Westmont Orientation (805) 565-6125 or at orientation@westmont.edu

A small amount of spending money will easily get you through the week. There will likely be opportunities to purchase food, drinks or other special treats during longer periods of travel time.

For the Urban Adventure, we recommend bringing $50-$200 of spending money.

Westmont regulations and program policies - which can be found in the Westmont Student Handbook and in the Community Life Statement - do not allow alcohol or drugs on this trip. Anyone violating this NO TOLERANCE policy will be immediately asked to leave the trip and responsible for their own transportation home. Thank you for your cooperation. Any prescription medications must be noted on the health form at the time of registration.

Please note any food/health requirements when filling out the confidential health form. Our staff will take into consideration all food/health requirements for each participant during meal and trip preparation. If you have severe or life threatening medical conditions or food allergies please contact our staff in advance to so that we can discuss your situation.