Adventure Bound

Adventure Bound is GW's outdoor co-curricular, pre-orientation experience for new, incoming first-year students. Meet fellow students, learn more about life at GW, and build lasting memories in the great outdoors. Each Adventure Bound is led by experienced student guides to help you transition to GW and college life.

"I loved the bonding and friendship that evolved from the shared experiences. Being with everyone and fostering these new connections made it completely worth it."

2019 Participant

Adventure Bound Trips

Adventure Bound programs begin with an orientation and welcome dinner in the evening on Friday, August 19, 2022 and conclude in the afternoon on Tuesday, August 23, 2022. With the exception of Backpacking, all of our trips are open to a variety of skill levels, including those new to outdoor activities.

Trip details are outlined below. Note that some details may change over the course of the summer, but the overall structure and trip style will remain the same.

Two women in kayaks in the Potomac river.

Ready to explore your new city and experience the best of the outdoors locally? New students will stay in their own housing accommodations but gather during the day exploring DC, participating in three outdoor activities and an environmental service opportunity. Outdoor activities include indoor rock climbing, kayaking or paddleboarding on the Potomac River, and hiking in Rock Creek Park. Explore your new home while building relationships with other students in your community.

Program Fee: $185

Sample Itinerary

A group of people surfing and kayaking in the ocean at Virginia Beach.

This trip ventures to Virginia Beach and camps for three nights in First Landing State Park. You’ll go on a kayak tour in the Back Bay and experience a surfing lesson in the great Atlantic Ocean. Keep your eyes open as you may see dolphins in the bay! Spend time on the beach with fellow GW students and spot some wildlife hiking in the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Program Fee: $310

Sample Itinerary

Make a splash in Pennsylvania as you rapidly get acquainted with other GW students. Enjoy traversing the thrill of the Youghiogheny River. After ripping through Class II & III+ rapids whitewater rafting on the Lower Yough, gather around a campfire to enjoy some s’mores and conversation with your new classmates before pitching your tent for the night. The next day take it easy and enjoy a fun trip down the middle Yough on inflatable duckies and shredders (similar to kayaks). You’ll be camping for three nights in the beautiful Ohiopyle State Park.

Program Fee: $360

Sample Itinerary

Four GW students at the top of Harpers Ferry, view of the mountains in the background.

We will be sleeping in tents, cooking our own food, and spending the day hiking and exploring Shenandoah National Park. Experience nature with mountain top summits, waterfalls, and winding trails. This trip spends three nights camping in Mathews Arm Campground or Big Meadows Campground and four days exploring/hiking. Hiking mileage will be about 4 to 9 miles per day. Discover how spending time outdoors can foster personal growth and develop new relationships with your fellow GW students.

Program Fee: $220

Sample Itinerary - Mathews Arm

Sample Itinerary - Big Meadows

View of three people backpacking with their packs with mountains in the distance.

Our backpacking trip features a smaller group experience and includes backpacking about 10 miles a day for four days and three nights in Shenandoah National Park. You will cover about 35 miles venturing into the backcountry throughout the trip, with many beautiful mountain summits. You will be carrying an internal frame pack with about 25 to 35 pounds of clothing, gear, and food. We ask that you have been on a backpacking trip before or have extensive hiking experience for the trip.

Program Fee: $185

Sample Itinerary

of students agreed that they made a new friend on their Adventure Bound trip

of students agreed they gained skills that will help them be successful in college

of people can apply the Leave No Trace skills learned in AB to a future outdoor activity

Program Dates

Adventure Bound programs begin with a trip orientation and welcome dinner in the evening on Friday, August 19, 2022 and conclude in the afternoon on Tuesday, August 23, 2022. GW students interested in attending Adventure Bound must move-in before 4:00 pm on Friday, August 19.

Program Cost

Program fees are dependent on the trip and are outlined above. All program fees will be charged to your student account.

All trips include a welcome dinner on Friday evening, outdoor/program activities, use of shared outdoor gear, transportation, and meals on the trip.*

We do not want program fees to be a barrier to participation. Fee waivers are available for those who express financial need. If you have questions about fee waivers, please reach out to Mallory McPherson-Wehan and Sarah Birmingham.

Registration

Register for an Adventure Bound program here!

If your plans change, you must cancel your registration by July 26, 2022 so that we can open the spot for another incoming student. Refunds will not be issued after this date.

Please note that you can only participate in one co-curricular program. SEAS students, Women’s Leadership Program (WLP), Civic House Scholars, and others with required programming on these program dates are not eligible to participate in Adventure Bound.

Outdoor Gear

Adventure Bound participants will have the opportunity to borrow gear from GW's outdoor gear program. After registering for Adventure Bound participants will be sent a survey that will collect potential gear needs. We will try and match everyone with the gear needed, however, we may not be able to meet all needs. Students may borrow a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and/or an internal frame backpack. We will send out a detailed packing list for each trip later in the summer, but check out a sample packing list from 2019 for an example of items needed.

Questions?

Check out our FAQs below or email Mallory McPherson-Wehan and Sarah Birmingham.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who organizes and leads Adventure Bound?: Adventure Bound is planned by Campus Recreation in the Division for Student Affairs with assistance from our GW TRAiLS student coordinator. We have over 24 trained Trails Guides who lead each trip. Each trip will have guides certified in Wilderness First Aid, CPR, and AED.
Are there any professional outfitters for Adventure Bound?: Yes, for activities such as kayaking, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and surfing we use professional outfitters.
How will I be contacted / updated throughout the summer?: You will be contacted through your GW email account. Please check this account periodically. Not only will we email you, but additional information for your upcoming year will be sent to you throughout the summer.
What if I’m concerned about financing the trip?: If you believe you may be in need of financial assistance to participate in Adventure Bound, we may have fee waivers available to students. For more information, please see above for contact information.