GW TRAiLS

TRAiLS is not a business and does not make any profit on the outings it organizes. The payment directly goes towards transportation, permits, park passes, campgrounds, food, payment for outfitter-based activities, and other costs dependent on the trip. Our costs are lower than the cost to do the same trip individually due to group rates as well as subsidizing costs with University support. If the cost for a trip is a concern for you please see our information about our fee waiver process on our TRAiLS Trips page.

Unfortunately, no. For liability purposes, all participants on an official university-sanctioned trip must travel together in the official university-sanctioned transportation with university certified drivers (our guides).  All TRAiLS trips that require transportation in the D.C. area and outlying vicinity (i.e. within driving distance of campus) must utilize vans either owned or rented by the university. 

Through the sign-up portal you are able to cancel trip registration on your own before the trip cancellation date, which is the Wednesday before the trip date or otherwise listed on the registration page. In order to receive a full refund, you must email [email protected] and clearly state whether you would like a refund to your card or credit on your account for future TRAiLS trips. While most of our trips are fully refundable, certain trips that require advanced planning with an outfitter are nonrefundable (will be noted on the trip sign-up).  

Once a trip becomes full, you can still add yourself to the waiting list. If a spot opens up the first person will automatically be added to the trip and will receive an email to their GW email from "GWU Recreation" notifying that a payment is pending to secure the spot for the trip. At this point you may pay the fee to secure the spot on the trip or cancel your registration if you can no longer attend which will then notify the next person on the list. You will have at least 24 hours from the notification of being off the waitlist to make the payment; if you do not make the payment within the timeframe, your registration will be canceled and your spot will be given up to the next person on the waiting list.

TRAiLS trips run a tight schedule and we typically cannot wait for participants to arrive late.  It is important that you plan ahead and prepare to arrive on time, and the Lead Guide will call you prior to departure in the event of your absence. Your trip leaves at the time noted in the registration and communicated to you from the Lead Guide.  Waiting for one participant to arrive compromises the experience of the entire group. If you oversleep or show up too late to join the trip, you are not eligible for a refund.

Yes, we can lend FREE gear to students, alumni, and University affiliates. We have everything necessary for camping and backpacking trips: tents, tarps, sleeping bags and pads, backpacks, MSR stoves, pots, and pans, etc at no upfront cost. Email [email protected] for rental inquiries.

TRAiLS operates strictly within University lines on risk management. All of our activities are approved by the University for safety. Guides are trained in Wilderness First Aid and CPR. We are prepared with first-aid supplies, information about the nearest medical facilities, and trained extensively in emergency safety procedures. One of the first tenets of safe outdoor recreation is "preparation", so we do everything in our power to be prepared in the face of any incident. It is imperative that participants communicate any allergies, dietary restrictions, medical conditions, and other accommodation needs in the registration process so that we are prepared with information about your needs.

We do not cancel trips for rain unless conditions are unsafe. If we decide that the risk of dangerous (not just rainy or cold) weather in the area is too great, we will notify all participants as soon as possible. If we cancel, everyone will receive a full refund.  If you don't show up because the weather appeared "uncomfortable," you will not be refunded.

We may offer space to non-student participants on trips on an as-requested basis. Please email us if you're interested.

On extended academic-year breaks, such as spring break, we plan extended trips called Adventure Breaks. In the past, we have led winter trips to Costa Rica, and spring trips to the Grand Canyon and the Appalachian Trail. Stay tuned to our upcoming trips page for more information.