Outdoor Adventure TREK

Additional Info

• For Parents

  Are you a parent of an incoming student? The Trek experience is an excellent way to help your them create friendships and feel more prepared for their time at ETSU. Safety is of top concern for you and Outdoor Adventure is committed to providing professional, safety oriented, and highly trained staff for each trip. 
• Eligibility

  TREK is available to incoming freshman and first year students that have been accepted into ETSU. Participation does not require prior experience and is meant for beginners. Participants should be able to walk over moderate terrain while carrying up to 35lbs in a pack. They should be able to function without access to electricity for 6 days or more. They should be able to understand and follow all instructions from Outdoor Adventure Staff. .
  
  
• Staff

  TREK trips are led by highly trained and experienced staff. Each leader goes through a semester of training prior to joining the trip lead team. Each trip also has one or more staff members with wilderness medicine training.

FAQ

• Trip Design

  1. Do I need prior backpacking or canoeing ?
     1. No prior backpacking, canoeing, or rafting experience is needed, nor expected.
  2. How many people are on a trip? 
     1. Each backpacking trip has a maximum of 9 participants and 2 leaders. Each canoe trip has 8 participants and 2 leaders.
  3. What all is provided by Outdoor Adventure?
     1. Outdoor Adventure provides the following: Backpacks, canoes, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, tents, cook gear, food, transportation, leaders, well stocked first-aid kit, and all rafting gear. Additional items are available to borrow including: camps chairs, hiking poles, headlamps, dry bags, and rain gear.
  4. What do I need to bring?
     1. Participants are responsible for personal clothing, toiletries, prescription medications, and personal items such as cameras, notebooks, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc. A full packing list will be provided upon registration completion. Participants are welcome to use any of their own camping gear after approval by trip leaders.
• Restrictions

  1. Can I bring my cell phone?
     1. TREK is a cell phone free experience. Leaders will have cell phones and a satellite communication device with them in the event of an emergency but they remain in the off or airplane mode. Although, many students use their phones as cameras Outdoor Adventure believes that the response to not having a phone far outweighs having one even just for pictures. This is echoed by past TREK participants who have overwhelmingly agreed that the experience should remain cell phone free. Trip leaders will have ability to take photos for the trip.
  2. What else is prohibited?
     1. TREK and all Outdoor Adventure trips are alcohol, drug, weapons, personal music players, and tobacco/e-cig/vape free. Participants found in violation of this policy will be removed from the trip with no refund.
• Food

  1. What will we be eating?
     
     1. Outdoor Adventure will provide all meals during the program. Each trips menu will include filling, healthy, and diverse meals tailored to backpacking and the needs of each group. These meals are constantly updated and tweaked to make them tasty, nutritious, and fun. Most participants report that they tried (and liked!) a new food item on almost every trip.
  2. What if I have a food allergy or a restrictive diet (vegetarian/vegan/gluten free etc.)?
     
     1. Outdoor Adventure has extensive experience with creating well rounded meals for all types of allergies and restrictions. We believe in creating an inclusive environment, even in our food, by having all meals work for everyone on the trip (and not singling participants out with different food) to the best of our ability.
• Health

  1. Will I have access to facilities?
     
     1. Once the trip leaves campus we will not have access to bathrooms or showers until the trip returns to the CPA. Leaders will provide all the necessary training and tips for LNT bathroom practices.
  2. What if I take prescription medications?
     
     1. All prescription medications can be taken on the trail and should be taken in accordance with dosage and timing. Please be sure to indicate the usage of these medications on your health form. Leaders will have a discussion with participants individually about where these medications are and how they are administered. 
  3. What if I might get my period during the trip?
     
     1. This can be a common occurrence when participating in a wilderness trip where diet and activity changes from the norm and can cause the body to behave unexpectedly. Outdoor Adventure will provide participants with a reinforced bag for hygiene products and will have a conversation about this possibility.  
  4. Will Outdoor Adventure have first-aid kits?
     1. Each trip will have at least one leader with wilderness medicine training. They will carry a well stocked first-aid kit geared towards wilderness medicine. It has basic OTC medications as well as supplies to treat most injuries.
• Preparation

  1.  What can I do to get ready for the trip?
     
     1. The best preparation for your trip is basic exercise and a positive mental focus. If you would like additional resources, you can reach out to Outdoor Adventure to speak with a trip leader about how they prepare for a trip.
  2. Where can I get gear for the trip
     1. There are many great local outdoor retailers and consignment stores that will have all the gear that you may need. If you live in the Johnson City area we recommend Mahoney's Outfitters, Hellbender Outfitters, and Appalachian Outpost. If you are shopping online or in other areas you can try these trusted sources: Backcountry, Moosejaw. You can also support small businesses through Garage Grown Gear.