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WO Frequently Asked Questions

 1. WHEN ARE THE WO 2020 TRIPS?

Wilderness Orientation (WO) 2020 is postponed due to COVID-19. We are considering options for offering WO during the 2020-21 school year.

2. WHERE DO I NEED TO GO ON CAMPUS ON THE FIRST DAY?

Find us at the East Field House

3. WHERE CAN I PARK ON CAMPUS?

Both short- and long-term parking options are available near the East Field House.

If you plan to park a car during your WO session:

Please contact our office at least 5 days prior to the start of your WO session to let us know that you'd like to park long-term.

We will then contact the campus Parking office to allow you to park long-term during WO. 

When you arrive on campus, prior to arriving at the East Field House, stop by a TAPS office to pick up your permit. You'll need to provide your drivers license and registration.

4. WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE COST?

  • All meals beginning with dinner on the first day and ending with a continental breakfast on the last day (except one dinner explained in #5 below)
  • Transportation between Santa Cruz and the activity sites
  • All group equipment (i.e. stoves, cook gear, tents or tarps, rock climbing equipment)
  • Instruction provided by a leader, assistant, and a volunteer who was a WO student last year

5. WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE COST?

  • Personal equipment (see the Equipment Lists)
  • Snacks and one meal on the road

6. WHERE ARE WE GOING?

Backpacking:

We will travel by van to the Sierra Nevada mountains for the backpacking sessions, located in California about 6 hours east of Santa Cruz. On each session there will be five groups of 12 students and 3 leaders, each going to a different location in the mountains. All routes are in the ‘High Sierra’ region of the range between the southern border of Yosemite and Sequoia National Park. Exact routes vary. Here are the specific wilderness areas of each route:

Sea Kayaking:

We will travel by van to Point Reyes National Seashore, about three hours north of Santa Cruz. There will be one group of 11 students and three leaders, each session. Within Point Reyes, we will be kayaking on Tomales Bay.

7. WHAT WILL WE BE DOING ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE PROGRAM?

Backpacking:

  • 1pm: Registration begins, snacks and meet and greet time. Session 2 students may move their dorm and school baggage into our storage facility from noon to 1pm.
  • 2pm: Welcome circle, orientation to the program, and divide into small field groups.
  • Instructors check student gear, followed by a hearty dinner.
  • Sleep on campus.
  • 8am the next morning, drive approximately six hours to the trailhead

Sea Kayaking:

  • 1pm: Registration begins, students meet and greet, light snacks provided.
  • 2pm: Welcome circle, orientation to the program, and divide into small field groups.
  • Instructors check student gear, followed by a hearty dinner.
  • Jump in the van and drive three hours to a campground near Point Reyes. Launch on Tomales Bay the next morning.

8. WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THE END OF THE PROGRAM?

Backpacking:

You and your group will drive back from the Sierra Nevada mountains on the last full day of the program, arriving in Santa Cruz that evening. You will likely go out to dinner and then spend the last night on campus with your group. On your final day we will provide a light breakfast and your group will finish with closing ceremonies at about 10am. Please plan to be engaged until this time.

Sea Kayaking:

You and your group will drive back from Pt. Reyes on the last full day of the program, arriving in Santa Cruz that evening. You will likely go out to dinner and then spend the last night on campus with your group. On the final day we will provide a light breakfast and your group will finish with closing ceremonies at about 10 am. Please plan to be engaged until this time. 

9. CAN I STORE EXTRA BELONGINGS?

We will have limited storage available for belongings that you will not be bringing with you on course. 

Students in Session 2 will be able to store all personal belongings that will then be moved directly into your residence halls following the program.

10. HOW DO I GET AROUND WITHOUT A CAR?

The Santa Cruz Metro bus service provides frequent runs through campus, and downtown. It costs $2 per ride or $6 per day (correct change is required). Once school starts your student I.D. works as a bus pass.

11. HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD I BRING?

Bring at least $40. You should only need to spend money on dinner on the way home from the Sierra and possibly snacks on the road, but be prepared to buy and/or rent equipment if we feel yours is inadequate for this trip. Also please bring sufficient money to pay for gear that you may be renting.

12. HOW MIGHT I PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY PREPARE FOR THE TRIP?

Wilderness Orientation is physically challenging.

Backpacking:

You can expect to hike anywhere from 3-10 miles a day at high elevations while carrying all of your belongings (up to 50 lbs.) on your back. Self-sufficiency is one of the joys of backpacking, but it does mean more physical exertion than you may be accustomed to. If you have an open attitude and a readiness to challenge yourself, we have confidence that you will be able to complete the course. You will find that if you are physically fit, you will enjoy the trip that much more. Make a habit of doing strengthening and aerobic exercise a minimum of every other day for several weeks prior to the trip. Running, hiking, biking, and lap swimming are great forms of exercise. If you go on hikes, don't forget to wear your hiking boots to break them in to avoid blisters while on WO.

  • Be mentally prepared for all kinds of weather (i.e. sunshine, rain, snow, cold, etc). We will be in the mountains at the transition of summer turning to fall . . . anything can happen.
  • Be prepared for a group experience. You will have time alone (during the 24 hour solo and at other times), but much of the time will be shared with others. At its best, a group experience requires cooperation, compromise, flexibility and a positive attitude.

Sea Kayaking:

You can expect to kayak anywhere from 3-7 miles a day while paddling with 50 lbs of gear in your kayak. Self sufficiency is one of the joys of multi-day kayaking, but it does mean more physical exertion then you may be accustomed to. This kayak course will be less physically demanding than the backpacking course, but still requires physical fitness. If you have an open attitude and a readiness to challenge yourself, we have confidence that you will be able to complete the course. You will find that if you are physically fit, you will enjoy the trip that much more. Make a habit of doing strengthening and aerobic exercise a minimum of every other day for several weeks prior to the trip. Running, hiking, biking, and lap swimming are great forms of exercise.

  • Be mentally prepared for all kinds of weather (i.e. sunshine, rain, snow, cold, etc). We will be on the bay at the transition of summer turning to fall . . . anything can happen.
  • Be prepared for a group experience. You will have time alone (during the solo and at other times), but much of the time will be shared with others. At its best, a group experience requires cooperation, compromise, flexibility and a positive attitude.

13. DO I NEED PREVIOUS WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE?

No. More important than experience is physical fitness, an open attitude, a willingness to challenge yourself, and a desire to learn from and work with others. All the backcountry skills needed for the course will be taught.

14. WHAT IS THE SOLO EXPERIENCE ALL ABOUT?

Similar to experiencing college for the first time, a wilderness solo is a special and eye-opening experience for most people. You will be in your own small area which gives you privacy from the group. You are expected to remain at your solo site. This experience is not a time to hike or kayak alone. Solo is a time to think about the transition into college, a time to think about leaving home, a time to write in your journal and observe your natural surroundings. You will drink plenty of water during this time but may choose to fast, as it can help minimize distractions, heighten awareness, and be a learning experience about our relationship with food (fasting is not required). You will have all the equipment you need to stay warm, dry, and comfortable. For safety reasons, instructors are camped within whistle-blast distance and are always aware of your location. Many students have found this to be the most meaningful experience of the trip.

15. WHAT HAPPENS IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY?

If a student is injured or needs to be removed from the field for any reason while on course, the staff are trained in evacuation procedures and carry satellite phones at all times. The student will be financially responsible for any medical and/or rescue fees involved.

Alternatively, it is extremely difficult to get in contact with students in the field while they are on course. The administrative staff will only try to reach a student in the field if there is an extreme emergency.

16. ALCOHOL, DRUGS, TOBACCO?

No alcohol, cannabis, tobacco (smoked or chewed), or illicit drugs will be allowed at any time during the program.

17. CAN I BRING MY CELL PHONE OR OTHER TECHNOLOGY ON COURSE?

We ask that students do not bring their cell phones, iPods, or any other technology on course with them. Cameras are of course welcome. This course is intended to be a true wilderness immersion, without the distraction of technology. Cell phone reception will be extremely limited to nonexistent. Please do not expect to be able to talk to friends and family on course. The instructors on most trips carry satellite phones to communicate with Wilderness Orientation headquarters and 911 services if there is an emergency.