April 18, 2018

Get Outside

College Outdoors takes students on enriching adventures outside the classroom.

 

For more than 30 years, College Outdoors has introduced students to amazing locations in Oregon and beyond. Our program, one of the largest offered by a college of our size, takes students rafting, cross-country skiing, backpacking, hiking, and on beach explorations. The trips provide leadership opportunities, inspire group communication, build community, and enhance decision-making skills.

College Outdoors designs trips for everyone from newbies to experienced adventurers. Outings range from one day to one week long.  

“My favorite thing about College Outdoors is how it gives opportunities for people to connect with nature and with each other,” says trip leader Seren Villwock ’19. Most of the getaways are run by student staff, all of whom started out as volunteers. “There are so many incredible places in the Pacific Northwest that students can access because of our trips. I love sharing these experiences. There’s no better way to turn a group of strangers into friends.”

College Outdoors also offers a special series of trips as part of our New Student Orientation. New Student Trips are designed to help incoming students, whether they are arriving from high school or transferring from another college, transition to life at Lewis & Clark. Each trip incorporates community-building activities and encourages discussion of issues facing college students. This August, incoming students can venture out on weeklong explorations to the Wallowa Mountains and Waldo Lake, as well as “Beyond Portlandia” workshops focusing on economic justice and environmental action. 

College Outdoors Facts

  • 65 trips offered in 2017–18
  • More than 150 weekend leadership opportunities
  • 90% of Lewis & Clark students participate
  • Over $40,000 in trip scholarships available

Admissions College Outdoors  College Outdoors Alumni Spotlights