Pride OUTside: Explore the Oregon Coast

The Oregon Coastline features some of the most spectacular scenery in the state, with dramatic cliffs, towering old-growth trees, waterfalls, ferns, sandy beaches, crashing surf, coastal lakes, and, if the time is right, tide pools. We’ll get to relax on the sandy beaches, and hike some of the Northwest’s many coastal trails, where you’ll see some of the most productive temperate rain forest on earth. Keep an eye out for salamanders, sea lions, and numerous birds including the dinosaur-like cormorant! The coastal forests and waterways are the traditional lands of the Siuslaw and Quuiich (Lower Umpqua / Kalawatset) tribes, whose traditions are interwoven with this vibrant ecosystem of abundance. 

The first day of your trip you’ll drive about 3.5 hours to the coast, and settle into your living quarters. Each day we’ll explore, go on hikes, and learn about the fascinating ecology and natural history of the area. Typically hikes will be at a moderate pace, and last a few hours, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the landscape and get to know your group. Evenings will be spent relaxing, reflecting, learning about life at L&C, and connecting with the other people on your trip. Unless there is a fire ban in August (which is common form most of Oregon, but less common at the coast), evenings will be spend around the fire ring. On the last day of the trip, we’ll pack up camp and head to Portland the night before New Student Orientation begins. Your group and leaders will help you move into your residence hall when you get to campus.

We’ll be staying in a furnished “Staff House” at Camp Cleawox, a summer camp property that will only house other L&C New Student Trip groups during your stay. This building has a full indoor kitchen, sleeping quarters with bunk beds, and two private restrooms with a shower each. There are also three more rustic open-air cabins nearby if you prefer a more outdoorsy experience. Although Camp Cleawox will have other New Student Trip groups staying in satellite campsites nearby, your group will have your own indoor and outdoor spaces to gather, prepare meals, and relax around the campfire. The Staff House is situated away from the main lodge, just a short walk away from the freshwater beach on Cleawox Lake, and along forest trails.

Due to the structure of these trips, it is not possible to make participation anonymous. However, we will take steps to make participation discreet. When you arrive for your trip, you will be alongside other new students attending other trips. You will all check in together, store any items not going on your trip, then head over to the area near our warehouse to meet your group and leaders. Throughout this process we will refer to your trip as “Explore the Oregon Coast”, and drop the “Pride OUTside” portion of the trip name. Please keep in mind that if other students on your trip share the theme, or if students on other trips have carefully reviewed all the trip options on the website, they may know that your group is the Pride OUTside group regardless of official signage.

When you register, if you have parent or guardian contact information in the L&C system, then that person will be copied on all communications from us. This means they will see emails which address you by your chosen name, and provided details about your choice to participate in the Pride OUTside trip. Although we have in place the steps described above to make your trip choice discreet, we cannot guarantee that your trip choice could not become known to anyone (such as a family member) who drops you off at campus for the trip.

Because we cannot guarantee anonymity for participation, we recommend that if this is a concern for you, you should consider choosing a different trip. Whether you choose this trip or another New Student Trip, all our trip leaders are trained on topics of gender-diverse inclusion and are eager to welcome you to the L&C community!

• No experience necessary! We’ll teach you all you need to know to hike.
• Break in your hiking boots: If you are getting new-to-you boots for this trip, you’ll want to wear them around in the weeks leading up to the trip. New boots + long treks = painful blisters. It is very important to break in your boots by wearing them with a pack for extended periods prior to your trip.
• Get moving: It’s a great idea to walk or run this summer to get yourself into shape. This trip is rated as moderate-low physical rigor

Hormones: If you take hormone injections, we recommend working with your physician to adjust your injection schedule so that you do not need to administer during the 6 day trip. If necessary, you can do injections while on a camping trip, we just ask that you bring an extra needle, syringe and if possible an extra vial. If you are bringing medication on the trip, consult with your doctor about the temperature range at which it must be stored (refrigeration is available in the kitchen fridge).

Binding & Compression Clothing: Binding/wearing compression clothing could interfere with physical comfort while hiking, especially if it is hot. We are happy to talk through some options to help you feel affirmed without compromising your health. Please contact us for more information.

If you have any questions about any specific needs while on the trip please email the College Outdoors Program Manager, Taylor Feldman (she/they) at taylorf@lclark.edu. You may also contact outdoors@lclark.edu, but be aware that email is monitored by a number of different people including student workers. 

We eat well on this trip! Your group will work together to prepare meals in the “Staff House” where you will be staying.

Some examples of typical meals include: pizza, burritos, and mac & cheese, and we love delicious snacks! This trip can accommodate any dietary restrictions and allergies, and we will do our best to have “safe” foods available to those who have sensory needs, as long as you let us know about them ahead of time.

For vegan and other non-medical specialty diets, there is an additional charge. There is no extra cost for vegetarian diets or medical allergy restrictions.