FAQs

1. When is the program?

Session 1: Typically the end of August into the first week of September.
Session 2: Typically the middle of September

You may arrive the day before your trip if you'd like and stay in our hostel (see #17 below and General Info, under Lodging).

2. Where do I need to report on campus?

Come to the East Field House (see the campus map).

If you arrive the day before your session begins, (most students do), you may stay at our hostel at no cost.

Food is not provided but W.O. staff members will be happy to direct you to some good inexpensive restaurants.

3. Can I park on campus?

Yes, although you must pick up a parking permit at the Parking Office located near the East Entrance of campus (see campus map).

Park in the "East Remote" parking lot which is about 300 yards from the East Field House. The cost is $3.50/day or $15.00/week for remote lot.

4. What is included in the cost of $580?

All meals (except one dinner explained in #5 below) beginning with lunch on day 1, ending with a continental breakfast on day 10.

Transportation between Santa Cruz and the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

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 W.O. student the previous year.

5. What is not included in the cost?

Personal equipment (see equipment list), snacks you might buy on the road.

one dinner we will eat out on the return trip from the Sierra.

6. Where are we going?

To the Sierra Nevada mountains located about 6 hours east of Santa Cruz in California. On each session there will be five groups of 12 students and 3 leaders each going to a different locations in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We will not know the exact route you will be on until a few days before you arrive for the program.

7. What will we be doing on the first day of the program?

8:00 AM -- registration
General welcome, orientation to the program, and group activities.
Equipment check, followed by a hot lunch.
Drive approx. 6 hours to the trailhead, stopping on the road to eat a bag dinner.
See the sample itinerary for more information

8. What will happen at the end of the Program?

You and your group will drive back from the Sierra Nevada mountains on day 9 of the program, arriving in Santa Cruz that evening. You will spend the night on campus with your group.
On day 10 we will provide a continental breakfast and your group will finish with closing ceremonies at about 10 am.
See the sample itinerary for more information

9. What about storing extra belongings?

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

For session 2 students only we will provide storage for all of your school belongings while you are on course. We will direct you to this storage when you arrive.

Please DON'T park illegally while unloading your gear. The campus police will ticket you!

10. How do I get around without a car?

The local bus service provides frequent runs through campus, and downtown. It costs $1.50 per ride (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 you must be prepared to buy and/or rent equipment if we feel yours is inadequate for this trip.

Our program is run with safety as our primary concern. If we feel your equipment is inadequate, it is for the protection of you and the entire group.

Also please bring sufficient money to pay for gear that you will be renting.

12. How might I physically and mentally prepare for the trip?

* * * Wilderness Orientation is physically challenging.* * *

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 W.O.

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 (i.e. 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.

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 24 hour solo experience all about?

Like experiencing college for the first time, a wilderness solo is a novel and eye-opening experience for most people.

For twenty four hours you will be in your own small area, which gives you privacy from the group.

Students are expected to remain at their solo site. This experience is not a time to hike in the Sierra alone. Solo is a time to think about the transition from high school to college, a time to think about leaving home, a time to write in your journal and observe your natural surroundings.

Students usually don't eat any food but drink plenty of water during this time because it can minimize distractions, heighten awareness, and be a learning experience about our relationship with food.

You will have all the equipment you need to stay warm, dry, and comfortable.<

For safety reasons, instructors are camped within whistling distance and are always aware of your location. You may find this to be the most meaningful experience of your trip, many students have!

15. What happens in case of an emergency?

Should your parents need to get in contact with you while you're in the backcountry, the time, effort and cost will be great. The administrative staff will try to reach you only if there is an extreme emergency.

You will be responsible for all costs involved. Should you need to be evacuated from the mountains (whether due to an injury, illness, or a student's refusal to continue the course) you will be responsible for all costs - a minimum of $200.

16. Alcohol, drugs, tobacco?

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

This is not only in consideration of others, but also a serious safety concern.

The rules will be strictly enforced. Any prescription drugs that students bring should be in their prescription bottles showing the doctor's name.

Instructors should be notified of any prescription drugs that are being taken. If you smoke or chew, we highly advise that you quit well before the course in order to make the transition easier. Please consult a doctor for alternatives should you be concerned about the effects of withdrawal.

17. Where can we stay the night before either session 1 or 2?

The Wilderness Orientation program hosts a Hostel for participants to stay at the night before both sessions.

The Hostel is a great opportunity for students to get grounded in Santa Cruz and tune into other students before the beginning of their WO experience.

The Hostel is staffed by the WO volunteers who were participants on last year's WO and will be available as a resource to the participants.

The Hostel opens at 3:00 p.m. the day before session 1 and 2, please do not show up before this as our staff will be eagerly attending to the last minute details which will ensure a quality experience for all the WO participants.