Recreational Sports Outdoor Program

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Freshmen Outdoor Trips
August 29-September 1, 2011

Come to UMD early for an experience of a lifetime!
These trips are a great way to transition to UMD through meeting friends and having fun! Each trip is well planned, has great leaders, and gets you out to explore wild places. Safety and fun are top priorities. These trips are lead by experienced Outdoor Program student leaders and faculty from throughout the UMD campus. NO EXPERIENCE
NECESSARY.

The trip fee includes transportation, instruction, equipment, food on the trip, t-shirt, early on-campus housing check-in (on Aug. 29), and post-trip barbeque.

Canoeing the Boundary Waters Wilderness Area Adventure
Northwoods Wilderness Sampler
Backpacking the Superior Hiking Trail
Rock Climbing Lake Superior’s North Shore
Sea Kayaking the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Fishing the Boundary Water Canoe Area

Canoeing the Boundary Waters Wilderness Area Adventure
New friends and fun will be launched as we paddle into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Explore the beauty and wonder of this wilderness with our experienced and enthusiastic leaders. Stargazing,
stories and listening for hooting, owls and howling wolves are included on this trips itinerary. We will paddle across lakes near the Gunflint Trail and carry our gear over portage trails to remote and primitive campsites.
Info Sheet Cost: $298

Northwoods Wilderness Sampler
Sample canoeing, hiking, stargazing, nature based arts, rock climbing, and swimming all within the same four day stretch. Your group will travel to the edge of the Boundary Canoe Area Wilderness with our experienced and enthusiastic leaders. We will lodge in rustic cabins, eat s’mores, and enjoy lively conversation with new friends around a campfire under the stars. If you are interested in what each of the Freshmen Trips has to offer, the Northwoods Sampler is for you.
Info Sheet Cost: $298

Backpacking the Superior Hiking Trail
The Superior Hiking Trail, rated one of the best in the United States, is the locale of this backpacking adventure. Experience the
magnificent vistas and deep, mystical forest with our experienced and enthusiastic leaders. We will follow a picturesque ridge overlooking Lake
Superior by day. In the evening, enjoy stargazing and lively conversation with new friends. We will carry all of our gear with us over rugged trails
and camp in beautiful forested campsites.
Info Sheet Cost: $298

Rock Climbing Lake Superior’s North Shore
Excitement. Friendships. Challenge. All these and more are included in this trip. You will experience some of the most amazing rock climbing locations in the Midwest. When we are not rock climbing Lake Superior’s North Shore, we will be hiking along the area’s beautiful trails. Whether you have always wanted to try rock climbing or are a seasoned veteran, you will experience fun challenges in a safe and supportive atmosphere. Our trained leaders will cover safety, equipment and technique. In the
evening, listen for night sounds, share stories and s’mores with new friends.
Info Sheet Cost: $298

Sea Kayaking the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is a beautiful string of islands on Lake Superior’s South Shore. Our experienced leaders will introduce you to equipment, safety and paddling techniques. They will also share stories about voyagers, shipwrecks and island living. Explore sea caves and secluded beaches in double sea kayaks. We will camp on islands with sand beaches, stargaze, swim and hike with new friends.
Info Sheet Cost: $298

Fishing the Boundary Waters Canoe Area
Here is your chance to explore the Boundary Waters with new friends AND go fishing! Join us as we travel by canoes to a variety of lakes and fishing spots to discover the beauty of this pristine wilderness and have fun. We will be paddling, camping, and portaging in lakes off the Gunflint Trail. Bass, walleye, northern pike, and lake trout are all possibilities for catching when on this outdoor trip.
Info Sheet Cost: $298

Registration Form
pdf format

Cancellation Policy
A full refund will be issued with a written
cancellation by July 11, 2011 (so we can fill your
spot with someone from the waiting list). A 50%
refund will be issued with a written cancellation
by July 22, 2011. Due to the logistics involved
with programming these trips, refunds will not be
available after after July 22, 2011. Early housing
check-in is available for students participating in a
First Year Outdoor Trip.

Freshman Trips
218.726.7128
email: rsop@d.umn.edu

UMD Admissions Office
218.726.7171
umdadmis@d.umn.edu

Recreational Sports
Outdoor Program
153 SpHC
1216 Ordean Court
Duluth MN 55812

UMD Housing Office
218.726.8178

Frequently Asked Questions
Who Signs Up for Trips? Many types of students participate! We get students from all majors and interest areas. All were interested in meeting new friends, exploring UMD’s backyard and having a great experience.

Who Leads Freshman trips?Freshman Trip leaders are UMD Recreational Sports Outdoor Program student staff who are highly experienced. UMD professors and other staff join as assistant leaders. Student leaders have completed such trainings as Wilderness First Aid, Lifeguarding, American Canoe Association or American Mountain Guide Association Instructor certifications and CPR.They are majoring in education, recreation, life sciences, outdoor education.

Can I check in to my dorm room early even if I don't sign up for a First Year Trip? No. Early housing check-in is available only to students registered for First Year Trips.

If I decide to cancel will I get a refund ?Refunds are not available unless your cancellation fits the following criteria: For a full refund, a written cancellation must be received by July 15, 2007. A 50% refund will be given if a written cancellation is received by July 29, 2007. Refunds will not be available after July 29, 2007.

I,m a vegetarian, is this a problem? Food allergies and special diets are not a problem. Just be sure to include that information on the health form and we will work out the menus.

Are these trips dangerous? Safety is always the highest priority in any of these trips. Not only are our staff qualified and prepared, they incorporate progressive safety techniques in their instruction. They will cover terminology, equipment use, and safe climbing, paddling, hiking strategies. For example, helmets are worn climbing, lifejackets while paddling and shoes while swimming. We won't put people into situations they are not comfortable with.

Freshman Trips
Isle Royale Slideshow

Freshman Trips
Sampler Slideshow

Freshman Trips
Sea Kayak Slideshow

Freshman Trips
Climbing Slideshow

What past participants say about their experience:

“Beautiful scenery.”

“Its awesome.”

“Definitely sign up for it, it's a great way to meet people.”

“It's fun and you get to met new people.”

“It was a nice break from the stress of starting college.”

“It"s a good experience and is a great opportunity to meet people.”

“That it's a great way to meet people and to do the Edge of the Wilderness unless they really like to camp.

“Challenging yourself, learning and meeting people.”

“It's fun to meet people, move in early, to try new
things and a break before starting college.”

“It was a good time.  : )

“The instructors were bomb!”

“You can do it:  Challenging, good food at camp, fun time, cabins were nice.“I loved the location and th
time it took place, right before school started.
The pace was quick but it was good to push yourself.  Also, the leaders were awesome and easy to talk to.”

“Flexibility in the program, the equipment was good; easy to use and in good shape.

“Everything!  Instruction was great!  Location-awesome…perfect.”

“It's a great way to meet new people and enjoy what Duluth has to offer.”

“Fun, good mix of instruction and friendship.”

“Everything was good about this trip, the pace was
just right and nobody was pressured into doing somethingthey did not want to.” 

“Everything was great.  JJ and Mark were awesome leaders and friends.  The climbing was fun, but the relationships made were even better.”