Return to W.O.A.! Table of Contents

What is W.O.A.!?
Wilderness Orientation Adventure is a student-run program (partially subsidized by ASCMC) designed to welcome first-year students to CMC and ease the transition into college life. Through a shared experience in the best of California's wilderness, students form long-lasting friendships that provide a great starting point for the first year of college.

Current students and a member of the faculty or alumni lead W.O.A.! participants to a wide variety of wilderness destinations. All trips are coed with both male and female student leaders. W.O.A.! trips are a fantastic way to introduce yourself to your new community!

Who can participate?
e encourage all first-year students to participate in one of several exciting programs. However, there are a limited number of spaces available for each trip. Spaces will be filled in the order the applications are received so submit your check and application soon to ensure a spot on your first choice trip. Responses will be accepted until July 16.

Beach Camping - Explore some of Southern California's premier coastal locales such as the popular tourist destinations on Catalina Island or the more rugged, remote sand dunes and bluffs of Montana de Oro State Park. Beach Camping activities include sea kayaking, snorkeling, and beautiful coastal day hikes. Students must be able to swim to join one of our beach camping adventures.

Canoeing - If you have an inclination for a more strenuous water adventure, you may be interested in joining our Colorado River canoeing trip. Students will canoe 10 to 15 miles a day, paddling from Needles, CA to Lake Havasu City, AZ, passing through Topock Gorge and camping along the river's shore each night. Temperatures will be hot, but the river water is refreshingly cool and the beautiful scenery of Topock Gorge is unbeatable. No previous canoeing experience is necessary, but students must be capable swimmers.

Backpacking - Students interested in a more intense outdoor experience enjoy one of our backpacking adventures. Trips will hike through 5 to 8 miles of incredible scenery per day, enjoying the spectacular glacier-carved backcountry, breathtaking vistas, and giant sequoia groves of Yosemite and Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park.

Camping - If you're looking to experience the outdoors at a more laid back pace, then our Yosemite and Sequoia camping trips are the perfect choice. From the group's base camp, students will enjoy all of the popular destinations in two of America's most popular parks. Activities include swimming and perhaps canoeing or kayaking in local lakes and streams, exploring local caves, hiking to the beautiful overlooks of nearby peaks, and fun campfire activities at night. Our camping groups are typically the largest, so students can get to know even more of their fellow classmates.

Climbing - Those of you interested in combining backpacking with rock climbing will find what you are looking for on the Yosemite climbing trip. This adventure will take students through the backcountry of Yosemite where they will have the opportunity to enjoy both the excellent hiking and world class climbing that this remarkable park has to offer. No previous climbing experience is necessary for this trip.

Los Angeles Adventure - For those of you in search of a more urban adventure, this trip will take students on a four-day tour of the exciting city of Los Angeles. Baseball games, museums, beaches, TV show tapings, the Santa Monica Pier, and Beverly Hills are just a few of the destinations students may have the opportunity to experience on this incredible outing. Students will spend each day exploring the city and will return to a warm bed each night-no camping required!

Students participating in WOA! must arrive at CMC on Friday, August 24 between noon and 5 p.m. Students will spend Friday night on campus and leave for their respective destinations Saturday morning. The adventure comes to an end Tuesday as trips return to campus and participants prepare for a more suburban adventure . . . On-Campus Orientation! If your family plans to participate in On-Campus Orientation, they can join you on Wednesday, August 29.

How much does W.O.A.! cost?
The cost to participate in Wilderness Orientation Adventure is $300. The full amount is due with the attached application. Please make checks payable to Claremont McKenna College/WOA!. The price includes park fees, transportation, food, use of group equipment, and other miscellaneous costs.

What should I bring?
Students will most likely be bringing to college the items needed for their trip. More specific items such as sleeping bags and backpacks are available for a small rental fee. Once accepted, you will receive a packet detailing your trip and the items you will need.

Do I need lots of experience?
No, all students should be able to find a trip suited to their particular skill level and interest. The trips have been designed to accommodate a wide range of experience levels; we encourage you to look over the trip descriptions and find the adventure that is best for you. All participants will be encouraged to participate in group tasks, such as cooking and cleaning, and will be expected to contribute during group activities.

Please complete and return this form to the address above no later than July 16. Trip space is limited and applications will be processed in the order received. Refunds will not be available for cancellations made after August 6.

Please rank your choices (1-4) in order of preference (1 being most preferred) and indicate any trips you would not consider.

A check payable to Claremont McKenna College/WOA! in the amount of $300 must accompany this application. Mail to: