What is W.O.A.!?

Wilderness Orientation Adventure is a student-run program designed to welcome incoming students to Claremont McKenna and ease the transition into life at CMC. Through a shared experience in the best of California's wilderness, students form long-lasting friendships that provide a great starting point for their first year at CMC.

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?

We encourage all incoming 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 19.

Student athletes who will be participating in Men's and Women's Soccer, Volleyball, or Football are unable to participate as coaches have scheduled practices during this time. International students are also unable to participate in W.O.A.! because their orientation overlaps with wilderness orientation trips.

Arriving at CMC

Students participating in WOA! must arrive at CMC on Friday, August 23 between noon and 5 p.m. Student leaders will greet participants at the Ontario airport baggage claim and shuttle them back to campus. Students who are unable to arrive at the Ontario airport must locate their own transportation to the college. Students will spend Friday night on campus and leave for their respective destinations Saturday morning. Belongings not being taken on their adventure can be placed in the student's fall room, but Friday night will be spent as a group. 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 28.

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. Additionally, W.O.A.! participants and leaders will be expected to follow environmentally friendly, leave-no-trace practices during their time in the outdoors. Student and faculty leaders will enthusiastically share their wilderness knowledge and camping guidelines with all participants.

Student and Faculty Leaders

W.O.A.! trips comprise of 3-5 leaders per 12-20 participants. Each trip has at least one male and one female student leader. Student leaders participate in mandatory training prior to the trips in order to ensure safety and well-run adventures. Each trip has at least one student leader who is certified in basic first aid.

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 Montaña 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 to Yosemite and Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks 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 these amazing national treasures. A more advanced trip to Los Padres National Park in the Big Sur area will cover approximately 8-10 miles per day while experiencing the dramatic coastal mountains of Northern California. No experience is required for the Yosemite and Sequioa adventures, but experience is necessary for the Los Padres backpacking trip.

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.

Rock 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, but students should be prepared for a challenging experience.

Surfing in San Diego - New this year we are offering a trip to San Diego to learn how to surf, enjoy beach life, and experience what San Diego has to offer. Professional surf instructors will teach students the basics of this classic California past time at your own pace. Afternoons and evenings will be spent discovering the charm of the Southern California lifestyle by doing different activities in and around San Diego. Students will camp near the water in a relaxed and more urban setting. First time surfers are welcome but all students must be strong swimmers. This trip leaves on Friday evening the 23rd.