Trips
The Outdoor Program offers a variety of trips for all levels of experience out there! There is no “typical” Pre-Trip student and participants range from first time campers to experienced backcountry travelers. Take a peek at the trips offered and select one that seems best suited to your experience and desires.
Trip Descriptions
LGBTQ Canoe Trip: This trip is designed for individuals who identify as members of the LGBTQIA+ community. The Outdoor Program at St. Lawrence University recognizes the importance of diverse communities and representation in outdoor spaces. Participants will canoe on lake, flat water, some moving water, and short portages. No canoeing or camping experience is necessary, but an excitement for full days on the water and an open mind is preferred. The ability to swim is encouraged but not required.
Introduction to Canoeing: Participants will be canoeing on lakes and flatwater, sleeping in tents, and portaging small distances. This trip is designed for people with little to no overnight camping or canoeing experience. The ability to swim is encouraged but not required.
General Canoeing: Participants will be canoeing on lakes, flatwater, some moving water, and short portages. No canoeing or camping experience is necessary, but an excitement for full days on the water and an open mind is preferred. The ability to swim is encouraged but not required.
Experienced Canoeing: This trip is designed for people who have experience camping and canoeing. This trip will cover longer distances on the water and have multiple portages, some of which are quite long. The ability to swim is encouraged but not required.
Introduction to Backpacking: Participants will be hiking in the Adirondack Park, sleeping in tents, and carrying backpacks. Distance and elevation gain will be less than the other backpacking trips but one can expect to travel 2-5 miles per day, gain some elevation, and travel on variable terrain. This trip is appropriate for people interested in exploring the Adirondacks but have little to no experience backpacking or camping.
General Backpacking: This trip will backpack in moderate terrain, hike steeper grades, and travel longer distances than Introduction to Backpacking. This trip is designed for individuals who have experience hiking; however, for the adventurous at heart, no experience is required.
Experienced Backpacking: This trip will entail frequent changes in elevation, longer distances, and steeper grades than General Backpacking. This trip will travel to the High Peaks region of the Adirondack Park. This trip will be physically demanding and experience both backpacking and camping is highly recommended.
Rock Climbing in the Adirondacks: This trip is designed as an introduction to outdoor rock climbing. Participants will climb everyday and explore multiple rock climbing locations. Participants can expect to learn technical skills including knots, belay techniques, and how to use standard climbing equipment. No experience camping or rock climbing is necessary. Participants in this trip will sleep at the Outdoor Program Cabin in Lake Placid- a rustic cabin with no electricity, water, or heat.
Mountain Biking in the Adirondacks: This trip is designed for anyone interested in learning mountain biking basics. Students will sleep in tents and drive to different trail systems throughout the Adirondack Park. No experience mountain biking is required, but the ability to ride a bike is necessary. Bikes and helmets will be provided.
Adirondack Adventure: No hiking/camping experience required. Participants will be part of The Outdoor State of Mind FYP and spend the weekend at Canaras Camp. Participants will canoe, hike, and whitewater raft during this Pre-Orientation Trip.
