FAQ

Outdoor Adventures is part of Campus Recreation, operating within the Division of Student Affairs at the University of San Diego. Outdoor Adventures exists to enhance the campus community by offering recreational and educational experiences through wilderness trips, outdoor recreation classes, teambuilding programs and sustainability programs. USD Outdoor Adventures is committed to offering programs that:

• Provide opportunities for self-discovery and leadership development
• Cultivate cooperative behavior and positive small group dynamics
• Promote wilderness ethics and stewardship, utilizing Leave No Trace principles
• Teach essential outdoor skills
• Encourage positive risk taking within an acceptable level of emotional and physical risk
• Support our students in attaining professional experience
• Provide first-hand experience of the environmental justice challenges impacting locations we visit
• Harness the transformative power of the outdoors

Pre-Orientation Adventure is an exciting way to transition to USD. It is an outdoor camping trip that is guided by student leaders and designed to bring incoming students together before Ole! Weekend (orientation) begins to create new friendships and address common transitional issues before arriving on campus. Pre-Orientation Adventure helps incoming students to feel more comfortable with themselves and gives students a taste of the amazing opportunities that San Diego has to offer.

These trips offer enriching outdoor activities in the local mountains and around Balboa Park. They are a  great way to learn new skills and challenges yourself while getting introduced to San Diego. Most importantly, you will create new friendships that will last during your time at USD and beyond. You will start school more confidently and prepared and have a better understanding of life at USD. Many students claim that their Pre-Orientation Adventure was one of the highlights of their first year at USD!

Both opportunities are amazing ways to get to know other incoming students, interact with student leaders and transition to life at USD. Both programs take place right before Ole! Weekend begins.

Pre-O adventure is a program of Outdoor Adventures and led by student guides that offer a variety of outdoor trips. This year we are exploring the local mountains as well as neighborhoods around Balboa Park. Participants live outdoors, sleep in tents, and eat meals prepared outdoors. 

The Pre-O retreat is a program of University Ministry and led by student leaders that offer opportunities to reflect on your faith and spirituality as you transition to USD. This program is located at Wildwood Camp and Conference Center. Participants live in dormitory style accommodations with air conditioning and electricity. There are indoor meeting spaces, a pool and local opportunities to explore outdoors.

There are THREE DIFFERENT Pre-Orientation Adventure trips this year in addition to the University Ministry Pre-O Retreat:

• August 28-30: Laguna Mountains Basecamp
• August 28-30: Balboa Park Basecamp
• August 28-30: Balboa Park Basecamp: Honors Program
• August 28-30: University Ministry Pre-Orientation Retreat

Check-in begins at 9 a.m. on the first day of your trip unless otherwise noted. All trips will return to campus by 5 p.m. on August 30th. 

There are many similarities between the Laguna Mountain Basecamp and Balboa Park Basecamp trips (group size, sleeping in tents, living outdoors, etc). 

In the Laguna Mountains, students will be living in a National Forest at an elevation of 5,000 feet.  There are beautiful trees and meadows and we'll have an awesome view of Anza Borrego Desert in the distance.  We are primarily hiking, hanging out in camp and spending time around a campfire.  This is a great opportunity to experience nature in a remote setting with a group of peers.

In Balboa Park, students are living in the second oldest city park (only Central Park in NYC is older). It's a beautiful setting with museums, artists, street performers and we'll be able to hear elephants and see California Condors from our tents. We'll also have time hanging out around a campfire, however our view will be of the city skyline in the distance. This trip is a great way to explore the many diverse communities that make San Diego America's Finest City.

Each trip has a difficulty rating and we do our best to describe the format as much as possible so that you can choose the trip that is the best fit for you. Below we’ve included a detailed list of all of our activities' levels of difficulty.

1. Laguna Mountains Basecamp
   Camping: relaxed (depending upon the weather) (bathroom facilities are outhouses)
   Hiking: relaxed to easy (May be moderately challenging for those who have not hiked before and the weather can make this more challenging)
   *no previous experience is necessary for any activity
2. Balboa Park Basecamp
   Camping: relaxed (depending upon the weather) (bathroom facilities with running water)
   Urban Hiking & Exploration: Mostly relaxed to easy (May be moderately challenging for those unaccustomed to walking more than 10,000 steps in a day.  

Difficulty Rating

Relaxed: Short distances at a slow pace; Generally flat terrain, well defined trails; No prior activity experience is necessary; Perfect start for beginners; Not too physically challenging.

In hiking terms, this is usually a day hike (or car camping trip) with less than 4 miles, with minimal elevation change and flat terrain. Sneakers or running shoes are appropriate footwear.

Easy: Short distances at a slow pace; Relatively flat terrain, well defined trails, may involve some hills; No prior activity experience is necessary; Perfect start for beginners; Not too physically challenging.

In hiking terms, this is usually a day hike (or car camping trip) with less than 7 miles, with more noticeable elevation change (about 600 ft gain/loss), and a slightly rock terrain. Light hiking shoes or sneakers are appropriate footwear.

Moderate: Varying distances at a steady pace; Varying terrain, generally established trails; Some prior experience in the activity is helpful, but not required; Designed for those in good physical condition; At times, may be physically challenging.

In hiking terms, this is usually a day hike (or camping trip) with less than 10 miles, with a significant elevation change (>1,000 ft), and a slightly rocky terrain. Hiking boots or light hiking shoes are appropriate.

Advanced: Fast-paced over a short distance or steady-paced over a long distance; Varying terrain, may include off-trail sections, rough spots, unexpected obstacles; Prior experience in the activity is required; Designed for those in good physical condition; Physically challenging.

In hiking terms, this is usually a day hike with more than 10 miles, with a constant, sometimes steep elevation change and rocky terrain. It will include some off trail sections. Hiking boots are required.

Strenuous: Faster-paced over a short distance or steady-paced over a long distance; Difficult terrain, will include off-trail sections, rough spots and unexpected obstacles; Prior experience in the activity is required; Only for those in excellent physical condition; Most physically challenging trips offered by Outdoor Adventures.

In hiking terms, this is usually a day hike (or backpacking trip) with more than 12 miles, with a steep elevation change and very rocky terrain at elevation. Hiking boots are required.

Financial assistance is available to students receiving need-based financial aid and our goal is to meet 100% of student's demonstrated need. See financial assistance information below.

• Early move in to the residence halls 
• Camping equipment - tents & cooking/eating equipment (sleeping bag & sleeping pad available to rent, or bring your own)
• Trained student leaders and guides to facilitate activities
• Transportation to and from USD
• All permits, reservations, activities, and entrance fees
• Meals included:
  • all meals, snacks & desert from dinner on day 1 through lunch on day 3.

Outdoor Adventures will provide you with a clothing list specific to your trip. For the most part, you are responsible for appropriate clothing, footwear and water bottles. If you have any questions about clothing and equipment, don't hesitate to contact us.

As with many things in life, adventuring in the outdoors can be dangerous. To minimize these risks, all student leaders receive specialized training that emphasizes risk management and first aid. Our outdoor leaders are certified Wilderness First Responders (80-hour training) or Wilderness Advanced First Aid level (40-hour training). Our primary concern is safety. We choose activities and locations that allow us to manage the risks present and we ask participants to be partners in staying safe. 

Do not bring any alcohol or illegal drugs. Please let us know of any prescription medications that you are taking.

Pre-O Adventure is very popular and we have had a waiting list in past years so we recommend signing up as soon as possible in order to improve your chances of getting on a Pre–O Adventure Trip. Registration is on a first come, first served basis. The online registration link will be posted here on our website at that time. All available trips will show up on our registration link. If you don't see one of the trips, it has been filled and you can opt to either sign up for a different trip, or sign up for the general waitlist.

• Once trips begin to fill, we will open a general waitlist for all trips.
• Only one application per student. Please decide which trip you would like to attend before starting the registration process!
• Registrations must be completed and paid in full (unless you are requesting financial assistance). Failure to complete your registration will place you on the waitlist. Our online system does not allow you to pay at a later date, so please have your payment information ready at the time you register. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If you are having any difficulties, please call us at 619-260-4709.
• Any canceled space will be filled by waitlisted applications in order that they were received.

OA can provide a free shuttle from the airport to campus. We will ask you for your travel plans in the registration packet. Please let us know your flight information so we can coordinate your pickup at the airport. Flights should arrive by 10 a.m. on day 1 of your trip.  We are very happy to talk with you about air travel logistics before you book a flight.

Awesome! Pre-O is a great trip for first-time campers. All you need is a positive attitude and an adventurous spirit. On your trip, the student leaders will teach you the basic outdoor living skills you’ll need to be comfortable camping, hiking, etc. For those who are unsure about conditioning for these activities, Pre-O Adventure is a great opportunity to challenge yourself. The only requirement is a desire to participate. Historically, about 50% of our participants are first-time campers.  

Pre-O Adventure trips are shared group experiences where every student is a critical component of a well functioning group.  Participants are expected to be active, contributing members of the group.  This includes transporting personal and group gear, assisting with setting up camp, cooking, cleaning, minimizing environmental impacts and taking care of oneself in weather conditions that can sometimes be challenging. 

Be prepared to be flexible.  Weather, trail conditions, environmental conditions may not be what you expect.  Bringing your sense of humor, a positive attitude and tolerance for adversity will help you tackle these challenges should they arise.  Positive group dynamics don’t just happen automatically.  They are the result of hard work, thoughtful interactions, good intentions and respect for people with diverse backgrounds.  Please join us if you are interested in building a well functioning, cohesive group.

Pre-O Adventure is designed for beginner to intermediate skill levels. We encourage everyone to engage in some type of regular physical activity in preparation for the trip in order to maximize comfort. Walking, hiking, biking, running, yoga, swimming, surfing, paddling are all great ways to be physically active. Each trip has different physical demands, so please refer to the specific trip for more detailed information.  Being prepared to walk over 10,000 steps for day should be a good start.

Please note any food/health requirements when registering for the trip. Our staff will take into consideration all food/health requirements for each participant and many can easily be accommodated.

Please feel free to contact us at your convenience.  Our office is staffed 9am-5pm with knowledgeable students that would be happy to speak with you.

Outdoor Adventures
Hahn University Center, 136
5998 Alcala Park
San Diego, CA 92110

(619) 260-4709
www.sandiego.edu/outdoor-adventures
usdoutdooradventures@gmail.com