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Greetings to incoming students, families, and supporters! We are so excited to introduce First-Year Trips or “Trips” to you. We know you may have many questions about what First-Year Trips is and what it looks like–we hope this document will help answer some of those questions. We are always available for further clarification and discussion; please feel free to email First-Year.Trips@dartmouth.edu or give us a call at 603-646-3996.
Below is the recording from our July 2, 2024 FYT Registration Information Session for incoming students. Stay tuned for upcoming information sessions in August!
July 2, 2024: FYT Registration Information Session
What is First-Year Trips?
First-Year Trips, a program within the Outdoor Programs Office, is an orientation program that helps incoming students begin their transition to Dartmouth in a supportive, welcoming environment. Students are placed into small groups, each of which is led by two upper-level Dartmouth students. As a trip, students and their Trip Leaders spend multiple days participating in one of a variety of activities that cater to a wide range of interests and comfort with the outdoors, including hiking, paddling, exploring museums, rock climbing, relaxing at a cabin, and more. Trips include a range of sleeping accommodations from staying underneath a tarp with no access to bathrooms to staying in an accessible location with access to indoor bathrooms! Feel free to email us if you have any questions or concerns about accessibility and sleeping in shared spaces during Trips.
First-Year Trips is a decades-old tradition that helps unify each class of incoming students, and we encourage everyone to participate in First-Year Trips. Absolutely no outdoors experience is required or expected to participate in and enjoy Trips. The wide range of activities available on Trips allows all students to find an environment and experience that is meaningful for them, and we will work with students to address any concerns and provide any necessary adjustments or accommodations.
What happens on First-Year Trips?
Before you arrive at Dartmouth, you will be assigned a trip type that takes into account your preferences as expressed in the registration form. First-Year Trips takes place as a part of New Student Orientation. Check the Orientation Website for schedule information. Your trip group will consist of two upper-level Trip Leaders and roughly seven other incoming students. Together, you will spend three days and nights participating in activities related to your trip type, which will include time outdoors. On your third day, you will come together with other trips at either the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge (“the Lodj”) or the Dartmouth Skiway Lodge (“the Sklodj”) for a closing Trips experience.
Who can go on First-Year Trips?
All incoming first-year and transfer students can participate in Trips, regardless of outdoors experience, ability, participation in other pre-orientation program!
If you have any questions or concerns about your ability to participate, please email us at First-Year.Trips@dartmouth.edu.
How much does First-Year Trips Cost? Is financial aid available?
Participating in First-Year Trips costs $350 USD. This charge will be billed to your college account, and payment is not required when registering.
If you receive financial aid from Dartmouth, the cost of Trips will AUTOMATICALLY be reduced according to the amount of financial aid you receive from the College (up to and including 100% coverage of the cost of First-Year Trips). Keep an eye out for an email from the Financial Aid office with your adjusted cost for Trips.
We are committed to making sure that finances are not a barrier to participating in First-Year Trips, both in the cost of the program and any gear you may need. If you have questions about financial aid or the cost of Trips, please reach out to us!
What do I need to bring on Trips?
All necessities will be provided for you on Trips – food, shelter, transportation, and group equipment. Different trips need different gear – you’ll get a packing list when you receive your trip assignment in the late July.
Some trip types require individual gear such as hiking backpacks. If you have all you need already, great! If not, try to borrow from friends or neighbors or acquire second-hand. If you can’t find what you need, Trips has gear that can be borrowed, including hiking backpacks, sleeping bags, and hiking boots.
All borrowed gear is free of charge, at no cost to you. You will have an opportunity to request gear after you have received your trip type assignment. Priority for borrowing gear will be given to students on financial aid.
What if I need accommodation or adjustments on First-Year Trips?
There are many, different types of trips spanning a wide spectrum of themes, setting, physical activity, and time in the outdoors. We are confident that everyone can have a Trips experience that they are excited for, feel comfortable with, and can thrive in. If you are unsure about a trip type, have questions, are feeling nervous, or have any other concerns, please reach out to us at First-Year.Trips@dartmouth.edu or by phone at 603-646-3996.
We also recognize that some students may need additional adjustments or accommodations related to religious practices, ability, dietary concerns, allergies, and/or other needs. First-Year Trips is excited to create accessible and inclusive Trip experiences for all participants, and it partners with departments such as Dartmouth’s Health Service, Dartmouth Dining Services, Student Accessibility Services, and the Tucker Center for Religious and Spiritual Life in the process. We are committed to doing everything possible to help all students participate in the Trips program to the extent they feel comfortable. You will have an opportunity to share any needs later in this form.
If you have concerns about accommodation on campus beyond First-Year Trips, particularly related to a disability or other diagnosed condition, please reach out to Student Accessibility Services. If you have a dietary condition such as a life-threatening food allergy or celiac or Crohn’s disease, or just want to learn more about heathy eating on campus, please email Dartmouth Dining Services’ Dietitian Beth Rosenberger or call 603-646-1740 for more information or to schedule a meeting. Information provided on this form will only inform adjustments to First-Year Trips.
How does First-Year Trips ensure the safety and comfort of all participants?
Our Directors, Risk Management Coordinator, and several support crews work behind the scenes to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all participants and volunteers.
Our trip leaders and support volunteers receive extensive training over the Spring and Summer to prepare for any potential challenges that may arise. This includes the following training sessions:
For trips with activities in and around bodies of water, all participants and volunteers are required to complete our Water Comfort Assessment.
Trip types such as mountain biking and climbing are additionally facilitated by student volunteers experienced in that activity.
I'm concerned about bugs or wildlife on Trips -- how does Trips prepare for that?
All trip leaders are trained in best practices for environmental hazards in the Northeast addressing both mega- and micro- fauna. We practice bear-conscious camping and are respectful of the wildlife that we might encounter in our shared home. All Trips are provided with insect repellent and we encourage folks to cover up and be conscious of mosquitoes, ticks and other insects. Luckily for us, September has the lowest summer-time insect pressure in the Northeast!
For information on Dartmouth's approach to Eastern Equine Encephalitis, please visit the Dartmouth Health Services website.
