FAQ'S
Outdoor Living Learning Community
Wilderness Welcome is celebrating its EIGHTH straight year of welcoming First Year Students to NAU with an incredible wilderness adventure. Looking for an exciting way to transition into NAU? Do you enjoy the outdoors? Then consider joining NAU Outdoors’ Wilderness Welcome.
Wilderness Welcome is an adventure-based, student-led, outdoor orientation program for incoming NAU First Year students. Discover this unique, five-day, learning experience that provides participants with the opportunity to meet classmates, face challenges, and connect with the natural environment of the southwest. Make your first connections at NAU with a truly memorable adventure.
Students may choose between:
- a river rafting trip on the San Juan River
- a rock climbing adventure on the crags and cliffs surrounding Flagstaff,
- or a hiking experience in the breathtaking National Parks of the Southwest.
All three adventures are open to any skill level and may be taken for 1 credit with the Parks and Recreation Management Program. Wilderness Welcome operates on a "first come, first serve" basis - so reserve your spot early as the program sells out.
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San Juan River RaftingSun, Aug 19–Thu, Aug 23, 2012
Relax and connect with other students as you take in the incredible landscape that surrounds you as float down the San Juan River, a tributary of the Colorado River in southern Utah. A few class II-III rapids will keep you on your toes, but this stretch gives an incredible sense of human history, from the mystic petroglyphs, to the ancient cliff dwellings, participants will find themselves immersed in a perfect place to reflect on the past and the future.
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Northern Arizona Rock ClimbingSun, Aug 19ndash;Thu, Aug 23, 2012
Northern Arizona is a rock-climbers dream, with hundreds of routes for beginner to advanced climbers. Flagstaff is home to unique limestone formations, including the familiar Redwall Limestone and our own Flagstaff Limestone—all are great for climbing, bouldering, and problem solving.
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Canyon Country Hiking AdventureSun, Aug 19–Thu, Aug 23, 2012
Enjoy hiking and exploring renowned canyons in Zion's National Park, Bryce Canyon, and the mysterious Goblin Valley in Southern Utah. The Canyon Country Hiking Adventure brings you to colorful landscapes eroded into countless canyons, striking mesas, and jutting buttes.
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Participant Feedback
Can words actually symbolize the gratitude and fun I experienced during the Wilderness Welcome program? I was able to find myself throughout the rafting adventure, which was unexpected.
—Amy G., Arizona
Before this course, I was anxious and a bit worried about my upcoming college career, but through it I was able to start college with an open mind, ready for everything from homework to dorm life to the Student Union to a positive social life. I’m very happy I went through this program.
—Travis B., Idaho
Not only did this experience increase my appreciation for the outdoors, it made my transition into college extremely smooth. Because Wilderness Welcome created such a tight knit environment for students, it was inevitable that we would eventually become close to one another.
—Brooke N., Hawaii
When I heard about the wilderness welcome program I was excited about the opportunity to meet other incoming collage students before the start of regular school. I decided to attend the San Juan River trip. The decision to attend this trip was one of the best I have ever made. It gave me the chance to meet new friends and helped feel comfortable when school did start… Today I am still great friends with a number of people from the wilderness welcome. My main group of friends is from the trip. My best friends here all attended the wilderness welcome.
—Noah R., Alaska
This summer, I made the best decision imaginable before beginning my semester here at Northern Arizona University. Attending Wilderness Welcome not only eased my anxiety about beginning college, it helped me meet new people and open doors for many possibilities in my future.
—Alysa F., Arizona
Not many people get the opportunity to go on a trip that sets them up for the next four years of their life. I can attest to the fact that I have entered Northern Arizona University more prepared and confident than I would have otherwise, had I not gone on the Wilderness Welcome trip down the San Juan River. The trip was not only a fun retreat, it also fostered a great sense of community, introduced me to good friends, and allowed me to feel confident before entering college.
—Sarah R. New Mexico
What is the Physical Challenge Scale?
Physical Challenge is meant to provide a gauge as to how much physical exertion you can expect on this trip or class. The designation does not provide any insight into recommended experience level, inherent risks on the trip, necessary course work for credit, or emotional challenges you may face (such as a fear of heights).
1 — Represents our lowest level of physical exertion while on a course, such as short hikes less than a mile without a backpack or lifting up to 30 lbs.
5 — Represents the highest level of physical exertion for our courses, such as a steep eight-mile hike out of the Grand Canyon in one day, or paddling a kayak for up to seven hours.
This scale is meant to provide guidance as you select your course, and while we encourage you to challenge yourself, we recommend that you speak with a NAU Outdoors’ representative directly if you have any uncertainty about your ability to safely complete the course.
NAU Outdoors will provide reasonable accommodations to any participant who has an interest in developing themselves through one of our offerings. Please do not assume you “can’t handle” a trip without speaking with us.
Contact Us
NAU Outdoors
PO Box 5773
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
928-523-3229
outdoors@nau.edu