Choosing a Trip
You will experience many new things in college, and OA is a great place to begin that exploration. Feel free to try out something you have never done before and that could be a challenge. No adventure requires previous experience, but several do require you to be in good cardiovascular condition, and some trips may leave you mildly sore from repetitive motions such as paddling. Your choice should be tempered by a realistic assessment of your fitness level and background.
Chances are that several OA trips appeal to you. Which ones would you enjoy the most? To help you compare adventures and make a more informed decision, we have provided summary information about different aspects of the trips in charts below. When you sign up, you will have the opportunity to rank each trip in order of your preference. It is important to find at least three trips that you would enjoy rather than setting your heart on a single adventure, as we cannot guarantee placement on your first-choice trip. We do guarantee the placement of students with mobility or other limitations on trips that allow them to participate in OA and are happy to make necessary accommodations wherever possible.
| Notes: Only activities common to several adventures are shown below. Please see trip descriptions for more information about planned activities. | |||||
| Adventure | Hiking | Swimming | Biking | Snorkeling | Paddling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camp OA | Possible** | Yes* | Possible** | No | No |
| Bike/Climb | Yes & Climb | No | Yes | No | No |
| Community Engagement | Yes | Possible** | No | Possible** | Possible** |
| River Adventure | Possible** | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Lake Adventure | Yes | Yes | Possible** | No | Yes |
| Sequoia | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Sea Kayaking | Yes | Yes | No | Possible** | Yes |
| Beach | Possible** | Yes | Possible** | Possible** | Possible** |
| Surfing | Possible** | Yes | No | Possible** | Possible** |
| Yosemite | Yes | Yes* | Possible** | No | No |
| Backpacking | Yes | Possible** | No | No | No |
| * Swimming is optional on these trips and can be unobtrusively avoided. ** "Possible" indicates that an activity is either at the group's discretion or may be included. |
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| Notes: For trips utilizing sleeping bags, we recommend bringing along a thin foam or inflatable pad for additional comfort. Sleeping bags and pads are available free of charge to participants in the Backpacking and Camping trips. | |||||
| Adventure | Sleeping Arrangements | Showers | Toilets | Electricity | Store* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camp OA | Bed in Camp Dorm Room | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bike/Climb | Sleeping Bag in Tent | No | Yes | No | No |
| Community Engagement | Sleeping Bag in Tent | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Sequoia | Sleeping Bag in Tent | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| River Adventure | Sleeping Bag in Tent | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Lake Adventure | Sleeping Bag in Tent | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Sea Kayaking | Sleeping Bag in Tent | No | No | No | No |
| Beach | Sleeping Bag in Tent | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Surfing | Sleeping Bag in Tent | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Yosemite | Sleeping Bag in Tent | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Backpacking | Sleeping Bag in Tent | No | No | No | No |
| * "Store" in this context indicates any place where you can buy basic goods that you may have forgotten to bring along, such as chapstick or additional snacks. |
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| Notes: For trips utilizing sleeping bags, we recommend bringing along a thin foam or inflatable pad for additional comfort. Sleeping bags and pads are available free of charge to participants in the Backpacking and Camping trips. | |||||
| Adventure | Cardiovascular exertion (1-5) | Musculoskeletal exertion (1-5)* | Altitude Sickness** | Sea Sickness | Heat Sickness*** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camp OA | 2 | 2 | None | None | Low |
| Lake Adventure | 4-5 | 3 | Low | Low | Moderate |
| Community Engagement | 2 | 2 | Low | Low | Moderate |
| Sequoia | 3 | 3 | Moderate | Low | Low |
| Bike/Climb | 4-5 | 3 | Low | Low | Moderate |
| River Adventure | 4-5 | 3 | Low | Moderate | Moderate |
| Sea Kayaking | 4 | 4 | None | Moderate | Moderate |
| Beach | 3 | 2 | None | Low | Moderate |
| Surfing | 3-4 | 2 | None | Low | Moderate |
| Yosemite | 3-4 | 3 | Moderate | None | Low |
| Backpacking | 4-5 | 4-5 | Mod-High | None | Moderate |
| * Activities requiring significant musculoskeletal exertion include carrying a pack, paddling a kayak, surfing and negotiating a challenge/ropes course. ** Symptoms of altitude sickness can include light-headedness, headache, nausea and/or vomiting. Hydration and good cardiovascular conditioning reduce the risk of sickness. In the past, roughly one in ten students on high altitude trips experienced mild to moderate altitude sickness, with symptoms subsiding after traveling to lower elevation. *** Symptoms of head sickness can include fatigue and cramps. Hydration, good cardiovascular conditioning and proper attire can help reduce the risk of heat related symptoms. |
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| Notes: The ratings below are necessarily subjective and may vary from your own preferences. Driving times are subject to traffic conditions - welcome to Southern California! | |||||
| Adventure | Wild and Scenic Views (1-5) | Rustic Experience (1-5) | City/Town Experience (1-5) | Transportation | Approximate Hours on the Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camp OA | 2 | 1 | 2 | Charter Bus | 5 |
| Lake Adventure | 4 | 4 | 2 | Charter Bus | 8-10 |
| Community Engagement | 2 | 3 | 5 | Charter Bus | 4 |
| Bike/Climb | 5 | 5 | 1 | Charter Bus | 3-4 |
| River Adventure | 4 | 4 | 3 | Charter Bus | 5-6 |
| Sea Kayaking | 5 | 5 | 1 | Charter Bus | 6 |
| Beach | 3 | 3 | 2 | Charter Bus | 6 |
| Surfing | 3 | 3 | 2 | Charter Bus | 6 |
| Yosemite | 5 | 4 | 1 | Charter Bus | 12 |
| Sequoia | 5 | 4 | 1 | Charter Bus | 10 |
| Backpacking | 5 | 5 | 1 | Charter Bus | 10 |