This is an opportunity to smooth the transition into college life as well as establish a network of friends on campus that enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Together, you will explore some of the most beautiful natural places in Northern California.

Experience is certainly not required. All you need for the 6-day trips is enthusiasm and readiness for adventure. For the extended trip, prior experience is recommended, though people of all abilities are welcome and should expect to be challenged.

Actually, the SOAR (Sonoma Orientation, Advising and Registration) program is your time to set up your class schedule and ask academic questions. WWP is an additional, social orientation that will be extremely beneficial to your overall experience. We set up our two 6-day trips corresponding with SOAR dates to make it extra easy on you to do both.

Come with an open mind to enjoy some good time with people who enjoy adventure as much as you do. You will make friends who are transitioning together into this new culture and create a foundation for happiness in college.

WWP and Outdoor Pursuits, practice Leave No Trace ethics and stick to a NO drugs, alcohol or tobacco rule on all of our adventures. In keeping with our striving for sustainability and low impact for the planet and our bodies, we buy and eat organic and vegetarian meals.

The fee for each trip covers round-trip transportation, food, trip guidance, group gear (tents, stoves, backpacks, sleeping bag/ pad, cookware...), activity and outfitter fees and your very own Wilderness Welcome t-shirt! Your own personal gear is not included and a list of necessary gear will be sent along with your confirmation packet.

The leaders are outdoor leaders that are a part of the Campus Recreation community. They are all Wilderness First Aid certified and are great resources for Sonoma State and a community of active people. They all have had their own experience at SSU that they can share with you and hopefully ease the transition and answer some of your questions.

There will be an emergency contact list included in the confirmation packet once you are registered. This will include emergency numbers for Daisy Meyer, the coordinator, as well as emergency contacts for any outfitters we will contract out. You will also have a fairly specific itinerary as well, so they can know where you are.

In general, since we are setting a lot of things up in advance our cancellation policy will be as follows: Full refund with 40 days notice prior to the course starting date; 50% refund with 25-39 days notice; no refund with fewer than 25 days notice, even if due to last-minute illness or injury.

We are continually trying to give back to the planet that we all take so much from. So, not only is it impractical to take meat on backpacking trips, but we choose an all vegetarian and organic food plan for all of thee WWP trips as well as Outdoor Pursuits. This is a conscious choice to lessen the impact we make on the planet as well as our bodies.