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What is W.O.A.!?
Wilderness Orientation Adventure is a student-run program (partially subsidized by ASCMC) designed to welcome incoming students to Claremont McKenna and ease the transition into life at CMC. Through a shared experience in the best of California's wilderness, students form long-lasting friendships that provide a great starting point for their first year at CMC.

Current students and a member of the faculty or alumni lead W.O.A.! Participants to a wide variety of wilderness destinations. All trips are coed with both male and female student leaders. W.O.A.! Trips are a fantastic way to introduce yourself to your new community!

Who can participate?
We encourage all incoming students to participate in one of several exciting programs. However, there are a limited number of spaces available for each trip. Spaces will be filled in the order the applications are received so submit your check and application soon to ensure a spot on your first choice trip. Responses will be accepted until July 18.

Student athletes who will be participating in Men's and Women's Soccer, Volleyball, or Football are unable to participate as coaches have scheduled practices during this time. International students are also unable to participate in W.O.A.! Because their orientation overlaps with wilderness orientation trips.

Arriving at CMC
Students participating in WOA! Must arrive at CMC on Saturday, August 23 between noon and 5 p.m. Student leaders will greet participants at the Ontario airport baggage claim and shuttle them back to campus. Students who are unable to arrive at the Ontario airport must locate their own transportation to the college. Students will spend Saturday night on campus and leave for their respective destinations Sunday morning (except LA Trip). Belongings not being taken on their adventure can be placed in the student's fall room, but Saturday night will be spent as a group. The adventure comes to an end Wednesday as trips return to campus and participants prepare for a more suburban adventure…On-Campus Orientation! If your family plans to participate in On-Campus Orientation, they can join you on Thursday, August 28.

How much does W.O.A.! Cost?
The cost to participate in Wilderness Orientation Adventure is $300. The full amount is due with the attached application. Please make checks payable to Claremont McKenna College/WOA! The price includes park fees, transportation, food, use of group equipment, and other miscellaneous costs.

What should I bring?
Students will most likely be bringing to college the items needed for their trip. More specific items such as sleeping bags and backpacks are available for a small rental fee. Once accepted, you will receive a packet detailing your trip and the items you will need.

Do I need lots of experience?
No, all students should be able to find a trip suited to their particular skill level and interest. The trips have been designed to accommodate a wide range of experience levels; we encourage you to look over the trip descriptions and find the adventure that is best for you. All participants will be encouraged to participate in-group tasks, such as cooking and cleaning, and will be expected to contribute during group activities. Additionally, W.O.A.! Participants and leaders will be expected to follow environmentally friendly, leave-no-trace practices during their time in the outdoors. Student and faculty leaders will enthusiastically share their wilderness and Urban knowledge and camping guidelines with all participants.

Student and Faculty Leaders
W.O.A.! Trips comprise of 3-5 leaders per 12-20 participants. Each trip has at least one male and one female student leader. Student leaders participate in mandatory training prior to the trips in order to ensure safety and well-run adventures. Each trip has at least one student leader who is certified in basic first aid.

Beach Camping - (THIS IS FULL). Explore some of Southern California's premier coastal locales such as the popular tourist destinations on Catalina Island or the more urban, sunny sand dunes and city sights of San Diego. Beach Camping activities include sea kayaking, snorkeling, and beautiful coastal day hikes. Students must be able to swim to join one of our beach camping adventures.

Canoeing - If you have an inclination for a more strenuous water adventure, you may be interested in joining our Colorado River canoeing trip. Students will canoe 10 to 15 miles a day, paddling from Needles, CA to Lake Havasu City, AZ, passing through Topock Gorge and camping along the river's shore each night. Temperatures will be hot, but the river water is refreshingly cool and the beautiful scenery of Topock Gorge is unbeatable. No previous canoeing experience is necessary, but students must be capable swimmers.

Backpacking - Students interested in a more intense outdoor experience enjoy one of our backpacking adventures. Trips to Yosemite and Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks will hike through 5 to 8 miles of incredible scenery per day, enjoying the spectacular glacier-carved backcountry, breathtaking vistas, and giant sequoia groves of these amazing national treasures. No experience is required for the Yosemite and Sequoia adventures.

Camping - If you're looking to experience the outdoors at a more laid back pace, then our Yosemite and Sequoia camping trips are the perfect choice. From the group's base camp, students will enjoy all of the popular destinations in two of America's most popular parks. Activities include swimming and perhaps canoeing or kayaking in local lakes and streams, exploring local caves, hiking to beautiful nearby peaks, and fun campfire activities at night. Our camping groups are typically the largest, so students can get to know even more of their fellow classmates.

Rock Climbing - Those of you interested in combining backpacking with rock climbing will find what you are looking for on the Yosemite climbing trip. This adventure will take students through the backcountry of Yosemite where they will have the opportunity to enjoy both the excellent hiking and world class climbing that this remarkable park has to offer. No previous climbing experience is necessary for this trip, but students should be prepared for a challenging experience.

Los Angeles Sightseeing - Back by popular demand. A sightseeing trip to one of the world's most exciting cities, Los Angeles, Ca. Take a Metro train to Olvera Street and discover the beginning of Los Angeles. We will explore the unique culture of Los Angeles through day trips based at CMC. Students will have the opportunity to discover the allure of the distinctive culture of LA urbanites, enjoying an array of activities only offered in Southern California. The group will bond while visiting sites such as Venice Beach, The Getty Museum and the Santa Monica Pier, in addition going on tours of Hollywood, Beverly Hills and surrounding areas.

Big Bear - A new addition to the program this year is the Big Bear Adventure. Big Bear Lake is less than 2 hours east of Claremont. Students will divide the time between hiking, horseback riding, fishing and bicycling through the wonderful scenery of the most popular sights in southern California. This trip is a great way to experience the great outdoors and make new friends while camping in beautiful San Bernardino mountains.