Dickinson College is located in Cumberland Valley, Pennsylvania, home to a section of the Appalachian Trail just miles from campus, world-renowned trout creeks, and historic state forests. Outdoor Education at Dickinson aims to introduce outdoor recreation opportunities and make them accessible to Dickinson students, faculty, and staff.
Outdoor Education programs include Wilderness Introduction to Life at Dickinson (WILD) pre-orientation programs, the GearBox (outdoor gear rental), and leadership and skills workshops.
WILD Pre-Orientation
Wilderness Introduction to Life at Dickinson (WILD) Explore More programs allow incoming first-year students to interact with their new backyard by exploring backpacking trails and campsites in the Cumberland Valley. WILD provides students with the space to build lasting relationships, enhance outdoor skills, and gain an appreciation for the natural world as they explore their home at Dickinson.
Program Overview
The WILD program is one of the Explore More programs offered through New Student Programs. Incoming first-year students will learn about registering for the programs through communications about orientation and on the orientation website.
Since its inaugural year in 2014, WILD has offered a variety of trips and has grown in its number of participants. We are excited to continue to develop and grow with each year that passes!
Each WILD trip differs in location and activity. Past trips have included white water rafting in Ohiopyle, PA, backpacking in the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, and rock climbing and caving in West Virginia. The trips are meant to challenge first years with new activities and experiences while supporting their transition into life at Dickinson. All WILD trips are led by WILD Leaders, students who have undergone months of preparation and training. Through WILD, you will learn new outdoor skills, make new friends, and have questions answered while enjoying Pennsylvania's fantastic recreational opportunities.
WILD Leaders
Each fall, we seek passionate first-years, sophomores, and juniors to join the new generation of WILD Leaders, who become trained in various outdoor skills and lead the WILD Pre-Orientation / Explore More trips. The application process to become a WILD Leader takes place each November.
WILD Leaders join a community of outdoor lovers and enthusiasts. Together, we prepare for our programs over four months by training on topics such as Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace / Outdoor Ethics, Bear and Weather Safety, and more. Leaders exit this training with the interpersonal and outdoor skills necessary to lead successful WILD trips, providing an incredible outdoor and transition experience for all first-year participants.
GearBox
Open to all Dickinson students, faculty, and staff free of charge, the Gearbox has the equipment to make your next outdoor recreation trip a memory that will last a lifetime. Items available for rent include backpacking packs, daypacks, sleeping bags and pads, tents, headlights, and so much more! We are located in the HUB Underground and have weekly office hours. For more information about current hours and the form to request equipment, head to Engaged.
Outdoor House
The Outdoor House is one of several Special Interest Houses. Their purpose is to serve as a center for outdoor education at Dickinson. The house will serve to consolidate the various branches of outdoor recreation and education at Dickinson into one place with the desire to create, improve upon, and execute new outdoor education initiatives. We will also serve as an open and inclusive space for any students interested in outdoor recreation with the hope of fostering good outdoor skills and an appreciation for the natural world.
Outing Club
Dickinson College Outing Club (DCOC) aims to get as many people outdoors as possible. The club is a resource for the entire Dickinson community to explore the natural world around campus. DCOC will host frequent trips and on-campus events related to the outdoors. Activities include hiking, camping, climbing, canoeing, trail running, rafting, and more.