Winter Break Trips

Join us for one of four trips:

  • Backpacking in the Grand Canyon – Dec. 10-18, 2022
    • Spend your trip exploring the depths of the Grand Canyon! You’ll hike with your gear to the bottom of the canyon, explore on trail for a few days, and then hike back up to the rim of the canyon. Awesome desert and canyon views guaranteed!
  • Coastal Sea Kayaking at Tybee Island in Georgia – Dec. 4-12, 2022 (tentative date, subject to change)
    • Explore the coastal waters of Georgia, sleep on islands and sandy beaches, and learn some new paddling skills. Some paddling experience recommended for this 5-day, 4-night paddling trip.
  • Wilderness Canoeing in Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge in Georgia – Dec 4-12, 2022 (tentative date, subject to change)
    • Paddle through the swamps and cypress trees of Okefenokee alongside gators. Sleep on raised platforms on the river on this 5-day, 4-night water adventure.
  • Rock Climbing at Cochise Stronghold in Southern Arizona – Dec 10-18, 2022
    • Days will be filled with top-rope climbing, bouldering, and possible day hikes at one of the Southwest’s premier climbing locations!

Additional information:

  • Once the trip starts, all transportation, camping fees, permits, food, group and personal equipment, etc. will be covered by the program.
  • You will be responsible for transportation to either Phoenix, AZ for the southwest trips or Atlanta, GA for the southeast trips (gas and/or flight costs are not included in the trip cost).
  • Students flying to the meeting locations are required to meet with the Outdoor Programs Directors prior to purchasing tickets in order to purchase flights to the correct airport and during a time and day where drivers can pick you up. Further information and guidelines will be provided for students who register for the trips.
  • The program will provide all group equipment, including activity equipment (climbing shoes/harness/helmets, PFDs/boats/paddles, etc), tents, stoves. Personal items, including a backpack, sleeping pad, sleeping bag and some other items (such as rain gear, hiking boots, etc.) can be checked out from the Gear Room at no additional cost.
  • Online registration for the trips will be announced ahead of time. There will be limited spots for each trip. After registering, students will be required to pay the trip cost by 5 pm the next day to secure their spot on the trip. A waiting list will be created – if someone who is registered cancels, the spot will be opened to the individuals on the waiting list in the order the waiting list requests were received.
  • Trip itineraries below are subject to change.
  • Cost: $70 due by 5pm the business day after registration, by cash, check, or credit.

Registration Information

  • Registration will open on Tuesday, October 11th at 9 pm. It is first come, first serve.
  • You will receive confirmation from the Outdoor Programs Directors of what trip you are signed up for or your position on a waiting list within a day of submitting the registration form. Please note that due to high interest, you may not end up on your first choice trip and you may end up on a waiting list for a trip.
  • Because you fill out the registration form does not guarantee you a spot on a trip. You will receive confirmation if you are on a trip or on a waiting list.
  • If you receive confirmation that you are on a trip, you will have until 5 pm the next day to complete the $70 payment in order to confirm your spot on the trip.
  • If a spot opens on a trip, it will be offered to people on the waiting list in the order that they have registered.

Trip Itinerary: Coastal Sea Kayaking – Tybee Island, GA

December 4-12
12/6: Meet at Atlanta airport, drive to campsite for the night
12/7: Drive to Tybee Island, GA
12/8 – 12/12: Paddle Tybee Island, camp on islands off the coast of Georgia
12/13: Potential day at the beach, return rental gear, etc.
12/14: Depart trip from Atlanta airport

Trip Itinerary: Canoeing at Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge, GA

December 4-12
12/6: Meet at Atlanta airport, drive to campsite for the night
12/7: Drive to Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge, GA, Paddle training at campground
12/8 – 12/12: Exploring the swamps of Okefenokee, paddling past gators, paddling through rivers and cypress, camping on platforms at night 
12/13: Potential beach day on the coast, Return to Atlanta, GA area, Return rental gear, etc. 
12/14: Depart trip from Atlanta airport

Trip Itinerary: Rock Climbing in Southern Arizona

December 10-18
12/10: Meet trip at Phoenix airport
12/11 – 12/17: Days will be a mix of top-rope rock climbing, bouldering, day-hikes, and exploring the surrounding area of Cochise Stronghold
12/18: Depart from trip from Phoenix airport

Trip Itinerary: Backpacking at Grand Canyon National Park

December 10-18
12/10: Meet trip at Phoenix airport
12/11: Travel to Grand Canyon National Park, camp on the rim of the canyon
12/12-16: Backpack into, through, and up out of the canyon
12/17: Travel back to Phoenix area
12/18: Depart trip from Phoenix airport

Trip questions can be sent to OutdoorPrograms@kzoo.edu