Wilderness Orientation
2021 Wilderness Trips
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Base Camp Adventure (August 8–13)
24 Spots Open - 19 Spots Taken- This epic adventure is a multi-element trip; you will spend each day doing amazing activities. Based on Stoney Lake, this trip is the best of both worlds: experience adventure and the wilderness but have the comforts of home (toilets, beds and homecooked food). Day trips will include a day paddling on the White River, a day biking on the Hart-Montague Bicycle Trail, a day at Lake Michigan, a day at camp doing high ropes and zip lines, and so much more. This amazing trip is a great fit if you love the outdoors but still want some comforts of home. You will build some amazing relationships and make some of your first college friends. Cost $450
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Pictured Rocks Backpacking (August 18–25)
22 Spots Open - 17 Spots Taken- Students that select this course will backpack the entire Pictured Rocks coastline from Munising Falls to the AuSable Light Station. Packs will be light, and the permitted sites are set with manageable hiking distances. Reserved backcountry campsites feature wildly scenic cliff top overlooks! Pictured Rocks features staggering cliffs, constant views of Lake Superior, multiple waterfalls, ancestral dunes, and diverse wildlife. This course may include one or more of the following: climbing/rappelling, rock jumping, river canoeing, or sea kayaking. Cost $575
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North Channel Sea Kayaking & Climbing (August 18–25)
22 Spots Open - 22 Spots Taken (TRIP FULL)- On this course, students will embark together on a self-supported sea kayak paddle expedition through the historic North Channel of northern Lake Huron. Although the route is 50 miles, students will enjoy manageable paddling distances and time for island exploration. Along the way students will camp on granite islands and peninsulas, climb and rappel a rock face that drops 60 feet to the water below, and gain the skills needed to safely travel and live out of their sea kayak for a week. A North Channel sea kayaking expedition is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Calvin students. A passport or enhanced driver’s license is required. Cost $575
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Red River Gorge Rock Climbing (August 18–25)
10 Spots Open - 2 Spots Taken- The Red River Gorge is the most famous sport climbing destination in the United States. The beauty of the Red River National Geological Area creates a stunning backdrop to this course. Base camping out of Natural Bridge State Park, students will climb, hike, explore, and rappel every day. Each day, leaders will set routes appropriate to the ability of the climbers from 5.6 to 5.11. Climbers will be taught about site safety, belay technique, face and crack climbing, and safe rappelling technique. All students will participate in a half-day service project in the Muir Valley Climbing Preserve. Each day will finish with plenty of group time and hearty meals in well-shaded campsites next to a serene creek. Cost $575
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Sleeping Bear Lakeshore Multi-Element Expedition (August 18–25)
22 Spots Open - 12 Spots Taken- Students that select this course will river canoe, backpack, and road cycle. Students will begin with a full day on the Pine River. The Pine River is Michigan finest and fastest Wild and Scenic River. Students will then gear up for and complete a four- to five-day lightweight backpacking circumnavigation of North Manitou Island in the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. This island expedition features a scenic ferry ride out of historic Leland across the Manitou Passage. You'll experience dunes, coastal trails, beautiful beaches, and manageable daily hiking distances. The expedition concludes with two nights of camping at Wilderness State Park on the Straits of Mackinaw. Students will complete a 50–60-mile road cycle route along the Northern Lake Michigan Coast through the Tunnel of Trees. This route is known as one of the top 10 most beautiful road cycling routes in the United States. Cost $575
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Upper Peninsula Mountain Bike & Multi-Element (August 18–25)
10 Spots Open - 6 Spots Taken- For the first time, Calvin Wilderness Orientation will offer a trip targeted at mountain bikers. The U.P. of Michigan is now nationally known for its mountain bike trail development. The trip includes three days in Marquette, Mich. Students will have a chance to bike the extent of the NTN Trail Systems. Students will also spend two days riding the Copper Mountain Trail system at the northern tip of the Upper Peninsula. This trip will include time hiking at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and may also include opportunities for rock climbing, rappelling, rock jumping, or sea kayaking. Cost $575
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