Wilderness Orientation
Wilderness Orientation is optional, but it has some great benefits. We are offering four different trips to different locations. See below for these great options.
EPIC ADVENTURE, DEEP FRIENDSHIPS, HOLISTIC GROWTH
Share an amazing and memorable adventure in a remarkable wilderness setting. Learn wilderness skills and participate in service-learning. Reflect on God’s kingdom, live in intentional community, and leave having made meaningful and lasting relationships.
If you love adventure, the outdoors, and trying new and exciting things, Wilderness Orientation is for you—no previous wilderness experience needed! All that’s required is a willingness to try new things, a positive outlook, and good physical health. After reading about this year's trip options, register using the button below to secure your place!
2021 Wilderness Trips
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Base Camp Adventure (August 8–15) - OPEN
- This epic adventure is a multi-element trip, you will spend each day doing an amazing actives. 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 our first college friends. 20 Spots available; Cost $450
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Pictured Rocks National Park Backpacking (August 18–25) - OPEN
- 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. 22 Spots available; Cost $575
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North Channel Sea Kayaking and Climbing (August 18–25) - OPEN
- 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 in length, 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. Passport or enhanced driver’s license required. 22 Spots available; Cost $575
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Red River Gorge Rock Climbing Course (August 18–25) - OPEN
- 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 instructed through 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. 10 Spots available; Cost $575
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Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore Multi-Element Expedition (August 18–25) - OPEN
- 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 4-5-day light-weight 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, comprehensive backpacking skills, dunes, coastal trails, beautiful beaches, and manageable daily hiking distances. The expedition concludes with 2 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. 22 Spots Available; Cost $575
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Upper Peninsula Mountain Bike and Multi-Element Course (August 18–25) - OPEN
- New this year, 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 will spend 3 days in Marquette, MI, students will have a chance to bike the extent of the NTN Trail Systems. Students will also spend 2 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. 10 Spots available; Cost $575
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