Newsletter

• Check out the Outdoor Action Open House on Tuesday, September 22 from 7:30 - 9:30 PM in the Whig Hall Lounge.
• Sign up for upcoming OA trips and activities
• OA will have videos, equipment and demos on rock climbing, kayaking, and more.
• Learn how to become an OA Leader.
• Get involved with OA’s Community Service Program!
• OA Community Service Open House on Thursday, September 24 from 7:30 - 8:30 PM in the West Room of Murray Dodge.

THE OUTDOOR ACTION PROGRAM

Welcome to the first Outdoor Action Newsletter of the ’98 - ’99 academic year. The newsletter is published on the World Wide Web to provide information about upcoming trips and programs. A hard copy of the newsletter is also available to subscribers (jump to http://outdooraction/news/subscribe.html). The Outdoor Action Program (OA) is Princeton University’s outdoor, experiential education program. Here’s just some of what OA has to offer. For more details on OA activities jump to OA Activities.

• OA runs a wide variety of wilderness-oriented trips, seminars, and training courses throughout the year that are open to all Princeton University students, faculty, and staff and families.
• OA trips include hiking, backpacking, canoeing, rock climbing, kayaking, cross-country skiing, winter camping, and other activities, a number of which may be accessible for disabled individuals. (Contact the Program Director for additional information.) There is a modest fee for trips to cover transportation, food, and equipment costs.
• OA has a comprehensive Leader Training Program for those interested in developing their outdoor leadership skills and in leading Outdoor Action trips.
• OA has an indoor Rock Climbing Wall and an Adventure Course on campus.
• OA has an equipment rental program for persons interested in going on their own trips.
• The OA Web Site is your passport to a wealth of information about OA activities and wilderness recreation information.

Signing Up for an OA Trip: Since many trips have space limitations we require participants to sign up in advance. The sign-ups for all OA trips are on the OA Bulletin Board at the Outdoor Action Office located on the second floor of Clio Hall. Most sign-ups are done on a first-come-first-served basis. We do maintain a waiting list for trips and will contact you if a space opens up. With some activities the sign-up is an interest list and participants are randomly selected off the list. OA Leaders and Leaders-in-training may be given preference for some trip activities. For multi-day trips or courses, you are required to pay the full fee in advance (check, cash or billed to your University account). For cash or checks, we will hold your space for 24 hours after you sign up (due the next business day). There are different trip fee rates for students (undergraduate and graduate) and faculty and staff.

OA Trip Information Hotline: For the latest information on upcoming OA trips and programs, call the OA Trip Information Hotline at 8-6417. The recorded message will describe upcoming trips and programs for each week. You can also check out "This Week in OA" on the OA Home Page.

OA Newsletter via Email and the Web: The OA Newsletter is mailed to subscribers and sent via Email. The detailed version of the Newsletter is available at the OA Web Site. If you wish to receive the OA Newsletter, jump to http://outdooraction/news/subscribe.html. If you wish to be removed from the OA Newsletter email list, please send return to the subscribe page on the Web. The complete OA Newsletter is available on-line on the OA Web Site (www.princeton.edu/~oa/).

Surf the Internet with OA: The OA Web Site is one of the most popular outdoor sites in the country with over 12,000 hits a week. One of the hottest pages at the OA Web is the OA Guide to Outdoor Resources on the Internet with links to over 500 outdoor-related sites including climbing, paddling, backpacking, biking, skiing, etc. You can access the OA Home Page at (www.princeton.edu/~oa/).

OA Activities

OA will be offering a number of day trips to provide opportunities for everyone from beginners to advanced participants. Fees for the trips vary depending on the activity and location. Trip fees can be paid by cash, check, or be billed to your University account. On full-day trips, participants should provide their own lunch. All other equipment and transportation will be provided by OA. Sign up for all trips at the OA Office on the second floor of Clio Hall. We are working on developing Web-based registration for all trips.

Canoeing & Kayaking

Beginners Kayaking - Flatwater to Whitewater Course: OA is offering a comprehensive beginning whitewater kayaking course. The course begins with basic flatwater paddling stokes and techniques on Lake Carnegie. We then work on maneuvers like Eddy Turns, Peel Outs, and Ferries on moving water. After mastering these skills we head to the river for work on basic river running techniques on easy rapids. The course will meet on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 4:30 - 6:30 PM: September 29, October 1, 6, and 8. There also will be two required River Trips on Sunday, October 4 and Sunday, October 11 from 12:00 - 5:00 PM. The first class on September 29 will be a kayaking video in followed by a practice session with the kayaks in Dillon Pool. Course fee: students $60.00, faculty/staff $90.00, OA Leaders $30.00. All equipment will be provided by OA.

Beginners Whitewater Canoeing Course: OA is offering a comprehensive beginners whitewater canoeing course. We begin with basic flatwater and stroke skills on Lake Carnegie and then move to moving water and easy whitewater maneuvers like Eddy Turns, Peel Outs, and Ferries. The course will meet on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 4:30 - 6:30 PM on September 28, 30, October 5, and 7 with a River Trip on Sunday, October 11 from 12:00 - 5:00 PM. You don’t need any prior experience to take this course. Course fee: students $60.00, faculty/staff $90.00, OA Leaders $30.00. All equipment will be provided by OA.

Intermediate Whitewater Kayaking Course - Surfing and Beyond: If you are an intermediate whitewater paddler with a good Eskimo Roll, this course will help you expand your paddling skills. The course will use local play rapids to focus on advanced stroke work, surfing, boat control, and rodeo moves. The course will meet on Friday afternoons from 3:30 - 6:30 PM on September 25, and October 2, and 9. You should plan to come to the Retendo Video on Monday, September 28 at 7:30 in McCosh 2 (45 minutes). All equipment will be provided by OA. Course fee: students $45.00, faculty/staff $60.00, OA Leaders $25.00. There is a $10 equipment discount if you have your own kayak.

Intermediate Whitewater Kayaking Trips: For experienced whitewater paddlers there will be several Intermediate Whitewater Kayaking Trips. There are scheduled dam releases to guarantee good water levels. The trip is limited to people who have previous whitewater experience at the Class II - III level. All equipment (wetsuits, PFD, helmet, kayak, etc.) will be provided by OA. The trip will last all day and participants should bring lunch. If you have not been on an OA paddling trip before, please fill out a paddler application detailing your previous experience (applications available at the OA Office on the 2^nd Floor of Clio Hall). Trip fee: students $18.00, faculty/staff $25.00. There is a $10 equipment discount if you have your own kayak. The trip dates will be:

Saturday, October 3 - Lehigh River, PA (Class II-III) or Mongaup River, NY (Class II)
Saturday, October 17 - Lehigh River, PA (Class II-III)

Outdoor Action and the Princeton Blairstown Center are working with a variety of schools and social service agencies to provide adventure-based experiential learning programs for at urban youth in the Mercer County area. These programs use the same model for personal and group development as on an Outdoor Action trip, building self-esteem through personal challenge. We are looking for a group of dedicated volunteers who are willing to devote their time and energy to making a difference in the lives of local youth.

OA/Blairstown Families in Training Program (FIT): Growing up today in the inner city is an incredible challenge for young people. FIT is a two-semester cooperative program between OA, the Princeton-Blairstown Center and the Imani Church in Trenton. It’s designed to help urban families deal with the challenges of the inner city through a family-based training program that meets every other week. We focus on positive family interactions, teaching communication skills, study skills, and conflict resolution. Each session includes fun group activities, a short workshop and a meal. Each Princeton student is paired with a family to help as facilitator and guide through the FIT training. Professional staff from OA, Princeton-Blairstown Center, and the Imani Church will also be on hand. This is the third year of the program, which has been very successful and is expanding to include more families. We will be having informational meeting for all prospective FIT Volunteers on Thursday, September 24 at 7:30 PM in the West Room of Murray Dodge. If you are unable to attend, please contact Chris Beeson at 8-7340 (chbeeson@princeton.edu), or Liz Pearce at 8-7596 (eapearce@princeton.edu).

LAMP - Leadership Among Multicultural Persons: This is our third year working with a multicultural group of students from Princeton High School. This dedicated group of students has taken on the challenging task of working to combat racism in the Princeton school district through innovative skits performed at local elementary schools. Our work is to help them prepare to be group facilitators for their upcoming work in local schools. We meet with them for 2 hours about every three weeks. We will be having an informational meeting for all interested students on Thursday, September 24 at 7:30 PM in the West Room of Murray Dodge. If you are interested in working with this exciting project, sign up at the OA Office on the second floor of Clio Hall.

Princeton LINKS: This new OA Community Service Program is designed to connect Princeton students with youth in the Princeton area. Princeton LINKS is a seven-week mentoring program involving Princeton students and area youth. The program links Princeton University students with young at-risk teenagers in personal one-on-one relationships in the context of dynamic adventure activities. The program is divided into three two-week modules followed by an overnight "graduation" trip to the Princeton-Blairstown Center. University students are paired with area youth through an application process. The first week of each module is a training session for the Princeton volunteers and the following week, the kids being mentored will come to campus. As an example, the first week the Princeton volunteers would spend the afternoon at the OA Climbing Wall learning how to climb and belay and how to facilitate at the Wall. The following week, the kids being mentored would come to climb at the Wall facilitated by their mentors. Other activities will include the OA Adventure Course and canoeing. The tentative dates of the program will be Saturdays from 1:00 - 5:00 PM September 26, October 3, 10, 15, 24 and the final trip to Blairstown on November 14. We will be having an informational meeting for all interested students on Thursday, September 24 at 7:30 PM in the West Room of Murray Dodge. If you are unable to attend, please contact Graham Bullock at 8-7209 (gbullock@princeton.edu)

Hiking

Mount Tammany Summit Hike: Take a break and spend a day on an exhilarating hike to the summit of Mount Tammany in the Delaware Water Gap. The hike climbs 800 feet from the Delaware River valley to the summit and back. Join us on Saturday, September 26. The trip will cover approximately 8 miles and offers spectacular views of the Delaware River. Cost will be $9.00. Participants should have sturdy walking shoes or lightweight hiking boots and should bring lunch. Trip fee: students $9.00, faculty/staff $12.00.

Exploring the New Jersey Highlands Hiking Trip: OA is offering a daylong hiking trip to the spectacular Norvin Green State Park on Saturday, October 10. The trip will cover approximately 6-8 miles and will explore ridge crests and stream gorges. Trip fee: students $9.00, faculty/staff $12.00. Participants should have sturdy walking shoes or boots and should bring lunch.

Rock Climbing

OA Climbing Wall Open House: Come down for a free afternoon of climbing and put up your own new route! The open house is Sunday, September 20 from 1:00 - 5:00 PM at the Climbing Wall located at the south end of the Armory. Skilled OA instructors will be on hand to coach you. Families with children are welcome.

OA Climbing Wall: The Outdoor Action Climbing Wall is an indoor rock climbing practice facility located in the Armory next to Jadwin Gym. The Climbing Wall allows beginners to learn basic climbing skills, while intermediate and advanced climbers can work on refining their technical abilities. There will be experienced instructors there to teach skills and assist people in solving particular climbing routes. The Climbing Wall is open only to students, faculty, and staff of Princeton University. PUID required. Children of members of the University community are allowed to climb only with a parent present. All climbers are required to sign a waiver. The Climbing Wall is the following times during the academic year except during breaks, reading period, and final exams. Open Wall hours begin on Friday, September 18.

Mondays, 4:30 - 6:30 PM
New Time! - Tuesdays, 8:00 - 10:00 PM
Wednesdays, 4:30 - 6:30 PM
Fridays, 4:30 - 6:30 PM

To climb at the Wall you can either pay for a pass each day or buy a Wall Card (a great deal if you climb more than once a week). In order to let you try this great sport "before you buy," new climbers can check out the wall for one free afternoon during open hours.

• Equipment Rental: $1.00 for harness and climbing shoes (no charge if you have your own)
• Day Pass: $3.00 students, $5.00 faculty/staff
• Half-semester Wall Pass: $20.00 students, $27.00 faculty/staff
• Semester Wall Pass: $40.00 students, $55.00 faculty/staff

In order to purchase a card you must have your University ID. Cards can be purchased at the Climbing Wall. Payment is by cash, checks or University billing.

Belaying Classes & Climber Authorization: OA offers free belaying classes for new climbers to give you instruction on how to properly tie-in and belay. Belay classes are offered at 5:00 PM each day during regular Wall hours on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. You should check in by 4:45 PM to get a harness. Only individuals who have passed the belaying course are eligible to belay at the Wall. For more information on belaying check out the OA Guide to Belaying at the Climbing Wall.

Off-hours Climbing: Climbers who have been tested and authorized by the Climbing Wall staff are eligible to climb at the Wall during off-hours. To be authorized you must have passed the Belaying Class and demonstrate proficiency in rope handling and setup. Off-hour climbers are required to purchase a Wall Pass. Please note that off-hours climbing is not permitted during scheduled Climbing Classes (Tuesdays & Thursdays from 4:30 - 6:30 PM).

Rock Climbing Day Trips: Rock Climbing gives you a chance to challenge yourself both physically and mentally as you steadily work your way up a cliff face. OA is offering a number of Rock Climbing Day Trips designed to teach beginners basic climbing and rappelling skills and allow intermediate climbers to refine their climbing techniques. OA provides you with all the instruction and equipment to explore this exciting sport. No previous climbing experience is necessary. Course fee: students $15.00, faculty/staff $20.00. The trips will last all day and participants should bring lunch. In order for you to get the most climbing in, you are strongly urged to go down to the Climbing Wall one of the afternoons before your trip to learn how to use a sit harness and how to belay (see the Climbing Wall above). The schedule for trips will be as follows:

Saturday, September 26
Sunday, October 4
Saturday, October 17

Cliff Rescue Course: For advanced climbers who are doing top roping or leading, basic cliff rescue skills should be part of your training. This one-day workshop with AMGA certified guides will teach you the basic techniques of cliff rescue such as tying off a climber, and raising and lowering techniques. Date to be announced. Course fee: Students $119.00, OA Leaders $60.00, faculty/staff $150.00.

Introduction to Rock Climbing Course: If you are interested in learning to rock climb, then this 3-week course will teach you all the essential techniques of climbing, including tying in and belaying and specific climbing techniques like weight shifting, stemming, and laybacks. The course will meet on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 4:30 - 6:30 PM at the Climbing Wall on September 24, 29, October 1, 6, and 8 with a day Rock Climbing Field trip on Saturday, October 10. Course fee: Students $65.00, faculty/staff $90.00.

Top Rope Climbing Techniques Course: If you are serious about rock climbing then you need to learn the details of setting up top rope climbing systems. The Top Rope Climbing Techniques Course covers climbing hardware, rope care, tying into natural anchors, equalizing loads, rappelling, and advanced belay techniques. The course will meet Tuesday and Thursdays from 4:30 - 6:30 PM at the Climbing Wall on October 13, 15, 20 and 22 with a full day field trip on Saturday, October 24 to practice top rope setup at a local climbing area. Course fee: students $65.00, OA Leaders $35.00, faculty/staff $90.00. Participants must have completed the Introduction to Rock Climbing Course or be competent with basic climbing and belaying skills.

Top Rope Climbing Instructor Certification: If you already have extensive experience in Top Rope Climbing, you may be eligible to become and OA Climbing Instructor. In order to be qualified you should have solid experience in setting up top rope climbs and in teaching belaying and basic climbing skills. Please fill out a Climbing Instructors Application available at the OA Office or on the Web. You would need to also attend the Top Rope Climbing Course Field Trip on Saturday, October 24 to demonstrate your top rope setup skills at a local climbing area.

Natural History

Fall Hawk Migration Trip: The annual fall hawk migration is one of nature’s most spectacular events. Each fall thousands of hawks, falcons, and eagles feel the call and begin their annual migration south. The Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is located at a gap along the Kittatinny Mountains in Pennsylvania. This gap provides an easy spot for the birds to cross the ridge and they do so by the thousands. On average, more than 24,000 birds of 14 species pass through Hawk Mountain at different periods, including bald eagles, golden eagles, ospreys, falcons, broad-winged hawks, Cooper’s hawks, and red-tailed hawks. Join us on Saturday, October 3. Bring binoculars or a spotting scope, if you have one, and lunch. This is a wonderful opportunity to watch the fall migration and learn about bird identification and a great trip for faculty and staff with kids. Trip fee: students $8.00, faculty/staff $11.00 and there is a $5.00 park entrance fee. Sign up at the OA office for this once-a-year event.

Wilderness Seminar Programs

Outdoor Safety Management Workshop: An important part of being comfortable in the wilderness is safety, knowing how to plan trips properly and how to evaluate potential risks. This seminar is designed to make all wilderness travelers familiar with how to plan safe wilderness trips and how to avoid accidents during the trip by monitoring environmental and human factor hazards. The Dynamics of Accidents Model that will be taught is used by outdoor professionals around the world. All OA Leaders must attend this seminar once. No advanced sign-up is required. For more information check out the OA Guide to Outdoor Safety Management. Free and open to the public. The seminar will be held on the following dates:

Monday, September 28, from 7:30 - 9:30 PM in McCosh 2
Tuesday, October 6, from 7:30 - 9:30 PM in McCosh 60
Wednesday, October 14, from 7:30 - 9:30 PM in McCosh 64
Monday, November 2, 7:30 - 9:30 PM in McCosh 2

Kayak 101 Video: If you are learning whitewater kayaking or canoeing, this excellent video provides an in depth look at the basic skills of working with moving water and currents. Join us on Tuesday, October 6 at 7:30 in McCosh 66. (45 minutes)

Retendo Video: Surfing, cartwheels, whip-its, retendos—all the wild moves of whitewater rodeo paddlers are carefully demonstrated and explained in this excellent video. If you are yearning to ride the curl, join us on Monday, September 28 at 7:30 in McCosh 2. (45 minutes)

Performance Rock Climbing: Watch and absorb the skills, techniques and approaches that help top men and women climbers from around the world succeed on the hardest climbs. What they have learned can help climbers of every ability. (110 minutes). Join us on Wednesday, October 14, at 7:30 PM in McCosh 64. (75 minutes)

FALL BREAK TRIPS

Outdoor Action will be running a variety of trips and training programs during fall break. These trips offer an opportunity to take a break from academics and enjoy the fall. Trips fill quickly so sign up early. You must leave full payment when you sign up (cash or check). The sign-up deadline for all Fall Break Trips is Friday, October 16. There will also be a number OA Leader Training Trips offered. See the Leader Training section below.

Fast Track Whitewater Kayaking Course: This Fast Track course is designed to help you master all the basics of whitewater kayaking quickly. The course begins with basic flatwater paddling stokes and techniques on Lake Carnegie. We then work on moving water maneuvers like Eddy Turns, Peel Outs, and Ferries. After mastering these skills we head to the river for work on basic river techniques running on easy rapids. Dates of the trip are Saturday, October 31 through Tuesday, November 3. You will be staying on campus and paddling from about 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM each day. Trip fee: students $85.00, faculty/staff $120.00. Full payment is required when you sign up to hold your space.

Fast Track Whitewater Canoeing Course: This Fast Track course is designed to help you master all the basics of whitewater canoeing quickly. The course begins with basic flatwater paddling stokes and techniques on Lake Carnegie. We then work on moving water maneuvers like Eddy Turns, Peel Outs, and Ferries. After mastering these skills we head to the river for work on basic river techniques running on easy rapids. Dates of the trip are Thursday, November 5 through Sunday, November 8. You will be staying on campus and paddling from about 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM each day. Trip fee: students $85.00, faculty/staff $120.00. Full payment is required when you sign up to hold your space.

Backpacking Trips: The autumn color views from the summits of the Shenandoah Mountains in Virginia are spectacular. There will be two 4-day backpacking trips to the Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park over fall break. Each trip will hike 7-8 miles each day and basic wilderness and leave no trace camping skills will be taught. Equipment will be provided by OA. Trip fee: students $85.00, faculty/staff $120.00. Spaces are limited, so please sign up early. Full payment is required when you sign up to hold your space. Dates for the trips are as follows:

Saturday, October 31 - Tuesday, November 3
Thursday, November 5 - Sunday, November 8

See also the special Backpacking Trips for Graduate Students, and the Women’s Center below.

Coastal Canoeing Trip: Sand dunes, sea birds, bayside marshes, and surf are just part of the special environment of the Atlantic barrier islands. This four-day canoeing trip to Assateague National Seashore will follow the Chincoteague Bay canoe route to bayside wilderness campsites. There will be time to play in the dunes, hike, swim, and see the wild horses of Assateague and Chincoteague. All canoeing and outdoor equipment will be provided by OA. Dates of the trip are Saturday, October 31 through Tuesday, November 3. Trip fee: students $85.00, faculty/staff $120.00. Full payment is required when you sign up to hold your space.

OA & Women’s Center Backpacking Trip: This is a special trip co-sponsored with the Women’s Center, which will use the wilderness setting to focus on women’s leadership. Like all OA trips, participants will work together to manage the trip and will learn basic backpacking and leave no trace camping skills. The autumn color views from the summits of the Shenandoah Mountains in Virginia are spectacular. The trip will hike 7-8 miles each day. Equipment will be provided by OA. Dates of the trip are Saturday, October 31 - Tuesday, November 3. Trip fee: students $85.00, faculty/staff $120.00. Full payment is required when you sign up to hold your space. Financial aid is available from the Women's Center. Contact Susan Overton at 8-5565.

Graduate Student Backpacking Trip: This is a special OA trip designed to provide an opportunity for graduate students to explore the wilderness. The autumn color views from the summits of the Shenandoah Mountains in Virginia are spectacular. Participants will work together to manage the trip and will learn basic backpacking and leave no trace camping skills. The trip will hike 7-8 miles each day. Equipment will be provided by OA. Dates of the trip are Thursday, November 5 - Sunday, November 8. Trip fee: graduate students $85.00. Full payment is required when you sign up to hold your space.

The Outdoor Action Leader Training Program

Outdoor Action encourages all students, faculty, and staff to participate in the OA Leader Training Program. OA’s Leader Training Program is considered one of the most comprehensive in the nation and has been imitated by numerous other schools. In order to expand our Community Service Program OA has developed a special set of trainings for students interested in volunteering with urban youth and families.

Community Service Leader Training

Community Education Facilitator Requirements: As well as learning group games and initiatives, facilitation and processing skills, participants develop a deeper understanding of the issues facing urban youth and how to manage difficult behavior. Upon completion of the training program, you will be better prepared to effectively facilitate urban youth. You are also encouraged to become a trained Adventure Course Facilitator so that you can also work with groups on the OA Adventure Course (see below).

• Leadership & Group Dynamics Workshop: 8-hour workshop
• Facilitators Workshop: 8-hour workshop
• Issues Facing Urban Youth: 2-hour workshop
• Managing Behavior with Youth at Risk: 2-hour workshop

Wilderness Leader Training

Basic Wilderness Leader Requirements: As well as learning valuable wilderness skills, participants develop leadership, group facilitation, safety, and first aid skills. Upon completion of the training program, you are eligible to apply to lead OA trips. These trainings are offered several times each semester and are described in more detail below. You should plan your semester accordingly. The Leader Training Program is structured to build upon the skills learned throughout your training. The Leader Training Trip will serve to tie together all of the other skills that you have learned. Therefore, you should have completed all of the other Leader Training Requirements before taking your Leader Training Trip. You may still be completing requirements while you are taking the pre-trip 5-week classes for the Leader Training Trip, but you should have completed the other requirements before the 5-day trip begins. See the OA Leader Training Program section on the OA Web site for more information.

• Wilderness First Aid Course: 20-hour course, which meets twice a week for 3 weeks
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): 4-hour course. Certification must be renewed yearly
• Facilitators Workshop: 6-hour workshop
• Leadership & Group Dynamics Workshop: 7-hour workshop (you must have already taken the Facilitator’s Workshop to attend)
• Safety Management Workshop: 2-hour workshop
• Leader Training Course & Trip: 5-week course, which meets 2 hours each week and culminates in a 5-day backpacking trip
• Van Driver Training Course: 2-hour workshop and a 15 minute road test (highly recommended but not required)

Backpacking Leader Training Courses: Leading a backpacking trip requires extensive training in wilderness camping skills. The Backpacking Leader Training Course is a 5-week course designed to teach all the wilderness skills necessary to lead multi-day backpacking trips, including route planning, equipment preparation, wilderness travel techniques, map and compass, outdoor cooking, minimal impact camping, etc. The course will meet weekly and will culminate in a 5-day backpacking trip. Trip participants will plan all aspects of the trip, including route, food, and equipment, and each participant is required to research and teach a class on a particular wilderness topic. There will be several meeting times available for the pre-trip classes. You are required to attend all the weekly classes. The text for the course will be The Backpacker’s Field Manual, written by Outdoor Action and published by Random House. Trip leaders will set up class times for each group. There will be a number of trips offered both the first half and the second half of fall break. You will need to have completed all of the other OA Leader Requirements before fall break in order to go on the Leader Training Trip. Trip fee: students $85.00, faculty/staff $110.00 which includes The Backpacker’s Field Manual. Participants must sign up by Friday, September 25. Trip dates:

Saturday, October 31 - Wednesday, November 4
Wednesday, November 4 - Sunday, November 8

There will also be Leader Training Courses during Intersession in January, Spring Break and "Dead Week" after final exams in May.

Leader Training Fast Track Course: New this year is the OA Leader Training Fast Track option. In order to participate in the fast track option you must have already completed Wilderness First Aid and CPR (see below). The remainder of the OA Leader Training workshops will be offered at the beginning of Fall Break followed by the Leader Training Trip the second half of fall break. This schedule allows you to easily complete your OA Leader Training Requirements in 6 weeks. Here is the schedule:

• Facilitator’s Workshop Saturday, October 31, 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
• Leadership & Group Dynamics Workshop, Sunday, November 1, 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
• Leader Training Trip Classes - Monday, November 2, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• Outdoor Safety Management Workshop - Monday, November 2, 7:30 - 9:30 PM
• Pre-Trip Preparation & Packing - Tuesday, November 3
• Leader Training Trip - Wednesday, November 4 - Sunday, November 8

Sign up at the OA Office in Clio Hall. Trip fee: students $85.00, faculty/staff $110.00 which includes The Backpacker’s Field Manual. Participants must sign up by Friday, October 2.

First Aid, Safety Training & CPR

HEART Wilderness First Aid & CPR Course: Health Education and Rescue Training (HEART) will be offering a 20-hour Wilderness First Aid Course which includes CPR. This intensive course will cover patient examination and evaluation, body systems and anatomy, wound care, splinting, environmental emergencies, and backcountry medicine. This is an excellent course and is highly recommended to all wilderness travelers. The course is taught by experienced Wilderness First Responders and Emergency Medical Technicians. There is extensive hands-on practice of skills through realistic simulations of actual wilderness emergencies. Sign at the OA Office on the second floor of Clio Hall. Course fee: students $60.00, faculty/staff $85.00. Add $16.00 if you need CPR. There will be two sections offered:

• Monday and Wednesday evenings starting Wednesday September 30, October 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, and 21, from 7:30 - 10:30 PM. The first class will meet in 219 & 220 East Pyne and will include CPR.
• Tuesday and Thursday evenings starting Thursday, October 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20 and 22, from 7:30 - 10:30 PM.
  The first class will meet in 223 & 225 East Pyne and will include CPR.

Adult CPR Courses: There will be a number of CPR courses offering certification in Adult CPR given by HEART (Health Education and Rescue Training). Course fee: students $16.00, faculty/staff $20.00. The course dates will be:

Monday, October 5, 7:00 - 11:00 PM, 219 East Pyne
Tuesday, October 13, 7:00 - 11:00 PM, 219 East Pyne
Wednesday, October 21, 7:00 - 11:00 PM, 219 East Pyne

Outdoor Safety Management Seminar: Please see the description of this program above. All OA Leaders must attend this seminar once. No advanced sign-up is required. The seminar will be held on the following dates:

Monday, September 28, from 7:30 - 9:30 PM in McCosh 2
Tuesday, October 6, from 7:30 - 9:30 PM in McCosh 60
Wednesday, October 14, from 7:30 - 9:30 PM in McCosh 64
Monday, November 2, 7:30 - 9:30 PM in McCosh 2

Van Driver Training: OA Leaders are strongly encouraged to become authorized van drivers. You must attend a two-hour training class and complete a 15-minute road test. The class is held in McCosh 66 (late arrivals are not permitted to attend). After you have taken the class you can sign up for a time slot for the road test (generally on Sunday afternoons following the class). Additional information can be obtained by calling the Public Safety Office. Van Driver Training Classes will be offered at the following times. Additional classes will be offered after Fall Break.

Thursday, September 10, 2:00-4:00 PM
Monday, September 14, 8:00-10:00 AM
Monday, September 21, 4:30-6:30 PM
Tuesday, October 13, 4:30-6:30 PM

Group Building and Leadership Development Programs

Outdoor Action has expanding its leadership development program through a series of workshops developed in collaboration with the Student Volunteers Council, the Women’s Center, Community House, the Dean of Student Life Office, and the Princeton Blairstown Center. All of these workshops are open to the entire University Community.

Adventure Course Facilitator’s Training: This training is designed to train you how to facilitate groups on the OA Adventure Course. Learning how to handle different group initiative elements like the Spider Web, the Cargo Net, Three Islands, and the Wall. You’ll learn element safety, how to prepare a storyline and brief a group, and how to process the experience. The course will be offered on Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18 (note date change) from 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM. The first day will be spent learning the elements. The second day you will facilitate a group through different elements. Successful completion of the training will make you eligible to be hired as Adventure Course staff. Course fee: free. Anyone interested in working as Adventure Course staff should also complete the Facilitator’s Workshop (see below).

Facilitator’s Workshop: Facilitating groups requires developing special sensitivities to teachable moments. The facilitator’s role is to provide an experience and then, through guided reflection and exploration, encourage personal growth and development. This workshop will train OA leaders or others interested in group facilitation in specific techniques including group contracts, sequencing activities, and debriefing and processing techniques. This is a hands-on, experiential workshop where we will utilize a variety of group initiatives to discover the fundamental principles of facilitation. Be prepared to have fun! Join us on Saturday, October 10 from 9:30 - 5:30 PM in Liberation Hall at the Third World Center. This workshop is open to anyone interested in developing their skills in working with groups. There is no fee for this workshop.

Leadership & Group Dynamics Workshop: One of the greatest challenges of being a group leader is learning how to lead and motivate a group, and how to use the small group experiences to promote self-exploration and learning. The Leadership and Group Dynamics Workshop is designed to teach OA leaders, SVC Volunteers, Community House Tutors and others how to effectively lead groups. The workshop will focus on listening and communication skills, stages of group development, conflict resolution, and the situational leadership model. This is a hands-on, experiential based workshop so be prepared to be active and to have fun. The workshop will be held on Sunday, October 18, from 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM in Liberation Hall at the Third World Center. This workshop is open to anyone interested in developing their skills in working with groups. There is no fee for this workshop. You should have completed the Facilitators Workshop (see above) previously in order to attend.

Special Advanced Training for OA Leaders

See the latest OA Leader Newsletter.

Intersession Trips

It’s never too early to start planning for Intersession Break in January. Here are the trips OA has planned. Sign ups begin immediately after Fall Break.

Backpacking Leader Training Courses: Leading a backpacking trip requires extensive training in wilderness camping skills. The Backpacking Leader Training Course is a 5-week course designed to teach all the wilderness skills necessary to lead multi-day backpacking trips, including route planning, equipment preparation, wilderness travel techniques, map and compass, outdoor cooking, minimal impact camping, etc. The course will meet weekly and will culminate in a 5-day backpacking trip. Trip participants will plan all aspects of the trip, including route, food, and equipment, and each participant is required to research and teach a class on a particular wilderness topic. There will be several meeting times available for the pre-trip classes. You are required to attend all the weekly classes. The text for the course will be The Backpacker’s Field Manual, written by Outdoor Action and published by Random House. Trip leaders will set up class times for each group. There will be a number of trips offered both the first half and the second half of fall break. You will need to have completed all of the other OA Leader Requirements before fall break in order to go on the Leader Training Trip. Trip fee: students $105.00, faculty/staff $150.00 which includes The Backpacker’s Field Manual. (Note: Due to the need to drive further south, this trip is longer than a Fall or Spring Break trip and therefore is slightly more expensive). Participants must sign up by Friday, November 21. Trip dates:

Saturday, January 23 - Saturday, January 30
Location: Ocala National Forest, Florida

Cross-country Skiing Trips in Vermont: Cross-country skis set you free to go almost anywhere on the snow. Suddenly the winter woods are white open. There is, of course, no better place in the east for cross-country skiing than Vermont. All levels of skiers are welcome from beginner to advanced, so no previous skiing experience is required. Beginners will be taught the fundamentals of in-track skiing while experienced skiers can be off skiing on their own. The trips will be staying in a rustic house in Rochester, Vermont, cooking their own meals, and skiing at some of the finest cross-country ski touring centers in the east. Each day the group can have a different skiing experience. In the evening you can sit around the wood stove and relax after a good meal. Trip fee: students $150.00, faculty/staff $200.00, which includes transportation, meals, lodging, ski equipment, and trail fees. There is a $25 discount if you have your own skis. The dates for the trips are as follows:

Saturday, January, 23 - Wednesday, January 27
Wednesday, January 7 - Sunday, January 31

WMA Wilderness First Responder Course: OA is sponsoring a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Course over Intersession taught by Wilderness Medical Associates. This is an excellent course for anyone spending extended periods in wilderness or remote environments including backpackers, paddlers, climbers, photographers, and scientists. This 72-hour intensive course is specifically designed to emphasize the wilderness context—remote locations, severe environments, and simple improvised equipment. The course will cover patient examination and evaluation, body systems and anatomy, trauma care, environmental emergencies, splints, wilderness rescue, and backcountry medicine. This is an intensive course that meets 10 hours each day with morning lectures and afternoon skills practice including simulated rescues, daily quizzes and a final exam. The course will run from Saturday, January 23 - Sunday, January 31 from 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM each day (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM on February 1). The course will be held at the Princeton-Blairstown Center and includes lodging and all meals. Participants will be staying is rustic cabins at the Center. Preference will be given to OA Leaders and Leaders-in-training. Course fee: OA Leaders $200.00, Princeton students $380.00, faculty/staff $450.00, outside the University $600.00.

Beginners Winter Camping Trips: Snowshoeing through the deep forest, cooking on the snow, and sleeping in a snow cave are part of the special magic of camping in the winter. The 3,000-foot peaks of the Appalachian Trail in Massachusetts near Mount Greylock, serve as a spectacular backdrop for these Beginners Winter Camping Trips. Winter Camping is a demanding physical activity that builds on three season camping skills. Therefore, these trips are open only to those who have been on a previous OA backpacking trip (such as the OA Frosh Trip) or who have other backpacking experience. The trips will teach a broad range of winter camping skills, including snowshoeing, snow shelter construction, and basic winter travel skills. Trip fee: students $95.00, faculty/staff $130.00.

Saturday, January, 23 - Tuesday, January, 26
Thursday, January 28 - Sunday, January 31

OA Resources

Outdoor Action Library: OA has an extensive library of over 500 titles covering such subjects as backpacking, outdoor cooking, bike touring and repair, canoeing, caving, climbing, cross-country skiing, mountaineering, wilderness first aid, and wilderness survival. There are also numerous guidebooks to wilderness areas, as well as reference manuals on a wide variety of outdoor sports. OA also has subscriptions to Backpacker, Canoe, Cross-country Skier, and other magazines, as well as an extensive collection of videotapes on such topics as expeditionary mountaineering, rock climbing, kayaking, canoeing, bike touring, wilderness first aid and wilderness photography. All of these are available for perusal or borrowing from the OA Office. The OA Library List is posted at the Outdoor Action Web Site. You can browse the title list by subject.

OA Web Site: Come see why people from all over the world turn to the OA Web Site for the best information on outdoor education. All of the outdoor workshops offered by OA are all available on the OA Web Site (www.princeton.edu/~oa/oa.html).

• OA Guide to Animal Tracking
• OA Guide to Belaying
• OA Guide to Developing a Safety Management Program
• OA Guide to Heat Illnesses and Fluid Balance
• OA Guide to High Altitude Illnesses and Injuries
• OA Guide to Hypothermia & Cold Weather Injuries
• OA Guide to Nature Observation
• OA Guide to Outdoor and Environmental Careers
• OA Guide to Outdoor Safety Management
• OA Guide to Running a Safe River Trip
• OA Paddling Decision Guide
• OA Guide to Wilderness Orientation Programs
• OA Guide to Winter Camping

Jobs

For the latest info on Jobs with OA jump to the OA Jobs Page.

Outdoor/Environmental Jobs and Internships: Persons interested in summer positions or in post-graduation careers involving the outdoors should examine three monthly publications that are kept in the Jobs Book in the OA Office. The Environmental Opportunities Newsletter, Association for Experiential Education Jobs Clearing House, and SCA Earthworks list positions available in environmental education, outdoor education, environmental lobbying, research, and teaching. For job counseling services see Rick Curtis or the Career Services Office. See the OA Guide to Outdoor & Environmental Careers on the Web.

Equipment

For information on gear to take on trips include personal equipment, group equipment, and first aid equipment, check out the OA Equipment List Page.

• OA Group Equipment List
• OA First Aid Equipment List
• OA Medications Profile
• OA Warm Weather Backpacking Equipment List
• OA Moderate Weather Backpacking Equipment List
• OA Cold Weather Backpacking Equipment List
• OA Guide Winter Camping - with detailed equipment list

Equipment Room: The Outdoor Action Equipment Room is open on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 8:00 - 10:00 PM throughout the semester (with the exception of school breaks and final exams). OA has a wide variety of backpacking, general camping, biking, and other equipment available for rental by the general University community on a minimal rental fee basis. If you are interested in running your own trip and need equipment (sleeping bags, backpacks, bike panniers, stoves, cooking gear, etc.), please come by the OA Equipment Room located in the basement of 48 University Place (8-6417). For more information check out the OA Equipment Rental Brochure.

OA Calendar