Aerial view of campus with Williamsport, the Susquehanna River and Bald Eagle Mountain as a backdrop

First Year Outdoor Experience

Can’t wait to start college? Get started early with Lycoming College’s First-Year Outdoor Experience. Join OLE for a week of beautiful vistas, rugged trails and scenic rivers for a hiking and paddling adventure.

First-Year Outdoor Experience - August 14-19, 2023

Bond with future classmates while enjoying the vistas, trails, and rivers of the Allegheny National Forest. Students will be permitted to move onto campus early, and then they will embark on an adventure backpacking the North Country Scenic Trail, cooking, camping, and canoeing along the Allegheny Reservoir. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to gain new skills, friendships, and strategies to help you succeed in your first year.

Anthony Molinaro, the College’s Director of Outdoor Leadership and Education, and a trained student instructor will guide students through each experience, suitable for outdoor adventurers of all levels. Molinaro is a certified Wilderness First Responder and has extensive experience guiding in wilderness settings.

The number of participants is limited. Participants will be selected from the application pool by the Director.

Selected participants will receive an email with information on arrival, location, contact information, and a suggested packing list.

Program Cost

First-Year Outdoor Experience: $50.00

Fee includes all food and industry-leading equipment including:

  • Healthy, energy-filled food, with care taken for dietary restrictions
  • Rain gear (if needed)
  • Canoes
  • Safety equipment

Participants will be required to bring clothing appropriate for the weather, personal toiletries and proper footwear. A light-weight but sturdy hiking boot is recommended; if you do not own boots, please let us know, as we have boots available to loan.

Application Form