Welcome, First Year Huskies!
Join UWild for an Epic Adventure! Join your fellow first year huskies on the adventure of a lifetime. Our outdoor adventures are here to help you connect with other first year students before your first day of school. Experience the thrill of car camping, kayaking, and backpacking while connecting with 8-10 fellow first-year Huskies. Discover the breathtaking beauty of the Pacific Northwest and make lasting memories in the great outdoors!
Upcoming Events
Summer 2026- Coming Soon!
Coming Soon
Financial Assistance
We are pleased to partner with the First Year Programs Office to provide partial funding for our courses!
Funding is available on a “first come, first served” basis for any incoming first year students that have a demonstrated financial need and/or come from traditionally undeserved populations within higher education broadly and outdoor recreation in particular. Unfortunately, we cannot offer Adventure Funds to all applicants, but we will try our best to ensure the funds are divided equitably and justly!
To apply for financial assistance, simply click “I would like to apply for the Adventure Fund” at the bottom of your application and complete the prompted questions!
Payment
A member of UWild’s staff will contact you via email and/or text if you have been accepted on a trip. We may have supplemental questions at that time to ensure the program is a good fit and to answer any questions you may have regarding the course prior to your registration!
After you have been contacted and accepted into the course we will follow up with a separate payment portal to complete course fees. Course fees can be paid with either Credit Card or billed through tuition.
Frequently Asked Questions
You will be tent camping on all trips! The campgrounds vary in what kind of amenities they have, each campsite will have a toilet but there is no guarantee that they will have showers. On our backpacking trips you will be sleeping in backcountry sites so there will be no amenities.
Fellow UW students trained in wilderness education lead UWild’s FYA trips. These instructors will guide you through the development of outdoor skills and provide insights into their experience as a UW student and introduce campus resources.
Your trip starts and ends at the best spot on campus, the Waterfront Activities Center, the home of UWild Adventures. Located on the shore of Lake Washington and a short walk from the University of Washington Light Rail Station. Post-trip pick-up is easy as there is plenty of parking, and the light rail to the airport.
We suggest you find trips that fit an honest reflection of your physical abilities, not just the date that fits a busy summer schedule. Once we leave the trailhead the group is committed to completing the trip together, there are not typically easy exits mid-course so please pick a trip that suits your abilities.
Transportation from the WAC to the trip trailhead/put-in and back to the WAC, meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), and all group gear (backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and cookware, etc.) will be provided. After registration, you’ll receive a packet with detailed information about meeting times and places, preparation suggestions, a packing list, and other important information. You will have to provide your own snacks.
- Classes meet for multiple sessions. No refunds are issued after the first session.
- For any course that meets for multiple sessions, attendance at the first class is mandatory.
- Failure to attend an activity results in a 100% loss of the registration fee.
- If approved for a refund, you may call (206-543-4590) or visit (3924 Montlake Blvd NE, Seattle, WA 98195) the IMA Member Services desk during operating hours to process your refund.
Attendance and Withdrawals
- Off-campus activities are defined as any activities that leave campus grounds. Off-campus activities may have an on-campus informational session or instructional meetings.
- Overnight trip withdrawals must be made at least 3 weeks prior to the activity to receive a refund.
- Day trip withdrawals must be made at least 15 days prior to the activity to receive a refund.
- Withdrawals made 14-8 days prior to the activity result in a 50% loss of the registration fee.
- Withdrawals made 7 or fewer days prior to the activity result in a 100% loss of the registration fee.
- If you decide to leave the trip early, that will result in a 100% loss of the registration fee.
- Attendance to pre-trip meetings, instructional sessions, or informational sessions is mandatory for participation in off-campus activities prior to an outing.
If you registered in person, you must initiate an in-person refund by visiting the IMA Member Services desk (3924 Montlake Blvd NE, Seattle, WA 98195) during operating hours.
If you registered online, you must initiate an online refund by e-mailing recinfo@uw.edu.
Feedback
The University encourages reporting to provide support and resources, offer resolution options, stop the conduct, prevent its recurrence, and remedy its effects. If you or someone you know has experienced or becomes aware of possible discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct, you are encouraged to make a Civil Rights & Title IX Report.
Kudos? Comments? Complaints? We want to hear from you. Fill the Recreation Feedback Form