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 8-12 fellow first-year Huskies. Discover the breathtaking beauty of the Pacific Northwest and make lasting memories in the great outdoors!
Summer 2026 Trips
We have some very exciting trips planned for this Summer 2026. Read on to learn more!
Hoh River Backpacking
Join us for a backpacking adventure on the shores of the Hoh River in the beautiful Olympic National Park. Immerse yourself in the natural splendor of towering trees, rushing rivers, and pristine wilderness. This mostly flat backpacking trip is perfect for beginner backpackers.
Dates:
- 7/27 – 7/30
- 8/24 – 8/27
Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
Mt.Rainier Backpacking
Embark on a scenic adventure amid the majestic splendor of Mount Rainier. Explore lush forests, crystalline streams, and iconic vistas, the starlit sky, immersing yourself in nature’s grandeur with every breath.
Date: 8/12 – 8/16
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
Snow Lake Backpacking
Over 3 days you will cover 10 miles and 2,200 feet of elevation gain. You will hike to Gem Lake and spend the night right next to a beautiful alpine lake. In the morning you can take a nice cold plunge and enjoy a nice cup of coffee surrounded by the pine trees and your fellow huskies!
Date: 8/17 – 8/19
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
Olallie lake Backpacking
On this three-day backpacking trip, on your first day you will hike up to Talapus Lake and enjoy a relaxing night. On day two you will hike up to Olallie Lake a stunning alpine lake where you can swim and take in the stunning view on a crystal-clear lake nestled in the cascade mountains. This trip is perfect for those who want to see if they would like backpacking without having to commit to a longer trip!
Date: 9/1 – 9/3
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard
Lake Cresent Kayaking
Discover the serenity and adventure of Lake Crescent, an exceptional outdoor experience nestled amidst the stunning landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. Paddle through the pristine waters of Lake Crescent, framed by the majestic Olympic Mountains. Paddling to sites such as the devil’s punch bowl, Marymere falls and maybe even hiking up Mt.Storm King. This trip is sure to be filled with adventure!
Date: 9/4 – 9/8
Difficulty: Easy
Enchantments Day Hike Series
The Enchantments is an alpine wonderland of pristine lakes set among polished granite, soaring peaks, blazing larches, and ambling mountain goats. Widely regarded as the crown jewel of hiking in Washington, this trail exceeds even the wildest of superlatives. This trip will be difficult, with hikes each day averaging about 8-10 miles and elevation gains into the 2,000s. This trip is a series of day hikes up to different alpine lakes each day; you will be staying at the same campsite for the duration of the trip!
Date: 8/3 – 8/7
Difficulty: Most Difficult
Summit Series
Experience the Summit Series, an exclusive outdoor adventure series tailored for thrill-seekers who yearn to conquer nature’s grandest landscapes, including the iconic peaks of Mt. Si, Mt. Erie, and Mt. Pilchuck. Guided by experts and surrounded by breathtaking vistas, participants embark on unforgettable journeys filled with exploration, challenge, and camaraderie. Join us and elevate your outdoor experience to new heights with the Summit Series.
Date: 8/20 – 8/23
Difficulty: Most Difficult
Financial Assistance
We are pleased to partner with the New Student & Transfer 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 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.
This policy is specific to FYA trips, school year and day trips have a different policy.
- Cancellations made 30 days before the trip start date will receive a full refund.
- Cancellations after 30 days result in a 100% loss of the registration fee.
- Failure to attend an activity results 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.
- Cancellations by UWild Adventures, will result in a full refund
- There are no exceptions to the policy, including illness, injury, family emergencies, etc
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 ahryan@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