Project Exploration
Project Exploration (PE)
Trips
Project
Exploration is one of the most amazing and exciting ways to begin your college
experience! You have 5 different programs to choose from where you can enjoy a
wide range of outdoor activities including climbing, whitewater rafting,
surfing, backcountry hiking, kayaking and mountain biking. You will also
have the opportunity to meet dozens of other freshmen and interact with some of
the most amazing upperclassmen who will help you learn about life at GW.
Every year, students participate in this program with a
wide range of outdoor experience. We encourage students who have never
challenged themselves in such ways to do so now. This experience is open
to students attending any of the four CI sessions, and can be combined with the
Emerging Leaders Program without conflict.
The PE trips can only accommodate a
limited number of students, so sign up now! All trips cost $425 (except for the PE White
Mountains trip which costs $525), this fee covers all activities, lodging,
transportation, and food for each trip. There are five Project
Exploration trips from which to choose and they each bring a wealth of
adventure so pick the one that is the best fit for you and come play outside
with GW TRAiLs.
PE
Multi Sport Adventure
August 24-28
The PE Multi Sport Adventure trip is the largest PE trip and students will
have an opportunity to meet over one
hundred other Freshmen while engaging in a wealth of
adventures. All participants will have the opportunity to experience a range of
large and small group activities including camping, team-building activities
and a challenging white-water rafting adventure on the final day of the trip.
Participants will also have the choice of mountain biking, rock climbing,
inflatable kayaking or a mud obstacle course as additional activities during
the week. This is a perfect trip for those students looking for a range of
activities to enjoy while meeting over a dozen upperclassmen. This trip serves
as a great introduction to people new to the outdoors while still providing a
challenging experience for students with outdoor experience.
PE Whitewater
August 23-28
PE Whitewater incorporates all of the most popular river sports into a single
outing! Participants will spend four nights in the semi-backcountry at an
established forest campsite, setting up their own tents and cooking their own
meals on the New River of West Virginia. They will receive instruction in
rafting and kayaking—including the Eskimo Roll! They will then have the
opportunity to hone those skills on some of the New
River's famous class II and III rapids! On the last day,
they will take on the formidable challenge of conquering the entire stretch of
the New River featuring
class IV rapids. Students do not need experience with water sports to enjoy
this adventure but they must know how to swim and should enjoy spending time on
the water for several days.
PE White Mountains
(additional $100 fee for flight, $525 fee total)
August 22-28
With their dramatic summits and phenomenal vistas, the famous White Mountains of New Hampshire represent
the very pinnacle of Appalachian trekking. Participants will spend five days
and six nights traversing 5,000-foot peaks and over the sharp and narrow Franconia Range.
During this 30-mile backcountry adventure, participants will be completely
self-sufficient: they will learn critical wilderness skills such as
long-distance backpacking, campsite selection and set-up, navigation with a map
and compass, Leave-No-Trace ethics, and much more. After five days of arduous
trekking, participants will be rewarded with Franconia Falls...a
natural cascade offering cool and refreshing swimming holes! This trip will
require significant fitness from all participants in order to keep up with the
strenuous activity level of this adventure.
PE Rock n' Canoe
August 23-28
Participants will spend four nights camping in the semi-backcountry, setting up
their own tents and cooking their own meals. During the days, they will receive
instruction in rock climbing, belaying, and rappelling and also learn some of
the most essential knots and rope-handling skills. They will then have the
opportunity to practice those skills on beginner to intermediate sport-rock
routes. On day three, participants are in for relaxing river ride to ease the
muscles after two vigorous days of climbing. All equipment - including ropes,
harnesses, belay devices, rock climbing shoes, and helmets will be provided and
participants should be in good physical shape to take on this trip. All levels
of climbing are welcome!
PE Surf's-Up
August 23-28
Late summer is the best time of year to surf on the East Coast! Participants
will travel to Virginia
Beach, VA,
where they will establish camp near a secluded stretch of sandy shore. They
will set up their own tents and cook their own meals. On the second day,
participants will receive surfing instruction, which will be available for both
beginners and intermediates. All equipment, including wet-suits, if necessary,
will be provided. On the third day, participants will have the opportunity to
hone those surfing skills on some of the best waves in the Atlantic! On the
last day, participants will explore the area's unique and fascinating marine
habitats via sea kayak!
For more information on all trips, call the Student Activities Center
(SAC) at 202.994.6555, e-mail trails@gwu.edu, or visit http://trails.gwu.edu.
You can sign up for PE when you register for Colonial Inauguration!
