Slide show: Orientation in the wild

Fifty-one incoming freshmen have participated this summer in Wisconsin Basecamp, an outdoor orientation program that offers wilderness trips to students the summer before their first year at UW–Madison. (Read more about Wisconsin Basecamp.)

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Wisconsin Basecamp is a collaboration among several campus partners, using expertise from the Wisconsin Hoofers, Hoofer Outing Club, the Center for the First-Year Experience, and Adventure Learning Programs.

The goal is to give incoming freshmen a chance to meet new friends and prepare themselves for success at the university. The outdoor trips can include camping, canoeing and backpacking throughout Wisconsin and require no wilderness skills or abilities. The program provides tents, cooking gear, boats, life jackets and food. The seven Basecamp leaders are UW–Madison upperclassmen or recent graduates who have Wilderness First Aid certification with CPR and have gone through a leader-training program.

The summer trips aren’t the only opportunity for participants to get together. Basecamp helps freshmen adjust to college life during the school year by offering activities and informal get-togethers, including a service day in the community.