Outdoors & Aquatics
First Year Adventure Trips
Welcome to USF Adventure Trips for First-Year 黑料爆料!
Discover. Connect. Thrive.
Starting college is a big step鈥攁nd we鈥檙e here to help make it unforgettable. The Recreation & Wellness Department鈥檚 First Year Adventure Trips are designed specifically for incoming first-year students at USF. These peer-led, nature-based experiences are more than just a getaway鈥攖hey鈥檙e a launchpad for your college journey.Whether you're hiking through Florida鈥檚 scenic trails, paddling along peaceful rivers, or camping under the stars, you鈥檒l build friendships, confidence, and a deeper connection to your new home at USF.
What Are the First-Year Adventure Trips?
These are half day, full day, and weekend long outdoor experiences led by trained USF students. Trip Leaders who are passionate about the outdoors and student life at USF. Each trip is designed to:
- Ease the transition to college life.
- Help you meet fellow Bulls before classes begin.
- Introduce you to Florida鈥檚 natural beauty.
- Connect you with campus resources and support systems
- Encourage self-discovery and personal growth
No prior outdoor experience is needed鈥攋ust a willingness to try something new!
- Build a strong social foundation before classes start
- Gain independence and confidence
- Learn about campus life and resources from experienced student leaders
- Develop resilience, teamwork, and leadership skills.
These trips are led by trained USF students and supported by professional staff. Safety is our top priority, and every trip is carefully planned to ensure a positive and inclusive experience for allparticipants.
Please contact the Adventure Programs Team, adventure@usf.edu, with any questions.
First-Year Trip Offerings
On most trips, you don鈥檛 need any experience. Really!
If a trip requires experience, we鈥檒l indicate what experience you should have on the Registration page. Trips will include a pre-trip meeting. It will include valuable information, such as appropriate clothing, necessary gear, what food to bring, the trip plan, and any necessary paperwork.
After signing up for a trip, within 1-2 weeks before the trip your Trip Leader will reach out with all of the information you will need, including meet up location, what you need to pack, pre-trip meeting call information, and any other specifics for your trip
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many people are on each program?
A: Most trips will have a group size of 10, with 8 student participants and 2 Trip
Leaders.
Larger groups will maintain a ratio of 1 Trip Leader to 4 students.
Q: When and where do I need to show up for my trip?
After signing up for a trip, about 2 weeks before the trip your Trip Leaders will
reach out with
all of the information you will need to know for the trip. Unless otherwise communicated
by Trip Leaders, all Adventure Trips will meet at the Campus Recreation Center (REC)
and departs from the 12-passenger vans in Parking Lot 6, behind the Recreation Center.
You can find the approximate trip times on the Registration Page for each trip, please
refer to email
communication from your Trip Leaders for specific meeting information.
Q: How do I pay or how am I billed for my trip?
A: You must pay the fee for your trip at the time of registering. USF Financial Aid
and
Scholarships cannot be used to pay for RecWell Adventure Trips Programs.
Programs are all-inclusive: food, transportation, lodging, etc.
Q: Why are Trip smoke and vape free environments?
A: FYTs are smoke and vape free to best comply with USF's smoke free campus policy.
There is a
history of substance use in the outdoors and our programs strive to show the power
of nature by itself.
Q: Do I need to bring a First Aid Kit?
A: No. We bring a well-stocked First Aid Kit depending on the Adventure Trip activity.
However,
if you find yourself frequently using a specific over-the-counter (OTC) medication,
you may want
to consider bringing a small supply with you. All Trip Leaders are CPR & First Aid
Certified, and
most have higher level wilderness medicine certifications.
Q: What if I take prescription medication?
A: Please be sure to take them with you, take them as prescribed and keep them accessible.
Take special care to bring and keep accessible epi-pens and/or asthma inhalers if
you have had
these prescribed to you for any reason. Also, be sure you have noted these medications
(along
with dosage) on your Participant Information Form that is turned in to the Trip Leaders.
If you
begin new medications (or stop taking previous meds) after filling out your form,
please let us know.
Consult with your doctor before changing any medication plans.
Q: I鈥檝e never been camping, kayaking, snorkeling, whitewater rafting, etc. before.
Is that a
problem?
A: Absolutely not, our programs are designed for beginners! We do not expect you to
have
experience or be proficient in anything we do. Your leaders will teach you what you
need to
know for your program. You should anticipate the experience will be a genuine challenge,
along with being a wonderful, fun, and valuable experience.
Q: Is there anything I should do to prepare for the Trip?
A: Doing some type of regular exercise may help you feel more comfortable with the
activities
on trip. But really, the only thing you need to do is get excited to meet other Bulls!
Q: How will USF RecWell and my Trip Leaders communicate with me?
A: Trip Leaders will communicate with you via your USF email account (@usf.edu) associated
with your NetID. Emails will come directly from your Trip Leader or from our
adventure@usf.edu email account.
During registration you will have the option to enter yourphone number, this will only be used the week of the trip to communicate with you if staff cannot reach you by email.
Q: How do I register for programs?
A: Register online on our Campus Rec Shop Registration Page. Programs are first-come,
first-served. You will use your USF NetID and password to sign-in and register. Please
note that
registration for RecWell programs will NOT impact your registration for academic classes.
Online registration for all trips remains open, if spaces are available, up to 1 week prior to thestart of the program. Email adventure@usf.edu with any issues or questions.
Q: Do I get academic credits for going on a First Year Adventure Trip?
No, First Year Adventure Trips do not provide Academic credits and do not impact academic
class registration.
Q: Do I need to provide my own meals?
A: No. All meals and snacks will be provided as soon as your program begins. However,
if you
would like to bring a small amount of non-perishable personal snacks, you are welcome.
While registering you can let us know if you have any dietary restrictions.
Q: What are we going to be eating?
A: Lots of great and healthy food! We are always busy on our programs and expending
a lot of
energy. Your specific menu will vary by program type. While registering you can let
us know if you have any dietary restrictions and Trip Leaders take restrictions into
consideration while planning.
Some typical meals are:
鈥� Breakfasts (provided on overnight trips): oatmeal, french toast, breakfast burritos
鈥� Lunch: Mediterranean wraps, avocado and tuna wraps, sandwiches
鈥� Dinner (provided on overnight trips): pasta, stir fry, burritos, tacos
鈥� Snacks: crackers, cookies, fruit, veggies, trail mix
鈥� Beverages: hot chocolate, coffee, lemonade, water
Q: I鈥檓 a vegetarian. Is that a problem?
A: No. Most meals we plan are vegetarian and even vegan friendly (meat is always on the side) and we have alternatives for those meals which are not.
While registering you can let us know ifyou have any dietary restrictions and Trip
Leaders take restrictions into consideration while
planning.
Q: I have food allergies. Is that a problem?
A: No. Please be sure to include all information regarding your allergies while registering.
If you
think additional information is relevant, please get in touch with your Trip Leaders.
We may also contact you to gain more information. We can plan a menu around most food
allergies.
However, if it not listed on your registration, we cannot accommodate for your specific meal plan.