Quest offers two different start dates and general trip lengths to appeal to a variety of student interest. All of our trip options are designed to accommodate students of all abilities and experiences. All programs camp either in a wilderness site or at local campground offering backcountry and front country camping and have options for different ability levels.

Quest offers different trips for incoming students to choose from. Some options include:

7-Day Backpacking & Canoeing

August 18–24
Cost: $400: Scholarships are available

This trip is the heart and soul of Quest. This year’s 7-day participants will backpack and canoe in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains of New York. Participants will become familiar with all the wilderness skills necessary to live comfortably in nature. Groups of 5–8 incoming students and their student instructors will travel to new camping locations each day hiking trails, floating down rivers or paddling across pristine lakes. This longer trip is the perfect way to transition to life at Trinity College, allowing more time for students to form connections with peers and the outdoor environment.  

4-Day Quest Experiences

August 29–September 1, 2024
Cost: $100, fee waivers may be available

No matter what outdoor experience you have, Quest has a program for you. All trips prepare incoming students for a smooth transition into a life at Trinity by forming bonds with their fellow students and fostering independence. Based on program needs and logistics, trip options may change.

4-Day Backpacking Trip

This trip offers a great opportunity for incoming students to form bonds with their classmates as well as their upperclassmen leaders. Groups of 6–8 incoming students and 2 student leaders will backpack sections of the Appalachian Trail in Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts, traveling between 4–8 miles per day, making camp along the way. The 4-day experience provides just the right amount of time for incoming students to learn and implement the wilderness skills to live in the woods. The different options for ability levels allow students to choose their desired challenge. Beginner trips will have less elevation gain and loss than those who choose the advanced level trips. Students will learn about their section of trail during the first day of Quest. 

4-Day Backpacking and Rock Climbing: Combo

Similar to the backpacking trips the combo trip will travel in small groups on the Appalachian trail with their peers. The combo trip is a great opportunity to experience both backpacking and outdoor rock climbing with other incoming students. The combo trip offers a full day of rock climbing and two full days of backpacking. Students will learn the basic skills of both rock climbing and backcountry travel through this combo experience. 

4-Day Base Camp Trip: Day Adventures

This front country base camping option allows students to stay in one campsite the entire trip and experience multiple types of outdoor recreational activities. From hiking to rock climbing and possibly canoeing. This trip has several options for students to connect with peers while participating in different modes of travel.

4-Day Canoe Trip

Students will be in the backcountry along the river and or lake. They will not need to carry any of their equipment, as it will be stored in the canoe. Participants will paddle from camp spot to camp spot, and learn basic paddling technique. There may be a section of portaging, where the canoe will be carried along with the food and gear.

4-Day Rock Climbing Trip

Students will be in the front country base camping and spending the days rock climbing outside. They will learn basic rock climbing skills and technique while camping together in a front country environment. Each day the rock climbing group will travel to a different venue to learn more about themselves and the growing sport of rock climbing.

 

Please reach out to one of the Quest Trainers with any questions about programs. We look forward to welcoming you to the Trinity community this fall.