Outdoor Odyssey
About Outdoor Odyssey
Outdoor Odyssey is open to any first-year or transfer student and will use outdoor activities such as canoeing, camping, and backpacking to build community for new students.
Upper-class trip leaders support your group on basic skills as you work together to build relationships and share significant experiences.
Participation is open to any skill level. Beginners are not just welcome but encouraged!
COVID-19 Vaccination Policies
Updated June 1, 2022
Participants must be fully vaccinated to participate in Outdoor Odyssey. Fully vaccinated is evaluated based on current CDC standards.
Update: All Outdoor Odyssey Sessions Full for 2022
If you are still interested in participating in Outdoor Odyssey you are welcome to register and join the waitlists for any of the sessions.
Session Dates
New: Session 3 & 4
Due to the high demand for Outdoor Odyssey, we have added two more sessions. The new sessions will be local to Davidson and 3 days in length.
Session 3
Saturday, Aug. 20 - Monday, Aug. 22, 2022
Ideal dates for students also participating in International Student or STRIDE programs
If you register for Aug. 20-22 and are not planning on attending another pre-orientation program (i.e. STRIDE or ISP) you will need to return home or find your own accommodation and return to campus on Aug. 24 for move-in. You cannot move into your dorm room at the end of this Outdoor Odyssey Session.
Session 4
Monday, Aug. 22 - Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022
Ideal dates for students not attending STRIDE or International Student Orientation
Students will be able to move into their dorm rooms at the end of this Outdoor Odyssey on Aug. 24.
Registration Lottery
Due to high demand, we use a lottery system for Outdoor Odyssey.
How the lottery works:
- Enter the lottery for any session. If you are available for multiple dates, enter multiple lotteries to increase your odds.
- February 15 we will fill 50% of sessions 1 and 2.
- May 15 we will fill the remaining 50% for of sessions 1 and 2 and all of sessions 3 and 4.
- If you enter the lottery between February 15 and May 14, we will email you May 15 about your placement.
- Following May 15, we will shuffle the waitlists and email you with your waitlist position.
Fees & Financial Aid
Session 1 and 2 Cost: $425 (robust financial aid available)
Session 3 and 4 Cost: $50 (robust financial aid available)
Although there is a cost to the Outdoor Odyssey program, we offer financial aid for the cost of the program and travel to attend. Any incoming student receiving financial aid to attend Davidson can receive aid for Outdoor Odyssey.
Contact
If you have questions or concerns, please contact us. We are happy to chat or get you connected with a trip leader to answer questions about Davidson Outdoors!
After Odyssey Get Outdoors at Davidson
Outdoor Odyssey is organized by Davidson Outdoors. Learn more about exploring the outdoors while at Davidson and how you can be involved after Odyssey!