Davidson Outdoors Trips and Trainings
During the academic year, current students can find sign-up information for trips on WildCatSync in the Davidson Outdoors Portal.
Trips and Trainings will be announced the first full week of classes.
- Climbing: $10, $5 deposit
- Backpacking: $20, $5 deposit
- Day Hike: $10, $5 deposit
- Car Camping: $20, $10 deposit
- Affinity: no charge – all affinity trips are free to participants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign-ups happen at the beginning of the semester at the Union. Each table in Union is organized based on trip types. Find the table with the trip you would like to sign up for and hop in line! If you missed the sign-up event you can find available spots on Wildcat Sync or stop by the Davidson Outdoors office (basement of Union).
Yes! To sign up for a friend, sign up for yourself and then get back in line to sign up for another person. You can only sign up for one person at a time. You will need your friend’s 800#.
Trip prices and deposits are shown both on the online trip calendar and at each table. We accept cash at each table or declining balance on CatCard in the Davidson Outdoors office (basement of Union).Deposits must be paid 24 hours after registering for a trip or you will lose your spot.
Financial aid is available for all students who receive aid to attend Davidson. Indicate that you would like to receive aid when you sign up for your trip and a DO staff member will reach out via email with your adjusted cost based on the percentage of aid you receive to attend Davidson. You still need to pay your trip deposit if you request financial aid, but feel free to reach out with questions or concerns.
Yes! Each trip has a waitlist. We will notify students as spots open up.
Affinity trips are led by and open to students who identify as members of these communities. This semester we are offering camping, backpacking, and paddling trips for LGBTQ+ and POC students. All affinity trips are free. Affinity trip signups will happen closer to the trip date.
You'll get a notification about either being placed on a trip or a waitlist. If you get a spot on a trip your trip leaders will reach out to you a few weeks before your trip. Get excited!
Trainings
Trip Leader Training (known as TLT) $50 ($25 deposit)
This is an 10 week course with 3 weekend trips to prepare students to be trips leaders for Davidson Outdoors. We offer TLT in the fall and spring semesters. For more information about TLT reach out to Davidson Outdoors staff.
Top Rope Rock Climbing Instructor Skills Training $50 ($25 deposit)
This is an intensive course spread out over a full year to prepare Assistant Davidson Outdoors Rock Climbing Trip Leaders. After completing the course, completing TLT, and practicing for at least a semester students can have the opportunity to test for the Professional Climbing Instructor's Association Top Rope Instructor Certification. No previous climbing experience is needed to enroll. For more information about climbing training reach out to Katie Mathieson (kamathieson@davidson.edu)
Whitewater Leader Skills Training $50 ($25 deposit)
This training is a great introduction to leading paddling where you learn to teach basic maneuvers and principles at the lake campus, then test your new skills on some North Carolina whitewater. This training is available to students who have already completed Trip Leader Training and Wilderness First Aid. For more information about paddling training reach out to Katie Mathieson (kamathieson@davidson.edu)
Past Trainings Offered
Dependent on staff availability and student interest, Davidson Outdoors has been able to offer the following trainings in previous years:
- Intro to Bike Packing: $20 ($5 deposit)
- Mountain Biking Trip Leader Training: $20 ($5 deposit)
- Stand Up Paddle board Trip Leader Training: $10 ($5 deposit)
- Open & Coast Canoe Trip Leader Training: $50 ($10 deposit)
- Whitewater Kayaking Trip Leader Training: $50 ($25 deposit)
Kaspars Golos ’27 captured photos of his trip leader training (TLT) experiences with Davidson Outdoors (DO) for this photo essay.