The Pennsylvania State University
Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risks—
ORION First Year Orientation Program (KINES 089)

Please review this document carefully before signing. All students/participants must sign this document. For participants under 18 years of age, parents or guardians must also sign.

The ORION program takes place in wild and remote settings. It is important that participants (and parent(s) of minor participants) understand the risks (also known as hazards or dangers) associated with ORION adventure activities. ORION makes reasonable efforts to manage the risks, but does not provide a guarantee of safety. Some, but not all of the activities, which may be mandatory or optional, scheduled or unscheduled, supervised or unsupervised as part of the ORION program include:

• Travel and living in remote wilderness settings
• Cooking on a camp stove
• Using liquid fuel (white gas or denatured alcohol) stoves
• Transportation in 15 passenger vans
• Wilderness first aid and rescue, real and simulated
• Backpacking and camping in mountains
• Rock climbing
• Swiftwater canoeing
• Flatwater canoeing
• Involvement in teambuilding games and activities

Some, but not all of the inherent or other risks of activities that participants may or will be exposed to include:

• Misjudgments by self, others, or by ORION leaders
• Inappropriate conduct or negligence by self, others, or ORION leaders
• Unpredictable weather
• Extreme cold and heat, sun, lightning, wind, rain, and snow
• Unmarked or obscured hazards
• Moving water in creeks and rivers, whitewater
• Difficult stream crossings
• Steep slopes, difficult terrain, downed trees
• Falling rocks and/or trees
• Sustained lifting, carrying, or hiking
• Improper hygiene
• Failure of equipment, despite reasonable maintenance
• Remote locations, hours from help
• Dangerous road conditions and transportation problems
• Falling down or slipping
• Animal hazards: stings, bites, poisoning, and blows (trauma)
• Other risks associated with adventure activities

These and other activities, risks, hazards, and dangers can result in (for example):

• Falls, being struck, or colliding with objects or people
• Experiencing vehicle capsize or collision
• Drowning
• Becoming lost or disoriented
• Injuries due to heat, cold, altitude, or heavy exertion
• Illness: long- or short-term, gastrointestinal problems

These and other activities, risks, hazards, and dangers can result in (for example):

• Broken bones, wounds, cuts, burns
• Property damage or loss
• Mental/emotional trauma, temporary or permanent
• Other injury, damage, permanent disability, death, or loss

I (participant and parent(s)/guardian(s) of a minor participant):

• Have read and understand the above stated information and all other ORION program information received.
• Have carefully read, reviewed, completed, and signed the provided ORION forms and paperwork and agree to abide by the terms of those documents.
• Know that ORION staff is, and has been available, should I have questions regarding the nature and physical/mental demands of ORION activities and risks associated with those activities.
• Understand that ORION program staff (and thus The Pennsylvania State University) cannot assure the participantís safety or eliminate associated risks, and that all participants share in the responsibility of their own safety.
• Understand that the information provided is not complete and that other unknown or unanticipated risks, events, and outcomes may exist and are possible.
• Represent that the participant is voluntarily participating, with knowledge of the risks, and can do so without causing harm to themselves or others.
• Assume and accept full responsibility in regard to all participants for the inherent or other risks (both known and unknown) of these activities and for any injury, damage, death, or other loss suffered by the participant and/or their parent(s) or guardian(s) resulting from those risks, and do hereby unconditionally release and hold harmless The Pennsylvania State University from any and all liability in regards to said risks.

Participants and parent(s) or guardian(s) of a minor participant agree: I have carefully and thoroughly read, understand, and voluntarily sign this two-page document and acknowledge that it shall be effective and binding upon me, my participating minor child, other family members, and my heirs, executors, and representatives.

All participants and parent(s) or guardian(s) of any minor participants (those under 18 years of age) MUST sign below: