• ORION
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What are the goals of ORION?

ORION is designed to provide you with the opportunity to:

• meet other incoming students and form solid friendships
• engage in a fun, physically challenging outdoor experience
• foster your personal growth, increase your confidence, and bolster your self-esteem
• increase your appreciation for the environment
• learn outdoor skills that focus on the "leave-no-trace" philosophy
• gain familiarity with the natural offerings of central Pennsylvania
• set goals for your first year at Penn State
• have more fun than you could have ever imagined!

What activities are included in ORION?

• four days and nights of backpacking through the rugged, beautiful terrain of central Pennsylvania (All ORION trips begin and end at Penn State's University Park campus.)
• a day of canoeing and splashing on a local river or a day on Penn State's high ropes course
• a follow-up community service project

How do I prepare?

• Bring a positive attitude and be willing to try new things.
• Physically prepare yourself—you will be hiking on variable terrain between two and ten miles each day with a loaded backpack.
• Bring personal gear and appropriate clothing, including well-broken-in, comfortable hiking boots. (A complete gear list will be sent to you upon registration,* or you can view the list on this Web site.)

*ORION will provide all group gear, including tents/tarps, stoves, and cookware. Backpacks, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads will also be provided.

What are the course requirements?

Because ORION is a 2-credit Penn State course (KINES 089), there are specific requirements to fulfill. You must:

• participate in a positive manner during the entire trip
• keep a creative and insightful journal
• write a final paper that summarizes what you have learned
• write a detailed goal statement for your first year
• participate in a follow-up community service project in State College or on the University Park campus
• attend a wrap-up session at the beginning of October.

NOTE:

• A welcome packet will be sent via mail or e-mail to confirm your acceptance into the program.
• KINES 089 will be listed on your schedule only after you participate in the program.
• All students participating in ORION must be registered as full-time students (12 or more credits) for the fall semester.
• The 2 credits from ORION meet two of the three General Health Activity requirements (GHA).
• KINES 089 Wilderness Experience will be listed on your course schedule after you participate in the course. Do not drop this from your schedule.
• Students in this program will have the opportunity to register for RPTM 297S, a first-year seminar offered exclusively for ORION participants. For more information and/or to register for this course, call 814-863-2000.

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