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Frequently Asked Questions

If you have additional questions after reading the FAQs, please feel free to e-mail Susanne Dubrouillet (susanne1@psu.edu) or Tammi Richard (tyr1@psu.edu) or call Shaver's Creek Environmental Center at 814-863-2000.

We look forward to responding to your inquiries, as well-informed participants make ORION a more positive and productive experience for us all!

What is the cost for ORION and how will it be billed?
Although each week of ORION is held during the summer, ORION is a fall semester Penn State class (KINES 089). Therefore, the tuition costs are included as part of fall tuition for all full-time students. Students taking a minimum of 12-credit hours during the fall semester are considered full-time students. Students participating in ORION (KINES 089) will not pay additional tuition for this course. The only additional fee for all students is the $195.00 program fee. Students who opt to have parking included will also add the $23 parking fee. The $195 program fee (and the $23 parking fee, if applicable) will be billed to student's account. ORION fulfills 2 of the 3 General Health Activity (GHA) credits.

How big will my group be?
Although as many as sixty students will be participating in ORION each of the three weeks that it is offered, each TRIP GROUP consists of a maximum of ten students. In addition to the students, there are two leaders per group, one male and one female. In the past, ORION groups have been made up of approximately 50 percent female students and 50 percent male students.

How are groups determined?
For the most part, ORION trip groups are selected randomly. We do arrange, however, for the number of males and females in each group to be as equal as possible. In addition, we try to ensure that ORION participants in each trip group come from as diverse a geographic background as possible.

Can my friend and I be in the same group?
Although most ORION participants do not come into the program knowing anyone else, a few do have a friend with whom they would like to share the experience. One of the key concepts of ORION is that there are no exclusive relationships among members of a group. In order for your group to truly function as a team, everyone must share the same level of respect and camaraderie. If you and a close friend were to be in the same trip group, it is easy to see that the two of you would share much more in common than everyone else would share with one another. This makes for an awkward dynamic for the group as a whole and, therefore, we discourage friends from being in the same trip group. We do, however, encourage friends to be in the same trip week, meeting up with one another again when the trip groups reconvene later in the week.

We have had a number of students in the past who found it difficult to not be in a group with a friend, and those very same participants came back to thank us at the end of the week! They realized in hindsight that they would not have learned, grown, and enjoyed the experience as much if they had gone with someone they already knew.

What are the leaders like?
ORION leaders, like the participants themselves, come from diverse backgrounds and have varied interests. Some ORION leaders are graduates of Penn State; some are current graduate students; and some are undergraduate students. Their majors are equally diverse and include agriculture, theater, marketing, engineering, and others. What all ORION leaders do share in common is a love for the outdoors and a great deal of experience in both technical and personal aspects of trip leading. Many ORION leaders are past ORION participants themselves and enjoyed the experience so much that they wanted to help others have a similarly positive experience! All ORION leaders participate in staff training prior to going out with a group.

How far will we be hiking?
The unique part of ORION is that your trip leaders are FACILITATORS. In other words, each group works together to make their own decisions based on the members of their group, the terrain where they are hiking, the weather, etc., and the trip leaders assist you by facilitating this decision-making process. Trip leaders are NOT guides, pointing the way and insisting on being the authority. Trip leaders will do their best to see that the group's decisions are physically, mentally, and emotionally comfortable decisions for everyone in the group. Their job is to empower the trip participants to make the trip their own and use their leaders as resources not guides.

Based on this philosophy, there is no set distance any group "has" to hike. Some groups hike twenty-five miles or more; some groups hike less than ten. There are many factors that will play into how many miles your group will hike, and it is up to your group to interpret these various factors and make the best decisions possible for all involved.

Experience levels
Some participants come in with years of experience; others come to the program without having ever been camping before. Your experience level doesn't matter. Instruction will be provided for those who have never done anything like this before. Those with more experience are relied upon to share their skills with others. ORION does not emphasize the physical aspects of the program. Our main focus is on providing a unique social experience that will help students transition from high school to college. Though a great deal will be learned about backcountry living, a great deal more will be learned about life at Penn State, working with others, about yourself, and more.

Additional Adventures: Rock Climbing or Canoeing
Participants are randomly placed in groups that will either go on Penn State's high ropes course or canoeing. If you have a very strong preference for one activity over the other, please contact our office with that concern.

Do I need to physically prepare for ORION?
Yes. The trails that are chosen for ORION vary in degree of difficulty. Some trails are easy and moderate while others are more steep and rocky. The pace and the mileage of the hike is determined by the group to accommodate all levels of experience. Our goal is for you to enjoy the physical challenges that ORION has to offer rather than make you suffer through them. However, many participants state in hindsight that they wish they had been in better shape before they arrived.

It is highly recommended that you prepare yourself in advance with any form of cardiovascular exercise so that you are prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. Your backpack will seem heavier than it really is on a hot, summer day. Walking, jogging, swimming, and hiking are great ways to train for ORION. Be sure to break in your boots ahead of time.

What kind of footwear do I need?
Other than a positive attitude, appropriate footwear is the most important thing you can bring to ORION. Well-broken-in, supportive hiking boots are a necessity. When we use the term "well broken-in," we mean that you should purchase this footwear AT LEAST a month in advance of ORION and wear them often enough that they are comfortable to be in for days. Often students purchase hiking shoes just a few days before coming—some even on the way! Boots that do not have dirt and scuff marks on them are an easy clue that they are not at all broken in. In this case, the participant is setting himself or herself up for an uncomfortable trip, to say the very least!

There is a great deal of information about appropriate footwear on the Internet. It is ultimately important to remember that nothing replaces trying a boot on and, therefore, wherever possible, we highly recommend going to a gear store and trying different models on, even if you chose to purchase them from a Web-based catalogue later on. Remember also that shoes feel very different when you have a thirty- to forty-pound pack on. While you are at the store, please ask the sales folks for a pack and some weights so you can wear the shoes under "more realistic" conditions.

Finally, it is important to purchase the boot that is right for you—not the "in brand" or sale model. The links shared with you below are merely to provide information; they are in no way promoting a particular type of boot. Also, knowing how much walking students will do once they begin classes in the fall combined with the sometimes inclement weather of State College, it is certain that the boots you purchase, if comfortable, will get a great deal of use beyond ORION.

Where can I find appropriate clothing and other equipment for ORION?
All gear is provided for ORION participants except for what is listed on your gear list. We have an excellent local outfitter in State College—Appalachian Ski and Outdoors—with a staff who are familiar with the ORION program. In addition Appalachian Ski and Outdoors offers ORION participants a 10-percent discount to their store and a link on their Web site to help participants find the items that will work best for the trip and while they are attending school at Penn State.

Sites you may want to check out for prices and availability of ordering:

• The Adventure Source
• Recreational Equipment, Inc.
• Eastern Mountain Sports

Other than well-broken-in hiking boots, what personal gear do I need?
A complete gear list is posted on this Web site under Gear List. In addition, this list will be sent to you in your acceptance packet once you register for ORION. It is not necessary to have identical items to those listed, but it is necessary to have each of the items listed. For example, if you do not have a midweight fleece, you must pack something that would be comparable, such as a wool sweater or other layer. The list we have created is composed of the lightest and most practical items to keep you comfortable in a variety of weather conditions and, therefore, whenever possible, we encourage you to have the exact item listed. (Borrowing is a great way to fulfill your needs without spending a lot of money!)

The weather is unpredictable in State College during the summer. We have seen temperatures as low as in the fifties and as high as one hundred degrees. Since you will be in a remote location it is necessary to be fully prepared.

Can I bring my own backpack and other gear?
Although most students who sign up for ORION may never have been camping before, some are already experienced outdoors people. If you fall into the second category, you may already have all of your own gear (sleeping bag, backpack, ground pad, etc.). You are more than welcome to bring your own gear for the trip; however, we reserve the right to review your gear when you arrive. If we feel that our backpack or other piece of equipment will be more appropriate than what you have brought, we will switch.

Where do we shower?
There are many hygiene issues to be addressed while on the trail, including keeping yourself clean, helping to ensure the water you drink and cook with is pure, washing dishes and other equipment, dealing with human waste, and special concerns for women. Although some trip groups may be near state parks along the way, most will be in remote areas the entire time they are backpacking. This means that there will not be shower facilities and/or other bathroom facilities along the way. This does not mean, however, that one must give up cleanliness. As with other aspects of the ORION program, we follow "Leave No Trace" principles in dealing with hygiene issues, and your leaders will instruct you on all aspects of how that applies to daily living in the woods. If you would like to find out more about this topic in advance, you can visit the Leave No Trace Web site or pick up a copy of The Backpacker's Field Manual by Rick Curtis. Participants will have an opportunity to shower on the last evening of the program while we are staying in Stone Valley Recreation Area.

What if I have my period on the trail?
This is a common fear for many female participants. No worries. Our female instructors will talk to you about how to deal with hygiene, trash, and other related concerns. This should not be a factor that keeps your from participating. Note: All females should pack extra supplies just in case your period comes unexpectedly.

Can I be in touch with my parents while out on the trail?
Due to the fact that all ORION participants spend their first four days of the trip out on the trail, there is a limited ability to be in contact. However, each trip group will carry a cell phone in case of an emergency. In addition, if parents need to contact their son or daughter due to an emergency of their own, they can call Shaver's Creek Environmental Center at 814-863-2000. If parents need to reach their daughter or son after normal business hours, please call 814-386-2276 (emergencies only). Please be aware that trip leaders do not leave the cell phone on the entire time, so it may take several hours to transport a message by foot to participants out on the trail.

We do not allow students to bring along their own cell phones, as it takes away from the primary goals of the ORION experience.

What if I need to leave the trip early?
Whether it is by your own personal choice or due to injury, if you leave the program week early, you must drop the course, and no refunds will be given. Accommodations and transportation are to be arranged and paid for by the participant.

Is there a place for me to park if I drive my own car?
Yes. If you chose to drive your own car, we can reserve in advance a parking permit for the week (for an additional fee) when you arrive. You should indicate your need for a parking permit on the application form or call our office.

Can I move into the dorm early?
Yes! An added benefit for all August session ORION participants is the opportunity to move your belongings into your fall housing assignment early. You should receive your fall housing assignment by the end of July. If you would like to move your belongings into storage before the ORION week begins, you will need to contact your housing area during the first week of August for scheduling. Storage availability is at the discretion of each housing office. ALL questions related to storage must be directed to your assigned Housing Office listed below (not to Shaver's Creek).

July: Dependent on what trip you have chosen, students often want to move their belongings and/or themselves into the dorms early. Although this is understandably desirable, especially for those who travel quite a distance, it is not possible in July.  However, July participants are extended the same opportunity to move belongings into their dormitory as early as August 11. Penn State runs an extensive amount of programming in the summer, including Sport Camps, Elderhostels, and a variety of others; therefore, the dorms are often in use right up to the end of the summer, making a very tight schedule for the cleaning and "turn over" of the buildings. Due to these factors, it is NOT possible to guarantee that you will be able to move your belongings and/or yourself in early. In addition, the beginning and ending time for ORION may not match up with availability of housing workers to provide you access to storage. These factors must be addressed directly by you to your housing office.

If you wish to find out whether or not early move-in is possible for you or your belongings, you need to contact the housing office that is in charge of your dorm at the beginning of August. (You should receive your fall housing assignment in the mail by the end of July.) Please be understanding if it is not possible to move your belongings and/or yourself in early due to other demands on the dormitories.

Again, storage availability and move-in time is at the discretion of each housing office. ALL questions related to storage and move in must be directed to your assigned Housing Office, listed below.

Pollock Halls
814-865-4321

North Halls
814-865-9521

East Halls
814-865-1791

South Halls
814-865-2391

West Halls
814-865-9526

Is ORION over once the trip ends?
No. The trip week is only one part of ORION, KINES 89 Student Wilderness Experience. On the final day of the trip experience, you will each receive instructions for a summarization paper, goal statements, community service projects, and a final wrap-up session. The summarization paper and goal statements must be turned in at the wrap-up session. In addition, the community service project must be completed by this time. The final wrap-up session occurs sometime at the beginning of October.

First-Year Seminar?
Penn State requires that all first-year students take a 1-credit First Year Seminar. If you enjoyed your ORION experience and want to continue it, we have a First Year Seminar offered exclusively for ORION participants (RPTM 297S). Topics include outdoor adventure, opportunities on campus, stress management, library skills, learning about health services, campus recreation, and more. Only ORION participants will be in the classroom.

Statement concerning H1N1 flu virus
During the six-day portion of the ORION program, students who develop flu-like symptoms (fever and sore throat, cough, respiratory symptoms, or gastrointestinal symptoms) may receive medical care at Penn State's University Health Services. When health care providers have a high suspicion that the student has influenza, appropriate diagnostic testing may be done and treatment may be provided. Based on public health guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and PA Department of Health, the student will be distanced from other students and sent home to recuperate. University Health Services will contact parents/guardians to discuss medical care and will coordinate other arrangements with the summer program staff. As the situation evolves with the H1N1 flu virus, we will continue to consult with and follow the recommendations of the PA Department of Health and the CDC. As a precautionary measure, if a student has or has had flu-like symptoms 7 days prior to the start of ORION, we ask that the student not attend the program. Please contact our office to notify us in the event of illness.
 

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