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Frequently Asked Questions

If you have additional questions after reading the FAQs, please feel free to e-mail Jennifer Bean (jbean@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? Because ORION is a 2-credit Penn State course (KINES 089), there is no additional tuition fee if you are enrolled as a full-time student in the semester you take ORION. The tuition fee will be covered in your semester bill.

In addition to tuition, there is a nonrefundable program fee of $225. The fee will be billed directly to your student account upon participation in the program. This fee includes instruction, special equipment, camping gear (sleeping bag, backpack, transportation, tent, etc.), and food for the expedition. ORION has a waiting list, so if you must cancel, please do so by email at orion@outreach.psu.edu at least three weeks prior to the departure date as a courtesy to other students so they can enjoy the ORION experience.

How big will my ORION expedition group be? Although as many as a hundred students will be participating in ORION during each session, each EXPEDITION GROUP consists of a maximum of ten students. In addition to your fellow students, there are two leaders per group—one male and one female. In the past, ORION groups have been usually 50/50 male/female.

How are groups determined? For the most part, ORION expedition 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 expedition 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 expedition group, the two of you would share much more in common than with everyone else. This makes for an awkward dynamic for the group as a whole and, therefore, we discourage friends from being in the same expedition group. We do, however, encourage friends to be in the same expedition week—meeting up with one another again when the expedition 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 ORION 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 expedition 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 during ORION? The unique part of ORION is that your expedition leaders are actually expedition “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 expedition leaders assist you by facilitating this decision-making process. Expedition leaders are NOT guides pointing the way and insisting on being the authority. Expedition 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 ORION participants to make the expedition their own and use their leaders as resources—not guides. Based on this philosophy, there is no set distance that any group "has" to hike. Some groups hike twenty-five miles or more; some groups hike less than fifteen. 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.

Do I need a certain level of outdoor experience? Some ORION 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 incoming students to 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!

Will I go rock climbing or canoeing on day 5 of ORION? Participants are randomly placed in groups that will either go on Penn State's high ropes course or canoeing on a local river. 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 hikes are 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 for ORION? 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 four 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 broken in properly. In this case, you would be setting yourself up for an uncomfortable trip, to say the very least! There is a great deal of information about appropriate hiking footwear on the Internet—do your research! If you are going to purchase boots online, we highly recommend going to a gear store and trying different models on beforehand. Shoes feel very different when you have a thirty- to forty-pound pack on, so ask a shoe sales clerk for a pack and some weights to feel how the boots feel under more “realistic" conditions. Finally, it is important to purchase the boot that is right for you—not the "in-style" brand or sale model. The links shared below are merely to provide information; they are in no way promoting a particular type of boot. Also, knowing how much walking you’ll be doing once classes begin, comfortable boots 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 Outdoors—with staff who are familiar with the ORION program—some are even ORION expedition leaders.  Appalachian Outdoors offers ORION participants a 10-percent discount to their store and a link on their website to help participants find the items that will work best for the expedition, and for while they are attending school at Penn State.

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

• Recreational Equipment, Inc.
• Eastern Mountain Sports

Other than well-broken-in hiking boots, what personal gear do I need? A complete gear list is included in the Welcome Packet PDFs available for download. This packet will also be sent to you, via email, once you register for ORION. It is not necessary to have items identical to those listed, but you will need to have each of the items listed. For example, if you do not have a mid-weight fleece, 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, we encourage you to have the exact item listed whenever possible. (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 Fahrenheit 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 expedition; 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 it out and securely store your gear for the week.

Where do we shower during ORION? 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 expedition 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 website 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 expedition out on the trail, there is a limited ability to be in contact. However, each expedition 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 814-571-2667 (for emergencies only). Please be aware that expedition 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 ORION expedition 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 choose to drive your own car, you can reserve (in advance) a weeklong parking permit for $23. This parking fee will be billed to your student account. You should indicate your need for a parking permit on your ORION application form or by calling our office at 814-863-2000.

Can I move things into my dorm early? Maybe! An added benefit for 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 after August 12 for scheduling. Storage availability is at the discretion of each housing office. 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 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.

ALL questions related to storage must be directed to your assigned Housing Office (not to Shaver's Creek): East Halls—814-865-1791; North Halls—814-865-9521;
Pollock Halls—814-865-4321;
 South Halls—814-865-2391;
West Halls—814-865-9526.

Is ORION over once the expedition ends? No. The expedition week is only one part of KINES 089, ORION Wilderness Experience. On the final day of the expedition experience, you will each receive instructions for a reflection paper, goals assignment, community service projects, and a final wrap-up session. All assignments, including the community service project, must be completed for the wrap-up session in early fall.

What about the First-Year Seminar? Penn State encourages first-year students to 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 and USE participants (RPTM 397S). 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.

What is Shaver’s Creek? The Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center and Field Laboratory was founded by Penn State in 1976 as an outdoor classroom for students to get hands-on experience teaching in, and about, the natural world. Since then, “Penn State’s Nature Center” has expanded to offer more than 60 credit courses a year, including our ORION and USE first-year student orientation programs, environmental interpretation courses, adventure and leadership courses, and our capstone integrated “Discovery” block semester.
      
Opportunities for Penn State students at Shaver’s Creek go well beyond the classroom. The center is open to the public seven days a week from mid-February through mid-December, free of admission. Students can enjoy miles of hiking trails through Penn State’s 7,000 acre Stone Valley Forest, as well as visit the Shaver’s Creek Raptor Center, to get an up-close look at many of our region’s bird of prey species, including eagles, hawks, and owls.
 
Many students get involved in other ways at Shaver’s Creek, too, whether through volunteering to help in the Raptor Center or to maintain trails, earning income through a Penn State work-study position, or by joining the Shaver’s Creek Society, our official Penn State student club. Navigate around our website to learn more about our programs and courses.

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