 |
HOW TO CHOOSE A TRIP
You will experience many new things in college, and OA is a great place to
begin that exploration. Feel free to try out something you have never done
before and that could be a challenge. No adventure requires previous
experience, but several do require you to be in good cardiovascular condition,
and some trips may leave you mildly sore from repetitive motions such as
paddling. Your choice should be tempered by a realistic assessment of your
fitness level and background.
Chances are that several OA trips appeal to you. Which ones would you enjoy
the most? To help you compare adventures and make a more informed decision, we
have provided summary information about different aspects of the trips in charts
below. When you sign up, you will have the opportunity to rank each trip in
order of your preference. It is important to find at least three trips that you
would enjoy rather than setting your heart on a single adventure, as we cannot
guarantee placement on your first-choice trip. We do guarantee the placement of
students with mobility or other limitations on trips that allow them to
participate in OA and are happy to make necessary accommodations wherever
possible.
|
ACTIVITIES PLANNED |
| Notes:
Only
activities common to several adventures are shown above. Please see
trip descriptions for more information about planned activities.
|
|
Adventure |
Hiking |
Swimming |
Biking |
Snorkeling |
Paddling |
|
Southern California |
No |
Yes* |
Possible** |
No |
No |
|
Comm-Serve/So-Cal |
No |
Yes* |
Possible** |
No |
No |
|
Sailing |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Possible** |
|
Halona
|
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
|
Catalina Island |
Yes |
Yes |
Possible** |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Sea Kayaking |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Yes |
|
Beach |
Possible** |
Yes |
Possible* |
Possible* |
Possible** |
|
Surfing |
Possible** |
Yes |
No |
Possible** |
Possible** |
|
Yosemite |
Yes |
Yes* |
Possible** |
No |
No |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Backpacking |
Yes |
Yes* |
No |
No |
No |
|
June Lake |
Possible** |
Yes* |
Possible** |
No |
Possible* |
|
*
Swimming is optional on these trips and can be unobtrusively avoided.
** ”Possible” indicates that an activity is either at the group’s
discretion or may be included in the itinerary once schedules are
finalized. |
|
|
AMENITIES AVAILABLE |
| Notes:
For trips utilizing sleeping bags, we recommend bringing along a thin
foam or inflatable pad for additional comfort. Sleeping bag and pad
rentals can be arranged with a local outfitter (OA will pick up and
return gear and collect payment from the participant). Sleeping bags
and pads are available free of charge to participants in the
“Backpacking” and “Camping” trips. |
|
Adventure |
Sleeping
Arrangements |
Showers |
Toilets |
Electricity |
Store* |
|
Southern California |
Bed on campus |
Yes |
Flush |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Comm-Serve/So-Cal |
Bed on campus |
Yes |
Flush |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Sailing |
Bunk on ship |
No |
Chemical |
Limited |
In port |
|
Halona
|
Mattress in cabin |
Yes |
Flush |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Catalina Island |
Cot or sleeping bag
in tent or tent cabin |
Yes |
Chemical |
No |
Yes |
|
Sea Kayaking |
Sleeping bag in tent |
No |
No |
No |
No |
|
Beach |
Sleeping bag in tent |
Yes |
Flush |
No |
Yes |
|
Surfing |
Sleeping bag in tent |
Yes |
Flush |
No |
Yes |
|
Yosemite |
Bed in tent cabin |
Yes |
Flush |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Backpacking |
Sleeping bag in tent |
No |
No |
No |
No |
|
June Lake |
Sleeping bag in tent |
No |
Flush |
No |
Yes |
|
* “Store” in this
context indicates any place where you can buy basic goods that you may
have forgotten to bring along, such as chapstick or additional snacks. |
|
|
DIFFICULTY AND HAZARDS |
| Notes:
All ratings are relative to other OA trips. For example, if you have
traveled on the ocean often without being sea sick, your risk of getting
motion sickness on a trip is low even if a "High" relative possibility
is indicated. |
|
Adventure |
Relative level of: |
Relative possibility
of: |
|
Cardiovascular
exertion (1-5) |
Musculoskeletal
exertion (1-5)* |
Altitude Sickness† |
Sea Sickness |
Heat Sickness** |
|
Southern California |
1 |
1 |
None |
None |
Low |
|
Comm-Serve/So-Cal |
1 |
2 |
None |
None |
Low |
|
Sailing |
2 |
2 |
None |
High |
Low |
|
Halona
|
2 |
3 |
Low |
None |
Low |
|
Catalina sland |
2 |
3 |
None |
Moderate |
Moderate |
|
Sea Kayaking |
3 |
3 |
None |
High |
Low |
|
Beach |
3 |
3 |
None |
Low |
Moderate |
|
Surfing |
3 |
3 |
None |
Low |
Low |
|
Yosemite |
3-4 |
2 |
Moderate |
None |
Moderate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Backpacking |
4-5 |
4-5 |
Mod - High |
None |
Moderate |
|
June Lake |
3 |
2 |
Moderate |
None |
Moderate |
|
* Activities
requiring significant musculoskeletal exertion include carrying a pack,
paddling a kayak, surfing, and negotiating a ropes course.
† Symptoms of altitude sickness can include light-headedness, headache,
nausea, and/or vomiting. Hydration and good cardiovascular
conditioning reduce the risk of sickness. In past years, roughly one in
ten students on high altitude trips experienced mild to moderate
altitude sickness, with symptoms subsiding upon removal to lower
elevation.
* Symptoms of heat sickness can include fatigue, cramps. Hydration,
good cardiovascular conditioning, and proper attire can all but eliminate the risk of
heat-related symptoms. |
|
Sun exposure will be significant on all
trips so be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and cover-up
clothing.
|
MISCELLANEOUS |
| Notes:
The ratings below are necessarily subjective and may vary from your own
preferences. Driving times are subject to traffic conditions. |
|
Adventure |
Wild and Scenic
Views (1-5) |
Rustic Experience
(1-5) |
City/Town Experience
(1-5) |
Transportation |
Approximate Hours on
the Road |
|
Southern California |
1 |
1 |
5 |
Charter Bus |
12 (3/day) |
|
Comm-Serve/So-Cal |
1 |
1 |
5 |
Auto |
12 (3/day) |
|
Sailing |
3 |
2 |
2 |
Charter Bus |
4 |
|
Halona
|
4 |
2 |
3 |
Auto |
7 |
|
Catalina Island |
3 |
3 |
2 |
Ch. Bus/Ferry |
4 |
|
Sea Kayaking |
4 |
4 |
1 |
Ch. Bus/Ferry |
4 |
|
Beach |
3 |
2 |
3 |
Ch. Bus/Auto |
6 |
|
Surfing |
3 |
2 |
2 |
Auto |
6 |
|
Yosemite |
5 |
2 |
2 |
Charter Bus |
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Backpacking |
5 |
5 |
1 |
Auto |
8-12 |
|
June Lake |
5 |
3 |
1 |
Ch. Bus/Auto |
8-10 |
|
|
