Expedition Overview

A Thoughtful Process

The Expedition experiences are developed with you in mind. Over the last ten years, the Office of Experiential Education has offered over 400 wilderness programs ranging from one day to two weeks in length. We have created experiences that are challenging but yet rewarding regardless of your adventurous background.

Over the last three years our participant base has been very diverse. A daughter and her father spent their time backpacking together in Yosemite National Park. An alumnae from the Class of 1974, and her husband  joined a number of students and the Vice President of Student Affairs on a sea kayaking adventure in the Prince William Sound of Alaska. In Scotland, an administrator who never backpacked before, joined a faculty member, other professional staff, and six students on a journey through history along the West Highland Way. Parents participated on sea kayaking trip to Baja, California coordinated and facilitated by their son. And we just enjoyed a trek through Tuscany with an active group of alumni, family members, and parents.  

The range and the make up of our groups continue to amaze those who participate on our trips. Students, parents, alumni, and family members are able to remove themselves from their daily roles, and learn to live, hike, paddle, trek, and engage one another in conversation and shared experiences. We take our programs seriously in our site and staff selection, while maintaining the highest regard for the welfare of the group experience. We have been able to develop a balance in our programming structure which supports the novice backpacker to the experienced wilderness enthusiast.

For Gettysburg, By Gettysburg

Our Expeditions are developed by the Office of Experiential Education at Gettysburg College and are led by students and alumni of the Gettysburg Recreational Adventure Board (GRAB) who are trained in wilderness education, medicine, and group facilitation. The GRAB alumni base consists of many wonderful professionals, lawyers, entrepreneurs, educators, etc. who return to their Alma Mater on their own time in order to share experiences with the campus community that once impacted their lives as students.

Our staff embraces the philosophies that allow for everyone to Choose their Challenge and participate in a Full Value Experience. On any wilderness based trip, there are many challenges that face the group. These experiences are very personal at times, so it is with the expectation that everyone has a voice and is able to choose what is most comfortable for them at any given moment. With the right philosophy and an engaging group, our trip reviews are overwhelmingly positive. 

We develop these experiences so you are able to see and experience a unique part of our world while connecting with fellow students, reconnecting with alumni or meeting other parents. The possibilities are endless as are the friendships that are established while on these trips.  Make your next experience a Gettysburg moment.

General Details

All trips are designed for the group to meet at either a bed and breakfast or hotel in the designated city on the first day. During that initial meeting, the group will be introduced, review trip details, sort gear and food, and then enjoy a nice dinner in town.

We will coordinate arrangements at our site location so you are able to secure your personal belongings while we are on the trip. When we return from the backcountry, we will stay in the same accommodations and conclude the experience with a banquet style dinner that evening.

Leading up to your program, you can expect frequent correspondence from the staff facilitating your trip. You can expect to receive information about the site location, trails, equipment, local political issues, and any special handouts. We will also host a few meetings for those on campus, and attempt to coordinate one gathering with everyone before the trip departs, if time permits.    

Financial Aid

We have some money set aside each year to assist some students financially with their expedition. Recognizing that many students are unable to afford these trips, we make every effort possible to find a way for their participation. Even though each trip is designed to be a break even cost for the program, the costs can still add up for participants. We have assisted students by covering either part of the trip price or airfare. For further information, please contact John Regentin at 717.337.6319.  

Backcountry meals

We strive to make the entire backcountry experience enjoyable from the location to the food. It is our goal to ensure that our cuisine is not compromised just because we are in a different environment. We are keen on baking, sautéing, and eating healthy. Here is a sample of our meals, and please note that we are open to ideas and are able to accommodate food allergies and dietary restrictions:

Pancakes
Hasbrowns
Coffee Cakes
Biscuits/Cinnamon Roles 
Various warm/cold cereals
Burritos/Quesadillas
Pizza/Calzones
Chili/Corn Bread
Various bean/potato soups
Hummus/Tubule
Pastas (pesto, red/white sauces, tai sauces)
Teas, Coffee, Espresso
Drink mixes
Brownies/Cookies