The Ascent Outdoor Pre-Orientation Trips help make the transition to college easier. Students will build friendships, leadership skills, and self awareness by living and working together in novel and dynamic environments.
Ascent Pre-Orientation Programs
Ascent is a unique opportunity designed to ease your transition to college before your first-year begins. Through outdoor experience, leadership development, and self-reflection, you will build lasting friendships and feel a strong sense of belonging. All experiences are led by trained upperclass student Leadership Educators, giving first-years an insight into Gettysburg life from their peers. Ascent participants will often end the trip feeling capable, connected and more prepared to begin their time at Gettysburg College.
These trips are designed for a range of experience and ability levels. They take place in various local areas, as well as state and national forests within three hours of Gettysburg.
Ascent Experiences 2025
Backpacking
This four-night, five-day backpacking trip offers first-year students a chance to backpack in the backcountry of the Appalachian Mountains with well-trained upperclass facilitators. You will be carrying everything that you need on your back to not just survive but thrive! By working with this small group of peers, you practice leadership skills through hiking, cooking, setting up camp and reflecting together to feel confident in an outdoor environment. No previous hiking or backpacking experience is necessary.
Price: $550
Adventure Basecamp
This cabin-based experience is a four-night, five-day program where participants stay at a local summer camp with fellow first-years, equipped with bunks, bathrooms and other amenities. Together the group will learn and practice leadership skills through experiential education opportunities. These may include collaborating on a challenge course, supporting peers while outdoor rock climbing and getting to know a local state forest on day hikes. No prior outdoor experience is necessary.
Price: $550
Important Dates and Information
Registration Opens: April 5, 2025
Registration Closes: July 17, 2025
Program Dates: August 14-19, 2025
Program Price: $550
Register for Ascent by July 17. Space is limited and also fills up quickly. Register to get your preference in early HERE.
Financial Aid
We offer need-based financial aid. To apply for financial assistance, you may contact us over email at glc@gettysburg.edu or fill out this form.
Please do this PRIOR to registering for Ascent.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is Ascent?
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The Backpacking trip will be in the Appalachian Mountains and usually within three hours of Gettysburg. The Adventure Basecamp will take place at a local summer camp in a State Forest with cabins and other amenities.
- When is Ascent?
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Ascent will be August 14-19, 2025. The program will conclude before the College's full orientation begins on August 20th.
- Can I move in prior to Ascent?
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Yes! Students participating in a variety of the College’s pre-orientation programming move in early. You will be able to move-in the morning of August 14th before our welcome lunch and programming. If you are traveling from greater than 300 miles, please reach out to the GLC to request an earlier move-in. We will send more information about this soon as we work with our campus partners for this process.
- How much does Ascent cost?
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Ascent will cost $550. We have financial assistance available, and encourage you to reach out to us (glc@gettysburg.edu) if you need financial assistance.
- What does that cost include?
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The cost includes food, transportation, gear, and knowledge provided by our trained student facilitators. We ask that students bring personal clothing and toiletries. The Ascent program can provide activity specific items such as backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, tents, stoves/cook sets, rain gear, and other technical equipment. More details regarding pack lists are available upon request.
- This sounds awesome, how do I register?
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Register for Ascent here by July 17, 2025.