W&M Pathways

While most new students to the College spent the week before orientation packing and saying goodbye to friends and family, about fifty of them were traveling throughout Virginia carrying their lives on their backs. Why? You might ask. Because they were taking part in W&M Pathways, an outdoor pre-orientation experience put on by the Outdoor Recreation Program, or ORP.

W&M Pathways started in 2008 and is designed to provide incoming students with a unique College experience before ever setting foot on campus. By spending time with other incoming students, participants start to make friendships and connections and since Pathways trips are lead by current students, participants get to learn firsthand about life at William and Mary.

This year, the ORP lead five Pathways trips: two backpacking trips, a rock climbing trip, canoeing trip, and a trip called Explore Virginia. Explore Virgina took participants all over the Commonwealth where they got to go canoeing, hiking, rock climbing and caving. Not a bad way to start college, but don't take our word for it. Here's what some participants had to say about their W&M Pathways experience:

"William and Mary Pathways made the transition into college so much easier. I made a bunch of friends before even stepping on campus, learned the ins and outs of the school from our Trip leaders, and really got a taste of how much fun college could be."

"Best way to start off college! AMAZING!"

Want to have your own outdoor experience? Check out all that the ORP has to offer.