Trip Options

Backpacking - Shenandoah National Park

This backpacking trip will take participants to Shenandoah National Park for a multi-day wilderness experience. Students will learn all of the necessary skills to be self-sufficient in a wilderness setting, including backcountry cooking and wilderness travel. Nights are spent camping out, talking with fellow incoming students and learning about college life.

Participants in the backpacking options will be expected to carry all of their personal belongings and their share of group gear along the trail. Packs could weigh as much as 40lbs and the terrain is challenging at times. Participants should be of good physical fitness and prepared to walk several miles a day. The backpacking trip is offered during both sets of Pathways trips; August 11-14 and 16-19.

Sea Kayaking - False Cape State Park

Our sea kayaking trips takes participants along Virginia's beautiful False Cape for a truly unique experience. All of the necessary skills to have fun and be safe on the water will be taught and no prior paddling experience is necessary.

While no previous paddling or outdoor experience is necessary, sea kayaking can be strenuous. Participant should be in good physical condition and prepared to be active for most of the day. The Sea Kayaking trip is only offered during the second set of Pathways trips, August 17-19. 

Rock Climbing - George Washington National Forest

The climbing trip will provide students with the opportunity to develop a variety of climbing skills in multiple climbing areas throughout Virginia. All of the skills necessary to have a fun and safe climbing experience will be taught and no previous climbing experience is necessary. Participants will spend their days hiking and climbing, while learning about themselves and eachother. Each night, participants will campout and develop wilderness living skills such as backcountry cooking.

While no previous climbing or outdoor experience is necessary, climbing can be strenuous. Participant should be in good physical condition and prepared to be active for most of the day.  The rock climbing trip is offered during both sets of Pathways trips; August 11-14 and 16-19.

Explore Virginia

Our Explore Virginia trip offers participants a variety of single day outdoor experiences such as kayak touring, caving and rock climbing. The Commonwealth has a lot to offer, so why not experience as much of it as possible?

No previous experience in the various activity areas is necessary. However, participants should be in good physical condition and prepared to be active for the majority of each day.  The Explore Virginia trip is offered during both sets of Pathways trips; August 11-14 and 16-19.

Explore Virginia 2

Due to the popularity of our Explore Virginia trip, we are excited to offer a second Explore Virginia option this year! Like the original, Explore Virgina 2 offers participants to engage in a variety of outdoor activities, but instead of caving, participants will spend one day hiking in the beautiful Shenandoah mountains.

No previous experience in the various activity areas is necessary. However, participants should be in good physical condition and prepared to be active for the majority of each day.  The Explore Virginia trip is offered during both sets of Pathways trips; August 11-14 and 16-19.

Pollution and Poverty - False Cape State Park

W&M Pathways is excited to offer this new joint trip with the Office of Civic Engagement and Scholarship! As a collaboration between W&M Pathways and the 7 Generations program, Pollution and Poverty explores  the impact of environmental damage on the economy as well as the beauty of False Cape State Park. For more information or to register, visit the 7 Generations site here.