"The greatest thing about this course was having the opportunity to have fun while learning."
Fall 2006 Wilderness Explorer student

FALL 2008
Wilderness Explorer Freshman Seminar

Earn 3 credits while visiting West Virginias' most beautiful wild places

Week # 1 - August 4th through 9th

OR

Week #2 - August 18th through August 23rd

What is the Wilderness Explorer Freshman Seminar?

The Wilderness Explorer Freshman Seminar is an opportunity for you to experience outdoor adventures, make new college friends, and learn how to succeed in college.  This three credit course is compressed into one wilderness week of camping and eight traditional weeks of class time.  The eight week class runs during the early fall semester.  The wilderness adventure is led by a credentialed wilderness guide who also teaches the “Outdoor Leisure Activities” course for the Fairmont State Physical Education Department. The eight week traditional part of the course is taught by an Academic Advisor, who is also an experienced Freshman Seminar course instructor, and who is a leader on the six day wilderness trip!

What happens during Wilderness Week?

During the six day field trip, students will travel to exciting West Virginia wilderness and designated WV forest areas. The activities include: white water rafting the New River, rock climbing at Coopers Rock State Forest, backpacking through Spruce Knob, and hiking Seneca Rocks, Blackwater Falls, and Canaan Valley. 

What happens during the Traditional Weeks?

During the eight weeks of traditional class time your fellow explorers will become your classmates.  Together you will become familiar with the rest of the campus community, tap into campus resources, learn and apply college leve study strategies.  You will learn to navigate the FSU website, and explore career options.

 

How do I sign-up?

Enrollment is limited to 12 students for each of the two weeks specified.  People are selected by a lottery and so you need to send your lottery form postmarked by May 30th.  You will be contacted by June 6 about whether or not you have been selected to attend.  Please mark your first week preference by the number #1, mark your second week preference by the #2.  If you can only attend one of the two weeks simply mark that week by the #1.  There is an optional pre-trip meeting and lots of information headed your way once you have been selected to go on this trip.

Additional Fees

Class Fee $400.00.
This fee covers:  all camping equipment, recreational equipment, recreation activity fees (white water rafting fees, camping fees, rock climbing and back country permits), food, and transportation.