Phone (304) 293-5221 – [email protected] – adventurewv.wvu.edu 2001 Rec Center Dr., Morgantown, WV 26506-6018 IMPORTANT FYT RESOURCES – QUEST When What Immediately after registering online Visit https://adventurefirstyear.wvu.edu/registeredstudents to download the “Required Registration Forms” for your specific trip model. You must complete and email the forms to [email protected]within 14 days of registering online and signing the billing agreement. If you do not submit the “Required Registration Forms” within 14 days, you will be automatically removed from the trip and will still be responsible for the $95 processing/commitment fee. *AWVFYT will email you at your MIX email address to let you know once we’ve received your forms! Upon registration Be sure you have your MIX email account set up and that you regularly check this account – all correspondence from AWVFYT will be sent there! After your registration is confirmed Visit https://adventurefirstyear.wvu.edu/registeredstudents to access and review the “Important FYT Resources” for your specific trip. Review this information carefully as it is all very important! There are also links for travel directions, billing & cancellation, FAQs, and a glossary of terms. May/June 2021 You’ll receive an email from AWVFYT reminding you of your program details as well as the most up to date COVID-19 Participant Responsibilities, including pre-trip testing and isolating. Read this carefully! June 2021 While attending virtual NSO, work with your advisor to register for WVUe 188 (the 1 credit option associated with your FYT). Note that details about the course registration will be emailed to you in advance. Prepping for your trip Review the packing list found in the “Important FYT Resources” and gather all the clothes and equipment you’ll need for your trip. Be sure to bring plenty of masks! Be sure to note which equipment AWVFYT provides. If relevant, contact us for loaner requests. 2 weeks prior to your trip You’ll receive another email with reminder details for your trip. It is very important that you read this email closely and prepare accordingly – failure to do so may result in your inability to participate on the trip. You may also receive a call from an AWV staff member to discuss relevant medical or dietary information that is listed on the Participant Information Form that you previously submitted. Arriving for your trip Follow the instructions as outlined in the “2 weeks prior to your trip email”. If you have questions at any time you may contact [email protected]. If you need to cancel for any reason, you MUST do so via the official cancellation process, which is outlined at https://adventurefirstyear.wvu.edu/registeredstudents/billing. During your trip Adventure WV will post a short update from your trip on the AWV Facebook page. Should any medical or other concerns arise during the trip, an AWV staff member will be in touch with your emergency contact(s) provided on the Participant Information Form. *AWVFYT is a cell-phone free experience. Staff carry cell phones and/or satellite phones in the “off” position to be used in emergencies only. *During your trip, Adventure WV has a designated “On-Call Coordinator” who is available 24/7 to respond to program emergencies. If your parent/guardian must be in touch with you during your trip, they may call 304-290-3734. This number is only to be used for emergencies. Directly following your trip Your parent/guardian will receive an invitation to complete a survey (students will complete a program evaluation while on the trip). Any additional information will continue to be communicated through your MIX email. Early July 2021 Charges will be posted to student accounts in early July. Charges are due in August. *Students who receive the Pell Grant will receive the $95 charge to their account but will be credited $95 following full participation in the trip; this credit will be applied to the student account prior to the end of August.* For questions about AWV charges, contact AWV. For questions on how to pay, contact the Office of Student Accounts: studentaccounts.wvu.edu/contact-us * Look for emails from [email protected], [email protected], or other @mail.wvu.edu addresses ADVENTURE WV FIRST-YEAR TRIPS Registration & Communication Checklist – Summer 2021
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Visit https://adventurefirstyear.wvu.edu/registeredstudents to download the “Required Registration Forms” for your specific trip model. You must complete and email the forms to [email protected] within 14 days of registering online and signing the billing agreement. If you do not submit the “Required Registration Forms” within 14 days, you will be automatically removed from the trip and will still be responsible for the $95 processing/commitment fee. *AWVFYT will email you at your MIX email address to let you know once we’ve received your forms!
Upon registration
Be sure you have your MIX email account set up and that you regularly check this account – all correspondence from AWVFYT will be sent there!
After your registration is confirmed
Visit https://adventurefirstyear.wvu.edu/registeredstudents to access and review the “Important FYT Resources” for your specific trip. Review this information carefully as it is all very important! There are also links for travel directions, billing & cancellation, FAQs, and a glossary of terms.
May/June 2021
You’ll receive an email from AWVFYT reminding you of your program details as well as the most up to date COVID-19 Participant Responsibilities, including pre-trip testing and isolating. Read this carefully!
June 2021 While attending virtual NSO, work with your advisor to register for WVUe 188 (the 1 credit option associated with your FYT). Note that details about the course registration will be emailed to you in advance.
Prepping for your trip
Review the packing list found in the “Important FYT Resources” and gather all the clothes and equipment you’ll need for your trip. Be sure to bring plenty of masks! Be sure to note which equipment AWVFYT provides. If relevant, contact us for loaner requests.
2 weeks prior to your trip
You’ll receive another email with reminder details for your trip. It is very important that you read this email closely and prepare accordingly – failure to do so may result in your inability to participate on the trip. You may also receive a call from an AWV staff member to discuss relevant medical or dietary information that is listed on the Participant Information Form that you previously submitted.
Arriving for your trip
Follow the instructions as outlined in the “2 weeks prior to your trip email”. If you have questions at any time you may contact [email protected].
If you need to cancel for any reason, you MUST do so via the official cancellation process, which is outlined at https://adventurefirstyear.wvu.edu/registeredstudents/billing.
During your trip
Adventure WV will post a short update from your trip on the AWV Facebook page. Should any medical or other concerns arise during the trip, an AWV staff member will be in touch with your emergency contact(s) provided on the Participant Information Form. *AWVFYT is a cell-phone free experience. Staff carry cell phones and/or satellite phones in the “off”position to be used in emergencies only. *During your trip, Adventure WV has a designated “On-CallCoordinator” who is available 24/7 to respond to program emergencies. If your parent/guardian mustbe in touch with you during your trip, they may call 304-290-3734.This number is only to be used for emergencies.
Directly following your trip
Your parent/guardian will receive an invitation to complete a survey (students will complete a program evaluation while on the trip). Any additional information will continue to be communicated through your MIX email.
Early July 2021
Charges will be posted to student accounts in early July. Charges are due in August. *Students who receive the Pell Grant will receive the $95 charge to their account but will be credited$95 following full participation in the trip; this credit will be applied to the student account prior tothe end of August.* For questions about AWV charges, contact AWV. For questions on how to pay,contact the Office of Student Accounts: studentaccounts.wvu.edu/contact-us
• COVID Testing at Student Rec Center and Isolation at Oakland Hall
Day Two (Tuesday) –
Program start, Get-to-know-you activities and initiatives, Climbing, Low Elements and High Elements, Service*
* note that you will participate in 3 of the following 4 activities over the course of the next 2 days.
• Official Program Start – location & time TBD – transportation will be provided if needed
• Welcome, Equipment Check, Introductions, Games, & Review Expectations for the Trip • Lunch
• Try out rock climbing with your group and AWV climbing staff at Coopers Rock State Forest
• Challenge yourself on the low elements of Adventure WV’s Outdoor Education Center
• Reach new heights with your group on Adventure WV’s high elements
• Participate in service work with Friends of the Cheat organization
• Stay overnight at Camp Muffly
Day Three (Wednesday) – Climbing, Low Elements and High Elements, Service
• Try out rock climbing with your group and AWV climbing staff at Coopers Rock State Forest
• Challenge yourself on the low elements of Adventure WV’s Outdoor Education Center
• Reach new heights with your group on Adventure WV’s high elements
• Participate in service work with Friends of the Cheat organization
• Stay overnight at Camp Muffly Day Four (Thursday) – Rafting on the Lower Youghiogheny River!
• Head to the whitewater destination of Ohiopyle, PA for a whitewater raft on the Youghiogheny River (Please bring $10-$15 for guide gratuity) *Quest 3B Statler Trip will raft on the New River and complete the Bridgewalk
• Participate in a fun and challenging hike in the Laurel Highlands or explore the local town of Ohiopyle
• Stay overnight at Camp Muffly
Day Five (Friday) – Final Day
• Final closing ceremony and activities
*ITINERARY MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE*
ADVENTURE WV FIRST-YEAR TRIPS
Sample Itinerary – Quest
Please read our COVID-19 Participant Information and Responsibilities Letter for more information about pre-trip
testing and isolation requirements (both of which will occur in Morgantown and require you to arrive before the
official start of your program).
Additional details (including your program start time and check-in location) will be sent to you via your WVU
@mix email address prior to your program. You must check your email in order to receive this information.
Please visit adventurefirstyear.wvu.edu/registeredstudents for more equipment information. There you will find information on the best types of gear, why we require certain items, and details about equipment such as boots, fabrics, and raingear.
➢ BRING WARMER CLOTHING: It will be colder than you expect, and you’ll end up dressing in layers! The weather in
our area can vary greatly and be chillier than expected, even in the summer.
➢ AVOID COTTON: Avoid cotton clothing as much as possible. Cotton does not keep you warm once it gets wet, which
is a big deal when you’re in the outdoors. Please bring SYNTHETIC (polyester, fleece, wool, nylon, etc.) as much as is
possible. Visit our registered students website (address above) for more specifics on this.
➢ CONSIDER BUYING USED OR BORROWING: When beginning to prepare for your trip, consider that not everything
needs to be purchased new, nor do things have to have the latest and greatest brand names. Use what you have,
borrow from a friend or family member, or visit a local thrift store or discount store!
➢ Please be thorough but economical in your packing. Try to pack all or most of your things in a large duffel bag and
a handy “day pack” - you will be staying in rustic cabins for the entire program.
FEET
1 pair of sturdy sneakers or boots- for day hiking and service work
1 pair of closed-toe shoes- for wearing around camp during down-time *Note: Students will be required to wear closed-toe shoes for the majority of the program (except the water activities!)
1 pair of athletic sandals WITH A BACKSTRAP, water shoes, or old sneakers- for wearing during water activities
Socks- multiple pairs
HEAD
Sunglasses (optional)
Brimmed hat for sun protection (optional)
Warm synthetic hat for chilly mornings/evenings
UPPER BODY
3-4 T-shirts and/or tank-tops. At least 1 should be synthetic. (bring WVU shirts if you have them!)
2-3 long-sleeved shirts for warmth and sun protection.
Warm long-sleeved synthetic fleece, jacket, or sweater
Waterproof/Water resistant rain jacket (see online for details)
LOWER BODY
Underwear and sports bras, as needed.
2-3 pairs athletic shorts
Compression shorts/spandex shorts (for use with a harness) (optional)
1-2 pairs long pants- ideally loose-fitting, comfortable for service work, hiking, etc.
1 pair of long tights/spandex/long underwear (optional but recommended)
Dear Adventure WV First-Year Trip Students, Parents, Guardians, and other stakeholders:
We are excited to welcome you to WVU and to your First-Year Trip with Adventure WV! We have been successfully providing
meaningful and effective pre-college experiences for incoming WVU students for over 18 years. While you will find important
information on the Registered Students Site and on the FAQ, we’d like to take a moment to address our No Cell Phone policy.
At Adventure WV we work constantly to improve our programs. We seek to respond to the changing needs and interests of
our students and their families, study current research and standard practices within our industry, and strengthen the core
features that make our programs so successful.
Recent years have seen a rise in feedback about our “No Cell Phone” policy: Adventure WV prohibits student cell phones on
First Year Trips. For safety and communication reasons, our staff carry cell phones in the “off” or “airplane mode” position
as well as satellite phones or GPS tracker/communication devices where cell service is not available. As smartphones have
become more central to our lives, we receive more pushback about this policy.
But here’s the catch—despite increasing apprehension, at the conclusion of their program, students themselves have
expressed overwhelming support of the “No Cell Phone” policy. Students instruct us to keep the policy.
We invite you to read some of this striking student feedback, pulled from the Participant Evaluation Forms:
“We got a rare chance to unplug and really get to know each other. It was essential.” “It gave me headspace to process my experience and thoughts and forced me to form new relationships.” “I focused instead on bonding with the people on the trip and I even found that I didn’t want my phone.” “Maybe my favorite part because it forced everyone to be in the moment.” “Essential to the spirit of the trip.”
We have also pulled some statistics from our post program evaluations from 2018 and 2019 when we started asking the
question “Was not having a cell phone on a trip primarily a positive experience?”. Of the approximately 1800 students
surveyed, 87.5% reported the No Cell Phone policy was a positive experience: that’s 1,575 students over two years who
recommended that we keep the policy.
We have also set out to explore more about this topic: why has positive feedback about the No Cell Phone continued in recent
years? An emerging body of research on Generation Z correlates increased mental health concerns with cell phone use. There
is a paradox in constant connectivity: always being connected, but not physically together or sharing experiences, leaves
many feeling isolated. The research and subsequent discourse is well summarized in articles from these leading publications:
The Atlantic—September 2017, Vox—May 2019, The Atlantic—September 2019, and Psychology Today—February 2020. And
for a documentary, consider viewing The Social Dilemma if you have Nexflix access.
WVU’s Adventure Psychologist Sarah Milam, PhD, has this to say about the No Cell Phone policy:
As a clinician at the WVU Carruth Center and an AWV employee, I have observed difficulties students face due to
constant digital connectivity. Students are reporting higher levels of isolation, distress, anxiety, depression, and other
negative mental health outcomes. Engaging on an AWV trip without their phones allows students to form greater
connection with their peers, the experience, nature, and the moment – all ingredients for improved mental health
and wellbeing supported by the research and students own self-reports. When students are able to be fully engaged
in their AWV program, they often develop a number of resources that support their wellbeing at college – friendships,
mentors, coping skills, and greater resilience skills. We believe these outcomes are best supported by a phone-free
environment.
While the ultimate effects of smartphones on youth mental health are still very much in need of further research, the existing
body of evidence supports the benefits of disconnecting periodically and intentionally. As our phones keep us connected,
they also isolate us. The Adventure WV “No Cell Phone” policy seeks to address this rising issue through helping students
engage and be present with their peers in the moment, without the option to disconnect or be distracted.
As always you can contact us with questions about our No Cell Phone policy or anything else. We absolutely love our WVU
community of students and are happy to answer further questions!