E-mail this pageOdyssey: An Adventure Experience for SUNY Plattsburgh Freshmen
"It is so fulfilling you feel ready to take on anything." - Odyssey Participant
Odyssey is an adventure based program for incoming first-year students only.
It offers a memorable approach to the transition to college life through group experiences offered in outdoor settings.
After Orientation, Odyssey can be the unique next step to becoming part of the Plattsburgh State community.
The means to doing that might includes hiking one of the Adirondack Peaks, spending a day on the College's low ropes course, kayaking on Lake Champlain for 2 days and meeting new friends in new settings.
The new relationships you build in Odyssey will help ease you into your first year as a college student, and open your eyes to an experience you'll never forget. You'll also get an introduction to the natural environment of your new backyard.
What Will I Do On Odyssey?
You'll have a great time along with the other freshmen participants, and upper class leaders, as you're introduced to new places and skills. During your Odyssey experience, you will:
- Kayak on Lake Champlain, the 6th largest freshwater lake in the United States, where you'll learn how to kayak from our Expeditionary Studies faculty.
- Spend five nights at Twin Valleys, the college's Outdoor Educational Center located in Lewis, NY, in the Adirondack Park
- Hike an Adirondack peak
- Challenge yourself on our low-ropes course
- Interact with the other participants, trained leaders, alumni and faculty and staff of the college.
- Spend free time hanging out at camp and around the campfire, meeting new friends, playing games, swimming and more.
Do I Need to be an Experienced Outdoors Person to Take Part?
Absolutely not! Although participants sometimes bring outdoor experiences to Odyssey, many of the participants are hiking and kayaking for the first time. We provide the training along the way, seek help from those with experience, and create our own adventures! We hope participants are in good physical condition for their own and others' safety, but that's it!
Why Do Odyssey?
Besides all the fun you'll have, the great friends you'll meet, the comfort level you'll gain for College, here are a few other good reasons to participate:
- All participants will receive an academic credit for taking part in the program. Upon completion, you'll receive 1 Credit for Sea Kayaking I (PED175). That's right, a credit before the semester starts.
- You'll get to move your belongings into your residence hall room a week before the rest of the students. No lines, no waiting, just unload without any hassles.
- finish your Odyssey experience by getting together with all Odyssey participants after the semester starts, renewing some connections and continuing others.
- Qualify to become part of a pool of Odyssey participants who return as future trip leaders.
When Is Odyssey?
August 18-23
Odyssey will begin with participant check-in between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm on Monday, August 18. You'll return to campus by early afternoon on Saturday, August 23.
We encourage you to bring all your belongings for the fall semester and to put them into your Residence Hall room (if you're living on campus) prior to departing for the trip.
How Much Does the Trip Cost?
The cost to participate in Odyssey is $325.00. This fee covers the following:
- Food
- Transportation
- Group Gear
- Instruction
- Leader compensation
- Administrative costs
- 1 College Credit (a $181.00 value!)
- Odyssey "Swag"
How Do I Sign Up?
You can sign up anytime. We accept registrations until all spaces are filled. Send the registration form (see below) with the signed Liability/Release form (also below) along with your payment to:
Sarah Henley, Coordinator of Freshmen Adventure Programs
c/o The Adirondack Experience
Plattsburgh State University
101 Broad Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
(Please make checks payable to Plattsburgh State University)
Remember there are only 32 participants (eight spaces are reserved for student leaders) so don't wait until the last minute. We accept applications on a first come, first served basis. Those received after the trip is full will be placed on a wait list in the order in which they are received.
What Should I Bring?
We've put together a list of equipment you need to bring along on Odyssey.
Odyssey Forms and Downloads
Note: These documents require the latest version of Acrobat Reader, which is available as a free download.
- 2008 Registration Form (PDF file size 73.7kb)
- Liability and Release Form (PDF file size 20.3kb)
Contact Information
For more information about the Odyssey Outdoor & Adventure Program at SUNY Plattsburgh, please contact:
Sarah Henley, Coordinator
Phone: (518) 564-5294
E-mail: odyssey@plattsburgh.edu
Mailing Address:
Odyssey
c/o The Adirondack Experience
SUNY Plattsburgh
101 Broad Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901