Steppin' Out | Willamette College Pre-Orientation Program

Steppin' Out builds community and confidence while exploring new friendships and new vistas. No experience with the outdoors is required and all are encouraged to join.

Steppin’ Out:

Nurtures friendships with classmates
Facilitated by upper-class mentors
Supported by partner faculty and staff
Builds a strong and supportive community through shared experience and challenge in the outdoors

This system that encourages belonging, trust, and connection to peers helps students throughout their collegiate careers. Some research even suggests that students in similar orientation programs achieve increased GPAs, completed their degrees, and successfully persisted at their schools at higher rates than peers who did not participate in these programs. But mostly, the lessons learned in these adventures transfer to students’ broader lives, instilling grit and confidence in the face of challenge and uncertainty. The confidence achieved supports each student’s successful transition to their new home as a Bearcat at Willamette University.

Steppin’ Out 2026

Cascades Lakeside Camping

Dates: Saturday, September 5 – Monday, September 07
Cost: $250 (Limited Financial Assistance available)
Registration: Open until full. (Spots limited to 22 first-year and transfer students.)

On this three-day Basecamp experience, participants will hike in the Mt Jefferson wilderness, camp in the Cascade Mountains, and paddle on nine-mile-long Detroit Lake. Small groups of students will set up a basecamp in a state park campground. During the day, teams will embark on new adventures including hikes, paddling, and exploration, and each evening, teams have an opportunity to interact with other basecamp teams camping at the same park.

Days will be filled with adventures like hiking, orienteering, and paddling, including options like paddleboarding on Detroit Lake, hiking nearby buttes and peaks, making nature sightings of wildlife, and picturesque views, as well as taking a cold dip in the reservoir. Throughout, students can enjoy building new friend communities through shared camp games or just hanging out with their new classmates. Nightly, participants return to the campsite for interactive meal prep, activities, bonding, conversations, and sleeping under the stars.

All hiking, paddling, and exploring activities are for beginners, at a low intensity, and will include instruction as needed. No outdoor experience or advanced fitness is necessary, but a willingness to participate is required. To prepare, try some physical activities such as swimming, hiking, walking, or biking prior to your arrival. Get plenty of rest and hydrate prior to this trip. Most importantly, bring a great attitude and willingness to learn.

Financial assistance available.

Register Now

Students taking a selfie at Willamette's Steppin Out program

A lake just below a snow capped Mt. Hood, surrounded by green trees

“I LOVED MY LEADERS <3 They were honestly the best humans I've met so far on this campus and I'm glad to have them as familiar faces on campus. ... [My Leaders] gave amazing advice for the coming year and let us know that if we ever need anything to reach out. They were all so caring and I felt safe under their leadership.”

Payton Kawahara '27

"I was always hesitant before to take action even though I knew what should be done, but I’ve gained the confidence to communicate more and talk through the situation."

Kai Morgan '27

Additional Information

Throughout the entire program, we will be recreating on land where various indigenous groups were violently removed. Leaders will be discussing this intersecting history, and the contemporary issues surrounding outdoors equity. Participants should be willing to engage in these conversations during their experience.

For more information please contact the Steppin' Out Leadership.

Please complete your required documents when you receive them in the registration confirmation email from us. This documentation is important for us to manage the risks and create the safest possible experience.

If you are not yet 18 by the program start date, you will need a parent, guardian, or caretaker present with you when you complete the waiver. A student of age 18 or older can complete the documentation themselves.

You can also access the Waiver, Health Disclosure, & Dietary Restrictions/Food Accommodations Form.

Email steppin-out-leadership-group@willamette.edu with any questions.

It is our goal to keep you well-fed, hydrated, and energized for our experiences. Your body will be working daily in the outdoors through hiking, walking, paddling, backpacking, playing games, and other fun experiences. Your team will work daily to cook and prepare warm meals for breakfast and dinner for the entire team. Lunches are typically fixings, where we supply a variety of sandwich components, trail mixes, and snacks that meet your needs while on the trail. We also provide snacks throughout the day to help keep up the energy. Your leaders will provide thorough cooking directions, ingredients, spices, and cooking supplies to allow your team to create nourishing and delicious meals. Cooking in the field is a great bonding experience. Please bring your own bowl, cup, and spoon for the trip! See the packing list for details.

Please understand we are in an outdoor environment and unable to keep items refrigerated. We have worked hard with many outdoor industry companies and organizations and have secured a menu that will support most if not all dietary restrictions, accommodations, and even the picky eater. The only way we can completely support you is by disclosing your needs to us in the documentation provided above. Please be open and honest and will make sure you have food that you can eat while in the Steppin’ Out programs.

If you are uncertain or would like to talk about specifics, please contact us at steppin-out-leadership-group@willamette.edu so we can be prepared to support you and provide alternative options. Lastly, you can always bring your own comfort snacks and food to the experience that would help supplement you and keep up your energy for the experience. Please eat and stay hydrated during this experience.

For hydration, we ask that you have a water system that can hold 32 to 64 oz or more of water a day. You can bring camelbacks, water bladders, water bottles, or any system you desire that works for you. All we ask is that they are durable enough to withstand the rigors of being outside and jostled around. If you desire hot or warm drinks in the morning we recommend an insulated cup or device that can handle those temperatures.

Steppin’ Out

Steppin’ Out:

Steppin’ Out 2026

Cascades Lakeside Camping

Additional Information

Campus Recreation

Salem Campus

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