Illustrations by Drue Wagner

“Even though I didn’t realize it in the moment, first-year trips were perhaps one of the best experiences I’ve had at Dartmouth. There’s something so crazy about leaving a bunch of students who don’t know anything about each other on canoes for three days, camping on islands, and taking in the beautiful sights this place has to offer. In the best way possible, that’s the kind of crazy that made Dartmouth feel like home for me.” —Gouri Mehra ’27

“It was nice to feel like a child at summer camp, not some stuck-up Ivy League student too good for some outdoor fun.”—Will Dehmel ’26

“It was incredible to see my trippees push themselves out of their comfort zone in terms of camping and be willing to try new things and come out the other end really excited about it.” — Gabi Rodriguez ’23

“First-Year trips is a transition-to-Dartmouth program that supports incoming students by providing an engaging and fun space where they can develop a sense of belonging at Dartmouth and its surrounding areas through a small-group, inclusive, and accessible overnight, outdoor experience. We center incoming students’ experiences and provide them with layers of peer support and the opportunity to build lasting and intentional connections within the Dartmouth community. Trips also creates an environment for peer leaders to both reflect on their time at Dartmouth and play a meaningful role in introducing Dartmouth to others.” —Outdoor Programs Office

“On my trip I met one of my best friends. I thank trips for our friendship. We joke that if we weren’t trippees, we would’ve never crossed paths.” —Leila Brady ’27

“The cabin and cooking trip was right next to us, and we were so tired of eating Annie’s mac and cheese on repeat. So, we stole their cooked food every day and ate something that was not sunflower butter.” —Catherine Seok ’26

“In 2018 I took the hike-and-climb trip. We were dropped off in the wrong spot, so what would have been a pretty straightforward, easy hike was about two or three times that length, and no way were we going to make it to our camp. The logistics Croo shuttled us to our camp. We had a different trail experience than any of the other hike-and-climb groups.” —Alex Wells ’22

“When orientation can feel so overwhelming, trips was the part where I kind of started to feel myself loosen up a little bit.” —Ava Weinrot ’27

“I had never exposed myself to anything outdoorsy—and absolutely nothing like first-year trips. My kayaking trip had me kayak, camp outdoors, learn how to start a bonfire, cook outdoors, and use an outhouse for the first time. The trips experience gave me the perfect glimpse into what Dartmouth life is actually like.” —Heya Shah ’26

“I love to hike, and it was great to be able to access the natural areas around Dartmouth so early on in my time here. On my trip, I made friendships and connections that only became stronger throughout the school year. Trips really helps bond people in a special way.” —Daniel Rublin ’27

“As we were cooking in our cabin, the carbon monoxide alarm went off and we had to run outside. Suddenly an old man approached us and told us he was an alum who visits groups on trips. He had a banjo, or maybe a ukelele, and some songsheets. Together we sang some folk songs and waited for the van. While most of us were scared in the woods without any internet or signal, it made for a heartwarming experience and bonded all of us.” —Fatemah Ebrahim ’26

“Cooking for a group of hungry 20-year-olds with very limited supplies is definitely intimidating.” —Maud McCole ’23