Off-Campus Orientation Experiences

Denison includes a wide variety of off-campus orientations that provide a unique and enjoyable transition to life.

Off-Campus Orientation Experiences provide a positive start to life at Denison through a memorable shared experience with your new peers. You will leave campus for three days and two nights in order to connect with a smaller group of peers, faculty, staff, and student leaders.

We are currently planning our 2026 off-campus orientation experiences. Once we have everything set, students from the Denison Class of 2030 will be asked to review the offered trips and rank their favorites. Trip assignments will be sent to students in Summer 2026 ahead of New Student Orientation to help them plan for their adventure. To get an idea of what past experiences have been offered to our first-year students, explore below.

Explore

Why do we take you off campus as part of your orientation?

To form enduring friendships. Find your people before classes begin by forming meaningful relationships with fellow Denisonians who share your interests and passions.
To start your Denison experience with a network of support. Whether it’s a faculty member you can ask for academic advice, an upperclassman who can tell you what is happening on campus this weekend, or a fellow first-year student you can eat lunch with on the first day of classes, the bonds you form with your group will help you to flourish academically and socially in your first semester and beyond.
To gain the confidence to tackle your first year on The Hill. Focus on living in a community with fellow students from different backgrounds before you shift your focus to academics. Share your hopes, fears, and goals for your time at Denison with faculty, staff, and upperclass students who can then answer your questions about life at Denison.

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Choose Your Adventure

To help first-year students find the perfect fit, off-campus experiences are grouped by the type of accommodations — cabin, tent, or hotel — so you can choose the adventure style that feels just right for you.

Tent Experiences

From sleeping under the stars to tackling thrilling outdoor challenges like hiking, rock climbing, or kayaking, these programs are made for those who crave adventure and love connecting with nature. Get ready to embrace the wild and create unforgettable memories.

You will sleep on the ground in tents. All belongings and equipment are carried with you in backpacks or dry bags. Denison will provide tents, sleeping pads, sleeping bags, dry bags, and backpacks if you do not have your own.

Cabin Experiences

These programs are ideal for students who want to connect with nature while bonding with peers over campfires, group activities, and shared meals. It’s the perfect balance of outdoor exploration and a warm place to call home at the end of the day!

Cabin experiences take place at summer camps in Ohio. You will sleep in twin-sized bunk beds in cabins made for 10-14 people. Restrooms and showers are located in another building a short walk from sleeping quarters. Meals will be eaten in each camp’s main dining hall. Dining Halls will prepare food that accommodates all dietary requirements of our participants.

Hotel Experiences

Dive into city adventures, connect with Denison alumni, and explore vibrant communities. Perfect for those who love engaging experiences with the convenience and comfort of a hotel stay.

You will sleep in a hotel room with two queen-sized beds with one other student. The two of you will share the bathroom. Breakfast will be provided at your hotel, and other meals will be at take-out or sit-down restaurants in your area. All hotel trips will include quite a bit of city walking.

Frequently Asked Questions

There is no cost for participating in one of these experiences as part of your orientation.

Student-athletes moving in early for football, cross country, field hockey, soccer, volleyball, and golf don’t participate in these orientations. However, student-athletes gain all the benefits of the off-campus orientations as they live on campus with their team during their pre-season practices. Your coach will provide information about your special move-in day.

You will rank your top five off-campus experiences in your Enrollment Checklist starting in May. We will give preference to your first choice, but space on each trip is limited. You could be assigned any of your five choices, so be sure to consider which experiences would most excite you carefully. A notification will be sent to you in late June with your trip assignment.

New students coming from abroad will move in on Monday, Aug. 18.
New students from the United States will move in on Wednesday, Aug. 20, followed by afternoon programming and the Induction Ceremony for the Class of 2029.
On Friday, Aug. 24, participants will travel to the location of their off-campus experiences, returning on Tuesday, Aug. 26.

You will receive a detailed packing list for your off-campus orientation experience in the summer months. Plan to pack a separate bag for your trip so you don’t have to unpack all your bags! All programs include considerable walking; comfortable closed-toe walking shoes are required.

Meals are included, but students participating in a city-based program may want to bring an additional $50-$100 to help cover the cost of other food or shopping.

Our physically challenging off-campus orientation experiences are for students who are ready to be active throughout their trip.

Denison Outdoor Orientation: You will walk 2-6 miles per day on mixed terrain while carrying packs. You have to be able to carry more than 40 pounds, walk more than 10,000 steps on uneven ground, sleep on the ground, and be comfortable while being wet.
Denison Canoeing Orientation: You will need the ability to sit upright in a canoe and paddle for several hours a day. Canoeing experience is preferred, and swimming ability is required.
Denison Whitewater Orientation: You will need the ability to sit upright in a kayak or raft and paddle for an extended period of time. Kayaking experience is preferred, and swimming ability is required. You will spend a considerable amount of time in the river and should be comfortable while being wet.

Denison University is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible environment.

If you require accommodations to participate in this event, please contact Accessibility & Disability Services at 740-587-6666 or disabilityservices@denison.edu. While advance notice is appreciated, we will do our best to accommodate requests even with short notice.

Accessibility Guide