6 Day Multi-Element in the Finger Lakes (FULL)
Explore the Ithaca area through a variety of fun and diverse activities! Backpack through the Finger Lakes, canoe on Beebe Lake, rock climb on the largest rock wall east of the Mississippi and enjoy the high-flying activities of the Hoffman Challenge Course (just to name a few). You'll start your Cornell career with more unique experiences than many students have by graduation. Possible activities include canoeing, low and high elements at the Hoffman Challenge Course, tree climbing, rock climbing, 2-3 days backpacking.
Please be aware that multi-element trips tend to have a high demand, and spots are extremely limited. Participants are strongly encouraged to consider listing other trip options when registering, and keep an open mind!
| Trip Dates | August 12, 2025: Arrive in Ithaca between 11am-1pm (Day 0) August 13, 2025: Trip departs (Day 1) August 18, 2025: Trip returns to Ithaca for Camp-o-rama (Day 6) August 19, 2025: Move-in day (Day 7) |
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| Trip Fee | $585 Financial Assistance available |
| Location | Finger Lakes Region, NY |
| Activity Level | This trip entails weight bearing backpacking for a few days, covering about 3-5 miles per day on rolling terrain. The other activities aren't particularly demanding, but all require energy and involve active participation (but no prior experience!) |
| Basecamping | Yes, for the non-backpacking portion |
| Access to showers or restrooms | No |
| Day 0 | Trip participants arrive between 11:00AM and 1:00PM at Cornell, trip participants and their guides meet and begin to get to know each other, prepare their belongings for the trip and have a trip dinner (usually at one of the restaurants in Collegetown). Trip participants and their guides sleep on the Arts Quad. |
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| Day 1 | The trip wakes up bright and early and heads off to the starting point of their backpacking trip. |
| Days 2-5 | The itinerary for multi-element trips change each year. The non-backpacking part of the trip will consist of base-camping in one spot and enjoying the different activities in the Ithaca area without moving camp each day. |
| Day 6 | All trips return to Ithaca for Camp-O-Rama, a closing ceremony and celebration of the Outdoor Odyssey trips. Trip participants clean their gear, share a meal with other trips, and get the chance to meet some of the ~200 other participants. |
| Day 7 | Trip is shuttled back to Bartels Hall on the morning of move-in day, where the participants return their rented gear as a group. Once all gear is returned, trip participants are free to register at Bartels Hall and move into their dorms. Oftentimes, guides will help their trip participants move in. |
Testimonial
"Thanks for such a tremendous experience. My son started Cornell with a fantastic bonding experience. This gave him immediate good friends and helped to calm those Freshman nerves. Thanks!!"