Click Here to Apply for the Trip as a Participant
Click Here to Apply for Trip Leader Position (Faculty, Staff, Alum, and Students)

General Information

The New Student Immersion Experiences are designed to give new Luther students the opportunity to engage in experiential learning, reflect on the natural environment, and share in fellowship with one or more current Luther students and a Luther faculty or staff member. Each group will be lead by an upperclass student and a Luther alum, faculty, or staff member.

The programs will take place during the week immediately preceding new student orientation, August 18-26. Participants will get dropped at Luther, move into their rooms and attend a general orientation with their parents or guardians on August 18.  All trips depart the morning of August 19.

Programs

Paddling the Boundary Waters of Northern Minnesota
Hiking the North Shore
Canoeing the Upper Iowa River
Bicycling Adventure
Local Foods Tour
Non-Profit Service Trip
Yellow River Hiking Trip

What if I Have Never Been in a Canoe or Carried a Pack or Ridden Forty Miles in a Single Day?

Prior outdoor experience in camping, hiking, canoeing, or cycling is not required. Inexperienced campers are highly encouraged to apply. To be sure, you may capsize your canoe in the Upper Iowa, feel the ache in your shoulders as you finish carrying your canoe from one lake to another, and long for a soft mattress, but we think you will find the activity worth it. As one participant wrote: “This was the best possible way for me to start my college experience. I enjoyed meeting a small group of people right away. I developed a few very solid friendships. It was also nice getting to talk to an upperclassman. This was one of the best experiences of my life and is a great opportunity for incoming freshmen.”

Group Leaders

Although Luther College faculty, staff, or alum will participate in each program, upperclass students will provide primary leadership. Each student leader has outdoor experience and basic first-aid training. As the immersion programs grow, it is our hope that future leaders will be chosen from those who have participated in the program as new students.

Cost

The cost to participate in most trips is $175. Due to higher expenses, the cost to participate in the Boundary Waters trips is $225. This includes room, meals, transportation, and all fees associated with the program.

Application Procedures

You may begin applying on Monday, February 1.  Registration is limited to 75 participants and we will select persons on a first come, first serve basis.  Registration will close when all spots are filled.  On June 15 we will begin assigning students to immersion programs.  You will receive an e-mail confirming the trip you have been placed on shortly after June 15.  IF SOME OPPORTUNITIES HAVE FILLED, WE WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE APPLICATIONS FOR ALL OPPORTUNITIES AND USE A WAITING LIST TO DETERMINE THE FINAL PARTICIPANTS.

You can find the application on the Sustainability website at www.luther.edu/sustainability/. There you will be able to indicate which trips interest you and submit your 2011 New Student Immersion Experience application. Because we want to be sure you have thought about the immersion experience prior to applying, please be prepared to answer a few short questions about your motivation to participate in the program and what you hope to gain from the
experience.

For more information, contact the Admissions Office at (800) 4 LUTHER. For more information and pictures from previous immersion trips, go to www.luther.edu/sustainability.