Incoming students have the opportunity to start their Trinity College journey with a wilderness adventure. Trinity’s outdoor orientation program focuses on leadership development and community building.
For 21 summers, Trinity College has been proud to offer the Quest Leadership Program. Few colleges or universities offer an extended wilderness adventure comparable to Quest. The program’s philosophy encourages participants to take on new challenges and responsibilities, meet other Trinity students, and transition into college.
Students will be divided into groups of six to ten participants and transported from Trinity College to an outdoor experience in Connecticut, New York, and or Massachusetts. Previous outdoor experience is not required; two to three student instructors will teach all the basic wilderness skills necessary on the trip. The Quest program is predominately student run, where upperclass leaders at Trinity College are responsible for the climbing and rappelling facilitation, transportation, and overall program logistics. Trinity College faculty and staff may accompany portions of the first-year experience on Quest. At the conclusion of the program, participants will be transported back to campus.
For 2024, in addition to the mandatory programs during orientation, Quest is running a 7-Day Quest experience. Registration for all programs will be available shortly.
Quest offers several trip dates and options to accommodate students who wish to participate in more than one program and for athletes to participate in the start of fall sports.
Need to know what to bring or have more questions? We have gathered all the information you need in one place.
Since starting at Trinity College in 2004, Quest has trained over 300 student leaders to lead this outdoor orientation program for up to 170 first-years during our summer programs.
A fundraiser event that pushes the physical and mental limits of those involved
The Quest Leadership & Pre-Orientation Program is an extended wilderness adventure that allows Trinity students to start their college experience on the Appalachian Trail.
