Frequently Asked Questions

Any incoming new student, including transfers. WBO is designed to serve as an adventure-based orientation for all new Western students. If you have been admitted to Western for the fall semester, you are welcome to participate in WBO.

It is not just for folks who know their way around the outdoors. On the contrary, WBO is for any student who is interested in having an awesome experience, is ready to learn a new skill and wants to get to know their new home in the Gunnison Valley. No prior experience is required to participate, you just need to be physically and mentally prepared for the challenge.

Sign up for WBO online through your Navigator portal or via the email sent to you be admissions! Students must be registered for classes before signing up for a WBO trip. From the Western homepage, navigate to the WBO page and register for your desired course. Registration opens June 10, 2025 at 10am MST.

Some items to note before signing up:

• You MUST be registered for classes before you sign up for WBO.
• You should use your Western email address and password to register for WBO. If they do not work, create an account using your new Western email and password.
• You MUST use a desktop/laptop to sign up – NO MOBILE DEVICES
• Registration takes around 30 minutes to complete. Please ignore the timer on the sign-up page.
• Be sure to have your full medical history and insurance information on hand.
• Trips book quickly, so be sure to sign up ASAP.

Yes. On-campus New Student Orientation is mandatory for all first-time freshmen and transfer students with 23 credits or less. WBO courses are offered as supplemental programs to New Student Orientation, not as a substitute.

Here on the Western WBO page, simply find what trip you are interested in or going on, and review the Important Trip Materials.

Each WBO expedition is different. The amount of skill and physical difficulty of each particular expedition is explained in the Course Description and Essential Eligibility Requirements. It can be very challenging to acclimate to our high-altitude backcountry courses (backpacking and mountaineering) if coming from at or near sea level. We recommend at least three days of acclimation in the Gunnison Valley before attempting one of those trips, and even that is no guarantee of success. We do everything we can to accommodate participants without changing the nature of the trip. Please see Essential Eligibility requirements and Course Descriptions on the course descriptions on this site for further details.

The fee is used to cover the direct costs of the expedition such as transportation, food, equipment, permits and staff stipend. The fee does not cover the cost of overhead such as the Director’s salary or facilities usage. Trips costs are to be paid in full and payment becomes non-refundable after June 27th, 2025. Payments are due in full at the time of registration through the registration link on the Western website or via email from Admissions.

• Register online by viewing the WBO page on the Western website follow the link to register.
• Pay trip price in full.
• You MUST complete all waivers either online (during registration process) and/or send back via email to wbo@western.edu by no later than July 15th, 2025.

• Yes! WBO is proud to offer scholarships for those with financial need and who exemplify the values of WBO.
• Scholarship applications are due June 2nd, 2025.
• Applicants will be notified regarding their standing by July 2nd, 2025 and must accept their award by July 11th, 2025 at 4 p.m. MST.
• Applicants who do not accept their award on or before July 11th, 2025, will no longer be eligible to receive the scholarship.
• Scholarship applicants are rated on content/effort, structure, language/grammar/mechanics, and financial need. There will be a few partial scholarships and one full scholarship.
• Successful scholarship recipients will be credited through their scholarship account (Blackbaud).

Our program has an excellent safety record. Many WBO trip leaders hold current Wilderness First Responder medical certifications, and all instructors are First Aid/CPR certified. The program is administered by a full-time professional with multiple years of outdoor programming and guiding experience and is fully backed by Western Colorado University.

• Yes. Students attending a WBO course may move into their room the day prior to WBO course departure. This gives you time to safely store your belongings before you leave.
• Go directly to your Residence Life Office in the University Center between 2 pm and 4 pm MST on August 14th, 2025 to check into your room and get your key.
• If you are participating in the Whitewater Rafting WBO, then your move in date is August 13th, from 2-4pm.

No, you cannot stay in the Residence Halls if you decide for some reason to not attend your awesome adventure. The only time you may is if you are sick or injured.

We will feed you three meals a day plus snacks starting with breakfast on the first day of your course and ending with a closing BBQ. You can use your dining plan starting the following morning at Rare Air Cafe. If you are moving into your residence hall on August 14th, 2025, you will need to feed yourself that night.

No. Courses are available to incoming new Western students only.

Trip refunds are available until June 27th, 2025.

Meet outside the south side of the University Center at 8am MST. Our instructors will be waiting and will split you into groups.

WBO reserves the right to change program locations, itineraries, group size and instructor ratio should the need arise due to weather, water levels, closures of public lands, staffing, equipment, safety or program issues.

Many students who participate in WBO come from places closer to sea level than Gunnison. Performing front and backcountry adventures can be a challenge, especially at 7,703 feet or more! We recommend these training plans if you are interested in some preparation for the altitude you will experience during your WBO trip.

• Suggested Workout for Backpacking or Mountaineering
• Suggested Workout for Rock Climbing or Multi-Sport Adventure
• Suggested Workout for Whitewater Kayaking or Whitewater Rafting