Congratulations on your acceptance! Now that you are a student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, this is the program to start your college experience off on the right foot. Wilderness Welcome has been introducing students to each other and the Alaskan Wilderness for over 15 years. Whether you are coming to Alaska to explore the “Last Frontier” or you are from Fairbanks itself, Wilderness Welcome gives you the opportunity to make friends, challenge yourself and see some of Alaska’s amazing wild areas. This is an excellent way to transition into life at UAF.

No experience is required for Wilderness Welcome trips, but all students must be in good physical condition. Whether you are an experienced outdoors person or looking to learn a new activity, you will be challenged on Wilderness Welcome. It's your gateway to UAF's 360+ million-acre classroom.

There are up to five separate groups that head out into the wilderness of Alaska.  The different trips types include rafting, backpacking, canoeing and inflatable kayaking. 

Monday, August 26^th - Students should arrive in Fairbanks on this day. Transportation from the airport can be arranged. Students who plan to live on campus can move into their room that day. Students living off-campus will need to provide their own housing. Anyone arriving early will need to provide their own housing before this day.

Day 1, Tuesday August 27^th- Wilderness Welcome begins!  This day will consist of pre-trip meetings, brief tours of campus and Fairbanks as well as taking care of new student business like the Polar Express cards and the campus post office. It will also serve as a day to allow students to get over any jet-lag. Personal errands should be taken care of prior to meeting at 10:00am this day.  Once the program begins, students will be very busy and will need to be there for the day's activities. 

Day 2-5, Wednesday-Saturday August 28^th -31: Students will depart for the field on one of five different four-day adventures. The morning will be spent driving, but students will be hiking, rafting, canoeing or kayaking by lunch time.  On Saturday, students will return from their trips in the late afternoon. There will then be a large group BBQ after all the gear has been cleaned up, and then the students spend the night in their dorm rooms.

Sunday, August 26: This is the first day of traditional Orientation.

Each August trip costs $425.  This includes transportation, food, equipment, instructors, housing. Students must provide footwear, clothing and personal items. A complete packing list will be mailed after we receive your registration. A $50 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of registration. We accept cash, check and Visa/MasterCard.

Register Soon! Click here for the 2013 application form.  Any questions, call us (907)474-6027.