VEGA Essential Info Packet VEGA Checklist Read entire Essential Information Packet! Complete Health History and Assumption of Risk forms o Will receive in separate email Review Gear List and acquire all items Visit AURORA website for more information and FAQ s o https://www.shaverscreek.org/aurora/ Follow AURORA on social media for more info & updates o Facebook: AURORA Penn State Outdoor Orientation Programs o Instagram: @pennstateaurora Pack your belongings and embark on your VEGA experience Contact Us Trip-Related Questions 814.865.3890 Registration & Billing Questions 814.865.3880 Any Questions aurora@outreach.psu.edu Since I have been at college, I have told probably a hundred people about AURORA and what a wonderful experience I had. I made great friends and it helped me transition into college much more easily than I would have. -AURORA Participant
VEGA Expedition Description Arrival & Travel Arrangements Where: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac) o You are responsible for getting yourself to SeaTac for the start of the program. Our staff will meet you at baggage claim. When: August 12 Flight should be scheduled to arrive no later than 2:00pm PT. o Your flight (or other transport if not flying) MUST be scheduled to arrive by this time! o See below for departure information What you need: Personal gear and clothing (see Gear List below), lunch for your travel day o Be sure to drink at least 64oz of water on your travel day! Departure Flight: Students will be transported back to Seattle-Tacoma Airport (SeaTac) on Friday morning. Flights must be scheduled to leave no earlier than 10:00am PT. After booking your flight, please follow the link below and enter your itinerary information. Please add this information no later than 1 month prior to your trip! Travel Itinerary Link Backpacking Although each VEGA expedition will vary, participants should expect to spend the next four days and three nights backpacking in challenging and variable terrain with their group. Each participant will be carrying a 30 to 50-pound pack that contains food, gear, and personal items for anywhere between four and ten miles a day on variable terrain depending on the pace the group decides works best for them. (Participants are encouraged to physically prepare before arriving.) During this time you will learn a great deal about yourself and others as you hike, camp, keep a journal, and explore. Together you will learn from one another and your instructors the proper methods of environmentally conscious camping, including group cooking, tarp placement, water purification, and backcountry hygiene. Additional Adventure Experience Following your backpacking expedition, you will spend a day sea kayaking to further explore the Olympic Peninsula. Cell Phone Policy Cell phones are not permitted on your trip. You may bring them with you on opening day, but they will be left in a secure location with any bags or extra items for the duration of your experience. Cell phones take away from the experience that your AURORA trip aims to provide and act as a distraction when in the backcountry. Your trip leaders will have cell phones for use only in case of an emergency. Physical Preparation The best way to prepare for VEGA is to spend some time undertaking physical conditioning If you are used to spending your days sitting in a classroom, start simply by walking and increase to running, hiking, swimming, and other cardiovascular activities will help to get you in shape. Hiking boots are the most important piece of equipment that you will bring. Be sure the boots you have are truly made for hiking; they should be well broken in, sturdy, and fit well with some wiggle room. If you are buying new boots, be sure to work with your local outdoor retailer to ensure that you have the proper fit and correct boot for your feet. Blisters are a common complaint with VEGA participants. If your feet are sore on the trail, you will not be enjoying the program as much as you could be. Conclusion Final Evening o Clean and de-issue gear o Discuss remainder of course requirements and assignments o Fill out program evaluations VEGA 2
Gear List What should I bring? The list below includes the items that you are required to bring with you as personal gear. Your local outdoor retailer can help outfit with these items, or you can visit Appalachian Outdoors in State College before your trip. This list has been meticulously assembled by our expert staff, so bring ALL that is listed below, don t overpack with other items, and come ready for VEGA! Clothing & Footwear T-shirts 2 o Should be made of synthetic material or wool. NO COTTON! No thin strap tank tops, they don t protect your shoulders from your backpack straps. Rain Jacket 1 o Lightweight, waterproof, breathable. Expect rain! Midweight fleece or wool sweater 1 o Insulating for cool nights Shorts/Pants 2-3 pairs o Loose fit, synthetic. Hiking or athletic shorts, hiking or windproof pants o NO COTTON, NO JEANS! Other Items Socks 3 pairs o Should be hiking-specific and made of synthetic material or wool. NO COTTON! Underwear 2-3 pairs o Synthetic works best, compression shorts help prevent chafing. NO COTTON! Winter hat, & gloves o For chilly nights Hiking Boots 1 pair o Your most important piece of equipment! Camp Shoes 1 pair o Must be closed-toed. Old sneakers or Crocs work well. Water Bottle 1 o Should be 1 liter, leakproof. Nalgenes work well. An additional bottle will be provided for you. CamelBak or similar bladders work fine as well. Headlamp/Flashlight 1 o Small and light, bring extra batteries. Bowl and Eating Utensil 1 of each o For eating out of, should be lightweight and small. Tupperware works well. o Sporks are ideal, but not necessary. Should be sturdy. Personal Items o Toothbrush & toothpaste (travel size), personal medications (personal epi-pen, allergy medicine, inhaler, ibuprofen or acetaminophen), feminine products, bug spray, sunscreen. Clothes for Travel Home & Shower Supplies o You will shower on the final day. Bring a towel, shampoo, soap, and other shower items. These clothes for the trip home may be cotton. Optional Items Camp Chair Bandana for a variety of purposes Mug for hot drinks What NOT To Bring Baseball Cap Camera Not your cell phone! Electronics this includes ipods, ipads, computers, cell phones, and other devices. Cotton No cotton clothing should be brought along! VEGA 3
Additional Information Clothing and Layering (Excerpted from Rick Curtis The Backpacker s Field Manual) The clothing layers should consist of several different types of fabrics. Cotton is comfortable and breathable, but it absorbs and retains water, and therefore it will NOT keep you warm if it gets wet. Also, it can be difficult to dry. For this reason you should NOT bring cotton clothes such as sweatshirts, sweatpants socks, or jeans. We strongly encourage you to wear nylon, polyester or synthetic clothing. Wool, synthetic fleece, and polyester fabrics don t absorb water so they keep you warm even if they get wet. Fleece also dries very quickly. A wool sweater or fleece jacket provides warmth on a cold evening. These are essential to your comfort on the trip! Group Gear VEGA will provide all necessary group gear and equipment for your trips. This includes backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, tents, stoves, first aid kits, maps, and other items. You are welcome to bring your own personal backpacks, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads if you desire, they will be assessed by our staff before departing on the trip. Hiking boots The most important piece of equipment that you will bring. Be sure the boots you have are truly made for hiking; they should be well broken in, sturdy, and fit well with some wiggle room. If you are buying new boots, be sure to work with your local outdoor retailer to ensure that you have the proper fit and correct boot for your feet. Blisters are a common complaint with VEGA participants. If your feet are sore on the trail, you will not be enjoying the program as much as you could be. Appalachian Ski & Outdoors is a local State College outdoor retailer. As an AURORA sponsor, the store offers a 10% discount to all AURORA participants as well as a great website to help you with gear selection. Go to http://www.appoutdoors.com/ or stop by the store to find everything you need to be properly outfitted for VEGA. Your web discount code: 18AURORA Early Move-In An added benefit for AURORA participants is the opportunity to put your belongings (not electronics) into storage in the Housing area where you have your fall housing assignment. You should receive your fall housing assignment by the end of July. If you would like to move your belongings into storage, you will need to contact your assigned housing area and make an appointment. Storage availability is at the discretion of each housing office and may be available as early as August 5. Due to summer school, construction projects, and a very busy summer conference schedule there is high probability that you will NOT be able to store your belongings in your fall room assignment. An attempt will be made to provide an alternative storage location elsewhere in the building or respective Housing area but please note that early storage cannot be guaranteed. ALL questions related to storage must be directed to the appropriate Housing Office listed below, we have no control over this process and therefore are unable answer your specific storage questions. Pollock Halls: 814-865-4321 North Halls: 814-865-9521 West Halls: 814-865-9526 East Halls: 814-865-1791 South Halls: 814-865-2391 VEGA 4
VEGA Food The VEGA menu has been adapted and modified throughout the years the program has been running. Our expert staff has assembled an array of trail-friendly foods that are packed with energy and nutrition to fuel you throughout your VEGA experience. All food is provided by the program, however you are welcome to bring additional snacks if you so choose. Below is an example of the menu for your VEGA week. VEGA Menu Travel Day Day 1 Breakfast On your own Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Adventure Day & Cookout Day 5 Final Day Stop on Way (bring $) Snacks On your own Snack Pack Snack Pack Snack Pack Snack Pack X Lunch On your own Flatbread Hummus Dinner Stop on Way (bring $) Stir-Fry Broccoli Zucchini Onions Quinoa Canned Chicken Soy Sauce Hot Sauce Flatbread Hummus Tacos s Green Pepper Rice Onion Black Beans Hot Sauce Flatbread Humus Backcountry Risotto Rice Cream of Mushroom Soup Frozen Peas Frozen Corn Provided by Adventures Through Kayaking Cookout at Campsite X X ALLERGIES AND DIETARY RESTRICTIONS We are experienced in dealing with an array of food allergies and dietary restrictions. We can easily tweak our menus for vegetarians and various food allergies. PLEASE be sure to make note of your restrictions on your Health Form so that we can make these tweaks. Note: Our programs are Gluten-Free Friendly. What does that mean? All our dinners are made with glutenfree ingredients, and our breakfasts and lunches have gluten-free options. Our bagels and sandwich thins are not gluten-free, but those are only options at certain meals. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us. For food related questions please contact Drew at 814.865.3927 VEGA 5