Trip Options

Quest offers two different start dates and general trip lengths to appeal to a variety of student interest. All of our trip options are designed to accommodate students of all abilities and experiences. All programs camp either in a wilderness site or at local campground offering backcountry and front country camping and have options for different ability levels.

Quest offers different trips for incoming students to choose from. Some options include:

8-Day Backpacking & Canoeing

August 20–27, 2025
Cost: $600: scholarships available

This trip is the heart and soul of Quest. This year’s 8-day participants will backpack across the Appalachian Mountains of Connecticut, New York and parts of Massachusetts, with the main goal of attempting to complete the 52 miles of trail along the Connecticut section of the Appalachian Trail. Participants will become familiar with all the wilderness skills necessary to live comfortably in nature. Groups of 5–8 incoming students and their student instructors will travel to new camping locations each day hiking. This longer trip is the perfect way to transition to life at Trinity College, allowing more time for students to form connections with peers, their Quest mentor, and the outdoor environment.  

5-Day Quest Experiences

August 23–27, 2025
Cost: $250, scholarships available

No matter what outdoor experience you have, Quest has a program for you. All trips prepare incoming students for a smooth transition into a life at Trinity by forming bonds with their fellow students and fostering independence. All trips have beginner and advanced options for students experiencing the outdoors for the first time or for the seasoned veteran. 

5-Day Backpacking Trip

This trip offers a great opportunity for incoming students to form bonds with their classmates as well as their upperclassmen leaders. Groups of 6–8 incoming students and 2 student leaders will backpack sections of the Appalachian Trail in Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts, traveling between 4–8 miles per day, making camp along the way. The 4-day experience provides just the right amount of time for incoming students to learn and implement the wilderness skills to live in the woods. The different options for ability levels allow students to choose their desired challenge. Beginner trips will have less elevation gain and loss than those who choose the advanced level trips. Students will learn about their section of trail during the first day of Quest. 

5-Day Backpacking and Rock Climbing: Combo

Similar to the backpacking trips the combo trip will travel in small groups on the Appalachian trail with their peers. The combo trip is a great opportunity to experience both backpacking and outdoor rock climbing with other incoming students. The combo trip offers a full day of rock climbing and three backpacking days. Students will learn the basic skills of both rock climbing and backcountry travel through this combo experience. 

5-Day Base Camp Trip: Day Adventures

This front country base camping option allows students to stay in one campsite the entire trip and experience multiple types of outdoor recreational activities. From hiking to rock climbing and possibly canoeing. This trip has several options for students to connect with peers while participating in different modes of travel.

Please reach out to one of the Quest Trainers with any questions about programs. We look forward to welcoming you to the Trinity community this fall.