Request a Program
Outdoor Education and Leadership can take your club, group, or organization on your own adventure!
Requested programs are trips that specific classes, clubs, or groups would like to do, and are only open to the specific individuals associated with that group. We call these “closed enrollment” trips because only specific people can participate, as opposed to the “open enrollment” trips that are open for all students, and totally free (Including food, gear, and transportation)!
OEL Requested Programs can be a great way for a group to get to know each other outside of the classroom, for club members to bond, or for teammates to try new activities!
We always accept requests for Requested Programs, but are able to accommodate a limited amount each semester. Fill out the form below to request a program.
Choose from five unique outdoor adventures:
Each trip includes two or more student trip leaders to guide the experience.
Bike Ride and Ice Cream
Time: 3 hours
Number of participants: Minimum of 5, maximum of 12
Participants will meet at the Christy Mathewson Memorial Stadium to be outfitted with bikes and helmets before heading off for a leisurely bike ride on the rail trail. After a few miles, the group will stop for ice cream at the Purple Cow, a local favorite spot for a sweet treat. OEL will provide bikes, helmets, and bike locks, although folks can bring their own if they’d like. Participants are responsible for covering the cost of ice cream!
Paddling on the Susquehanna
Time: 3 hours
Number of participants: Minimum of 8, maximum of 20
Participants will meet at the OEL Basecamp in Tustin before driving to Milton State Park. The group will then paddle about 5 miles from Milton State Park back to Bucknell Landing. The boats are all tandem kayaks, with 1 single kayak available for an odd number of participants. All gear and snacks are included!
Hiking in Bald Eagle State Forest
Time: 4 hours
Number of participants: Minimum of 5, Maximum of 10
Participants will meet at the OEL Basecamp in Tustin before heading out to hike in Bald Eagle State Forest! The drive to the trailhead is 40 minutes; the hike is a 3 mile out-and-back trail with a gentle climb on the way out. There is a beautiful vista overlooking Penns Creek where the group can stop for a snack, or lunch.
Daypacks, water bottles, trekking poles and some clothing (rain gear, warm jackets) are included. Snacks are included as well!
Your group may opt in to a sandwich lunch.
Hiking at Ricketts Glen State Park
Time: 5 hours
Number of participants: Minimum of 5, maximum of 10
Participants will meet at the OEL Basecamp in Tustin before heading out to hike at Ricketts Glen State Park! The drive to the trailhead is 1 hour; the hike is a 4 mile loop that leads you by waterfall views! There is some elevation change.
Daypacks, water bottles, trekking poles and some clothing (rain gear, warm jackets) are included. Snacks are included as well!
Your group may opt in to a sandwich lunch.
Large Group Program
Time: 3-5 hours
Number of participants: 20 – 60+
For large groups seeking an outdoor experience, we have created an outdoor adventure that can accommodate many people!
Enjoy an afternoon at Montour Preserve, just 20 minutes from campus. Spend time hanging out under the pavilion, playing yard games, paddling on the lake, playing at the playground, and hiking around the preserve!
Snacks and cold drinks will be provided!
Certain aspects of this program, including transportation and food, are dependent on group size.
Frequently Asked Questions
Program requests are reserved for members of the Bucknell community. This may include student organizations, residential housing affinities, faculty led groups, etc.
At this time we are unable to accommodate requests from public individuals/groups/organizations.
When we receive a request, there are a few things that we must determine: gear availability, vehicle availability, trip leader availability and appropriate driver certifications, on-call availability, as well as time of year and weather.
OEL Staff review requests for fall semester programs in July, spring semester programs in November, and summer programs in March.
If we are unable to meet your request due to one of the factors listed, we’ll let you know. If we have availability to meet your request, we’ll begin to figure out the details such as date/time, transportation, participant waivers and health forms, and more!
Three weeks prior to your program, we will need a list of participants and will send out a waiver for everyone to complete. This collects important health information, such as dietary restrictions. We need final confirmation of all participants two weeks prior to the program.
We’ll connect you with your student trip leaders who will be running your program, and provide a detailed itinerary for the day.
You are more than welcome to use your own gear on our trips!
Please note:
- Everyone on the biking trips are required to wear a helmet while on a bike.
- We are unable to provide transportation for personal boats, for paddling trips.
- Everyone on a paddling trip is required to wear a PFD while on the water.
Unfortunately, most trips are not able to be “sized up” to accommodate a larger group, but it depends on the activity and the group size!
Group size has been determined by our gear availability, seats in our vehicles, and out of consideration for the environment. It’s worth it to ask, and we’ll let you know!
Larger groups may result in more trip leaders, food, gear and vehicles, which may increase the cost of the trip.
Our Large Group Program was created to work for many people, and offer a variety of activities!
Requested programs are not supported by the OEL budget, so they run at cost recovery in addition to an income source to subsidize open enrollment student experiences. The cost is dependent on staffing, gear, transportation, and food.
Programs generally cost between $200- $500. Large group programs can cost between $500 – $1,000.
The total cost and cost breakdown will be shared with you when staff follow up on your request.
We understand that life, and the weather, are unpredictable!
If you need to cancel your program, please provide 3 weeks notice for a full refund.
Cancellations with less than 3 weeks notice will be refunded for half of the total cost.
Cancellations within 48 hours of the program will not be refunded.
Cancellations due to weather will be made in collaboration with the group’s leader and OEL staff at least 24 hours in advance. Cancellations due to weather will be fully refunded, and will receive priority in rescheduling, with no guarantee that rescheduling is possible.
There are many ways to be involved with OEL!
- We run trips most every week, at no cost for Bucknell students! See the trip options and sign up here.
- Our indoor bouldering wall is open 5 days a week – come climb with us!
- The Rental and Outfitting Center is open 5 days a week for students, faculty, and staff to rent gear for their outdoor adventures!
- Bison Bikes provides students with a free bike rental for the semester.
- Please feel free to reach out to oelinfo@bucknell.edu with any questions!