迎新周期间, all new first-year students participate in a 3-day backpacking trip led by second-year 荒野 leaders. 在第一学期, they participate in the 荒野 Program Wild 1 ExEd (Experiential Education) to learn the campus trails. 10月, 西南研究期间, 学生们有机会在大峡谷进行为期五天的背包探险.

All first year students have the option to participate in a Project Week backpacking trip to the Blue Range Primitive Area in Arizona.  选择参加的学生 荒野领导培训 参加Wild 2 ExEd学习野外急救.  At the end of the school year these students spend 14 days backpacking in the Pecos 荒野 in Santa Fe National Forest to learn leadership and backpacking skills. These expeditions are led by professional outdoor educators who are experienced at creating supportive learning environments to help students work as a team. 在这些旅行中, 学生们在偏远地区旅行，磨练技术领域的技能，如露营工艺, 风险管理, 和导航. 更重要的是, 他们面临着成为领导者的挑战, 提高沟通技巧, 自力更生, 和自我意识. The culmination of the 荒野领导培训 is to lead incoming first year students on the August orientation backpacking trip.

所有学生都有机会在九月和十一月进行周末背包旅行. 选择继续参加野外项目的野外领袖参加野外3 ExEd, giving them the opportunity to practice group facilitation and co-leadership by taking first year students on short hikes on the campus trails. They also continue to lead weekend trips and provide first aid support for community events held on campus.

All second year students who have participated in two overnight trips are eligible to go on a winter camping trip to a Yurt outside of Taos, NM. 在这次旅行中，学生们穿着雪鞋来到蒙古包，学习如何建造雪屋.  

项目周期间, 荒野 leaders have the option to continue to develop their outdoor skills on an advanced backpacking trip to southern Utah where they navigate new landscapes. 成功完成这一体验后, leaders are eligible to participate in a capstone trek: an independent overnight backpacking trip in small groups of 4-5 students. The capstone trek is designed to challenge their skills and offer time to reflect on the transition beyond UWC-USA and ways in which they will take their wilderness learning, 他们的学校经历, 和UWC的使命伴随他们进入人生的下一个阶段.