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Revisions to the Wilderness to Wake Pre-Orientation program

by Betsy Chapman

Bottom Line, Up Front:

  • Wilderness to Wake will still take place with a revised format.
  • We must adapt the program to be campus-based, rather than 2.5 hours away from campus, because of COVID-19 infection within our group leaders.
  • This change is to ensure the safety of all participants as well as the group leaders.
  • You will be refunded $310 to your student account because we will no longer incur off-campus costs.

Dear Wilderness to Wake participants,

Late last night, we learned that one of our Wilderness to Wake group leaders tested positive for COVID-19. All of our group leaders had spent the past five days in close proximity during their off-site training in preparation for Wilderness to Wake.

Because Wilderness to Wake takes place 2.5 hours away from campus in the wilderness, our public health team has advised us that we cannot take the program off campus. This is necessary because if any of the participants or leaders get COVID, we do not have the ability to send people home individually, and we want to ensure everyone has access to medical care if they need it.

Wilderness to Wake will still take place, and we are currently designing a wonderful experience for you, but it will now be based on campus. We will share details with you later this evening at our first group meeting, scheduled for 5:00 p.m. tonight at Outdoor Pursuits.

Because we will not be receiving the full off-campus wilderness experience, you will be receiving a refund of $310.  

Therefore, we urge all of you to lean into the spirit of adventure and continue with our revised Wilderness to Wake program. Even with a revised format on campus, you will still be getting to know a small group of your classmates, participating in fun activities, and learning about yourself and each other.

Some of you had asked at check-in this morning if you could move to other Pre-Orientation programs. Unfortunately, the other programs are already at capacity. In addition, the other Pre-Orientation programs do not start until Sunday or Monday, and we do not want to have our Wilderness to Wake students in sparsely occupied residence halls with no planned activities for several days. 

We look forward to seeing you tonight at 5:00 p.m. tonight at Outdoor Pursuits which is located behind the Wellbeing Center where you check-in earlier today.  We will begin our adventure there together!

Go Deacs!

Joe Cassidy
Executive Director
Campus Fitness & Recreation

Contact

To contact the Office of Family Engagement or Family Communications, please visit our contact page.

 

For mental health assistance: 336-758-CARE (2273) is a service that ensures someone will always be available (i.e., 24/7 M-F, weekends and university holidays) to provide caring and thoughtful consultation services for Wake Forest students in need of mental health assistance or support. You can also visit we.wfu.edu for resources.