Spark! outdoor adventure program

The Spark! Outdoor Adventure Program (SPOARK) is one of the experiences that incoming students can choose as their required Spark! Project during Orientation. The program provides the chance to experience hiking, sailing or kayaking. Students will also get a chance to meet classmates, learn new skills, ease into the collegiate lifestyle, and have a bit of fun before classes start.

The people you'll meet during the SPOARK may turn out to be some of the best friends you'll make in college. The trip leaders foster an open and comfortable atmosphere regardless of experience level, background, race, sexual orientation, culture, or religion.

Students of all experience levels are welcome! So if you've hiked the Presidential Range or only camped out in your backyard, that's OK! 

POAP

While on your Spark! Outdoor Adventure, you might learn more about:

  • Basic and Advanced Backpacking
  • Basic Kayaking Technique
  • Wilderness First Aid
  • Orienteering and Backcountry Navigation
  • Outdoor cooking
  • Wilderness ethics and Leave No Trace camping
  • Ecology of New York State

Trips Overview

Each trip listed below is co-guided by one Hobart and one William Smith student. All guides are well trained in a variety of First Aid/CPR, Wilderness First Aid, EMT-B, and water safety. They are also comfortable with standard backpacking protocol and have experience on these specific trails. 

Please also remember that SPOARK is a substance-free program, including tobacco.

Difficulty Levels

Beginner: No experience necessary! This is for students who have no outdoor or kayaking experience but would like to try new adventures with a positive attitude. These trips are low intensity, and the daily distance covered ranges from 2-4 miles on rolling terrain. If your focus is on meeting new people and exploring new possibilities in a wilderness setting, this is the trip for you!

Intermediate: Some experience necessary. Participants should be able to hike 5-7 miles daily comfortably on rolling-to-mountainous terrain. These trips find a great balance between experiencing the outdoors and challenging yourself with new friends. This type of trip is for students with capable fitness levels.

Advanced: Experience absolutely necessary. These trips are physically demanding but highly rewarding. Students must be prepared to hike 7-10 miles daily over mountainous terrain and potentially unkempt trails. For trips involving kayaking, students must have prior experience and be physically able to paddle 12-15 miles on open water. These trips are for the outdoor enthusiast!

TRIPS

POAP

Finger Lakes Sailing Trip (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)
The sailing trip welcomes students of all sailing backgrounds from beginners to experts. The trip will involve learning more about the Finger Lakes and the surrounding region and give students new experiences sailing with an experienced sailing instructor. Students will be able to sail the Finger Lakes and experience camping on campus.

Finger Lakes National Forest Trip (Beginner)
The Finger Lakes National Forest, located on the southeastern end of Seneca Lake, is the only National Forest in New York State. The forests 16,212 acres are nestled on a high ridge overlooking Seneca Lake. The Forest has more than 30 miles of interconnecting trails that traverse gorges, ravines, pastures and woodlands. SPOARKers can expect to hike roughly 2-4 miles daily and explore the rest of the forest via day hikes.

Adirondack Backpacking Trip (Intermediate)
The Adirondack Park is the largest publicly-protected wilderness area in the contiguous United States and boasts more than 3,000 lakes and ponds and 30,000 miles of streams and rivers. Along with one of the largest networks of hiking trails in the country, the Adirondacks serve as the perfect environment to backpack. Students on this trip will hike through the vast tracts of old growth forests, mountain meadows and bogs, while leaving adequate time for day trips to a mountain top or to cool off in the pool of a mountain stream.

Finger Lakes Trail Trip (Intermediate)
The Finger Lakes Region is one of those places with something for everyone. This trip will capture the spirit of the Finger Lakes and bolster your sense of place. The SPOARKers will experience the waterfalls and gorges found throughout the region starting at Watkins Glenn. The Finger Lakes Trail and its appendages cover almost 850 miles throughout New York State. Segments of the trail connect to the Appalachian Trail and provide an incredible backpacking adventure. Students will explore the southern end of Seneca Lake, where vineyards, water, wind and views combine in an idyllic panorama. SPOARKers can expect to hike roughly around 6-10 miles a day on various types of terrain.

Finger Lakes Trail Trip (Advanced)
Home to beautiful waterfalls and gorges surrounded by lush forests, the Finger Lakes Trail and its appendages cover almost 850 miles throughout New York State. Segments of the trail connect to the Appalachian Trail and provide an incredible backpacking adventure. SPOARKers will enjoy the regions natural beauty every step of the way on a segment of the trail spanning from Ithaca to Watkins Glenn. SPOARKers can expect to hike roughly around 7-11 miles a day on various types of terrain.

Adirondack Backpacking/Kayaking Trip (Intermediate)
The Adirondack Park is the largest publicly-protected wilderness area in the contiguous United States and boasts more than 3,000 lakes and ponds and 30,000 miles of streams and rivers. Along with one of the largest networks of hiking trails in the country, the Adirondacks serve as the perfect environment to backpack and kayak. Students on this trip will spend half of their time in kayaks paddling the pristine waters of the Adirondacks while spending the remaining time hiking through the vast tracts of old growth forests, mountain meadows and bogs.

Finger Lakes Kayaking Tour (Advanced)
Become better acquainted with the heart and soul of the region as you spend the days paddling the pristine waters of the Finger Lakes. Kayak the cool, deep waters of selected Finger Lakes on this four-day adventure. Participants will partake in a series of day trips on area waters as a way to explore the local region.

New York State High Peaks Trip (Advanced)
In the High Peaks of upstate New York, students will have the opportunity to conquer a mountain from base to summit each day. Students can expect new challenges and to be rewarded with spectacular views and the accomplished feeling of reaching the summit. This is a trip designed for students who are willing to physically challenge themselves and for those who have an ambition for hiking and backpacking adventure.

 

Forms

Once we have placed you in one of the program trips, you will receive a package containing information about your trip including:

*Note: SPOARK requires a separate medical form than HUBBS, the campus Health Center. This medical form is exclusive to this program and to this program, only.

Paperwork may be returned via email at poap@hws.edu, by fax at (315) 781-3025, or mailed to:

Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Hobart Deans Office, Attn: SPOARK
Geneva, NY 14456

Please note: All trips begin on Saturday, August 19. Forms (liability waiver, equipment request form, medical form) must be on file before the program begins.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Associate Dean of Hobart College David Mapstone '93, P21 (mapstone@hws.edu) or (315) 781-3300 (Hobart Deans office).

 

SPOARK FAQs

What kind of trips are offered?
We offer trips for all different experience levels from beginner, intermediate, and advanced trips in the Finger Lakes and the Adirondacks. These trips can involve sailing, hiking and/or kayaking. Please see our SPOARK trips section of the webpage to find out more.

What do I pack?
Everything you need to pack is on our packing list. When you arrive on campus for SPOARK, your guides will also help you go through your things to make sure you are fully equipped!

General Packing List
FLX Kayaking and Sailing Packing List

What if I don't have some of the equipment I need?
You can use ours! Our Outdoor Recreation and Adventure Program (ORAP) has backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and tents available on a first come, first served basis. Please fill out the Equipment Request Form.

Do I need to bring food?
Nope! SPOARK does all the shopping and meal planning for you! We also provide each student with a snack pack full of our tried and true favorite trail snacks for them to eat during their trip. If you have any dietary concerns or food allergies, please be sure to indicate them on your application materials so we can accommodate them!

What happens if I have allergies?
If you have a food allergy or dietary restriction, please indicate them on your application medical form so we can accommodate them.

If you have an environmental allergy, please indicate that on your application and bring any necessary medications or EpiPens with you for the trip.

Who leads the trips?
Trips are led by a team of 2-3 upperclassmen guides. These guides are some of the coolest people on campus, and can help give you the inside scoop on what life at HWS is like. 

How are guides trained?
All guides are well trained in a variety of CPR/First Aid, Wilderness First Aid, EMT-B, and water safety in addition to being trained in hard outdoor skills (fire safety, tent setup and breakdown, leave no trace principles, wilderness sanitation, etc.).

Guides who lead a kayaking or water based trip have additional training in kayaking essentials like water safety and water rescue.

What if I don't have a lot of outdoors or hiking experience?
That's ok! We have beginner, intermediate, and advanced trips for students of all experience levels. If the woods isn't really your thing, we also have a sailing trip (for all experience levels) based in Geneva.

What forms do I need to send in? When are they due?
You need to complete a liability waiver, equipment request form, and medical from. All of these can be found below. 

Forms are due BEFORE the program begins, more information will be sent out via email once students have been assigned a trip later in the summer.

What is the general schedule?
Check out our mock itinerary for a general schedule! A more finalized version will be emailed to students a week or two before the trips start.

When can I move in?
Move in starts at 8 a.m. on August 19. SPOARK programming begins at 1 p.m. on August 19. If you must come a day early, please contact us at poap@hws.edu before August 4 to make arrangements.

What if I have more questions?
If you have questions that weren't answered here, or want to chat, give us a call at (315) 781-3300 (Hobart Deans office), or send us an email at poap@hws.edu.