Wilderness to Wake 2025

There’s something about starting the school year in the woods that makes everything ahead feel a little more possible. For five days, groups of first-years hiked, paddled, and camped their way through North Carolina, trading phone screens for trail maps and nerves for joy in community. The views were beautiful, but it was the small moments that stood out: conversations that came easily after a long hike, laughter echoing from tents, and the shared realization that everyone was feeling the same mix of excitement and uncertainty. After days of trail dust, campfire stories, hacky-sack games, and van karaoke, the return to campus didn’t feel so daunting anymore. Wilderness to Wake gave new students space to enjoy nature and each other before a busy semester.

Leaders guided each group with patience and enthusiasm, creating an environment where every participant felt supported and included. Whether it was encouraging someone on climbing day or bonding through a challenging Habitat build, groups came together and modeled the kind of connection and resilience that define Outdoor Pursuits. Dinner became a highlight of each day, bringing stories and jokes that carried long after the sun went down. 

By the end of the week, everyone had found something different in the experience—confidence in trying something new, a new friend, or simply a deeper appreciation for the outdoors. As the vans rolled back onto campus, there was a mix of tiredness and excitement, but also a sense of ease that hadn’t been there before. Wilderness to Wake didn’t just prepare students for college life; it reminded them that growth happens in the spaces between challenge and joy, and that sometimes the best way to begin something new is to start it outside.

by Audrey Blandford ’26