Faqs, Policies & Permits

Nope! Adventure Outings is a program run by the Associated Students. You can register for one trip or 10 trips, how much you participate is up to you, and you don’t need to join. The only required meetings are the pre-trip meetings for each trip.

AO hires student staff for positions in the climbing gym, equipment rental center, office, and Bike Hub. Visit the AS Human Resources page for current job postings. Positions are typically posted twice a year, usually in April and November.

You can become a Trip Leader after going through our Assistant Trip Leader program. Find out more on the Assistant Trip Leader page.

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Almost anyone! All Chico Students are allowed to register. If you are a Chico State student and are under 18 you’ll need to have a parent or guardian sign our waiver. If you are not a Chico State student but are over 18, then you can register for our trips unless otherwise noted.

That’s perfect! We specialize in adventures for beginners. Adventure Outings is the gateway to getting you started in outdoor recreation. By providing transportation, some gear, and expert guides, we’ll make you feel at home in the outdoors. When you return from your trip, we guarantee you’ll have a greater sense of confidence in outdoor adventures. And, chances are, you won’t be alone; there will be many others who are new to the experience joining you on the trip.

Register online! You can also register in person at the AO Equipment Room just past the mac court in the WREC. Ask the front desk if you can't find it!

Transportation to and from campus, experienced leaders, all technical gear, shelter, permits, and camping fees. Oh, and fun. Did we mention fun?! A GREAT value!

No problem! The AO Equipment Room rents these things, and if you’re renting them to go on an AO trip, your rentals will be half-price.

This really varies by trip but most of our trips are designed for beginners. However, even a beginner trip can feel very tough to someone who has never done the activity before. We suggest you talk to our office staff before signing up if you have questions and check the trip’s rating. You can also improve your experience by attending the pre-trip meeting and following the suggestions of your trip staff, bringing all the suggested equipment/food/clothing, and showing up for the trip well-rested and with an open mind.

If you’re signing up alone, don’t worry! One of the best things about our trips is that you’ll have the chance to meet and bond with new people. Most of our trips include a pre-trip meeting, during which you’ll meet everyone else you’ll be traveling with, break the ice and get to know each other.

For most trips, it will happen the week of the trip. For example, if your trip is on Saturday, your pre-trip meeting will most likely that Tuesday or Wednesday evening before the trip. We’ll let you know ASAP when and where the meeting will be, usually the Monday before the trip – keep an eye on your email! *Note: Some 1-day trips, as well as WWO and summer trips, do not have pre-trip meetings. For these trips, you’ll receive details via email.

Most trips will determine their departure time at your pre-trip meeting depending on the participant’s schedules. If your trip does not have a pre-trip meeting, you will be informed via email about the departure time. Return times vary greatly due to the unpredictable nature of the outdoors and travel in general. If you would like an estimated return time, please contact the AO Office.

Please contact us prior to registering. If you have already registered, please contact us ASAP and inform us. We will do everything in our power to make sure you can get out there and have an amazing experience!

AO leaders come from diverse backgrounds and are passionate about many different outdoor pursuits. They receive training in outdoor skills, logistics and risk management, interpersonal development, and much more. Trip staff hold current First Aid and CPR certifications and attend regular meetings, training, and workshops. All leaders are current students at Chico State.

Our ratings are designed to give you a general idea of the physical difficulty and amount of previous experience necessary for each trip. Please note that these ratings are estimations only. If you are unsure if a trip is suitable for you, please contact our office.

• Easy: Relatively low level of physical exertion with numerous opportunities for rest. No prior experience needed.

• Moderate: Some physically demanding activity and challenging environmental conditions should be expected. Previous experience is helpful but not required.

• Difficult: This will be a physically challenging trip for almost everyone. Expect challenging environmental conditions and long days. Previous experience in the trip activity is strongly encouraged.

• Very Difficult: This rating is reserved for our most challenging trips. Expect very challenging environmental conditions and very long days. Previous experience in the trip activity is strongly encouraged.