Explore. Challenge. Lead.
Learn to lead by stepping outside the classroom. Through wilderness experiences and outdoor adventure, you'll build practical leadership skills, lasting friendships, and confidence that will serve you wherever life takes you.
Who Can Apply?
- Those entering ÐßÐßÊÓƵ as a first‑year student in Fall 2027
- Students from any major who want to grow in community through wilderness and outdoor experiences.
- Students interested in leadership development and high-performing team collaboration
- Adventurers who are eager to explore new places, take on real challenges, and lead through meaningful shared experiences outdoors
Learn more about Cohorts at ÐßÐßÊÓƵ
If you are starting ÐßÐßÊÓƵ after 2027, please send us your information (see form below) and we’ll invite you to apply when the application is open to you. Email cohorts@calvin.edu with questions.
Why Join the Outdoor Leadership Cohort?
Develop confidence
Find instant community
Learn leadership in real time
Courses and Expeditions
As a member of the Outdoor Leadership Cohort, you will:
- Begin your ÐßÐßÊÓƵ journey with a Wilderness Orientation experience.
- Build skills with intro to backpacking and climbing courses and get your Wilderness First Responder certification.
- Complete a Grand Canyon expedition during spring break (funding included).
- Plan and execute your own independent expedition.
Visit Us
Are you planning a visit to ÐßÐßÊÓƵ? Ask your admissions counselor to schedule a meeting with a Cohorts representative during your visit. We'd love to meet you and answer your questions!
Cohort Application Deadlines and Interviews
Application
August 1: Applications Open
Apply to ÐßÐßÊÓƵ and to Cohorts. You can apply to more than one cohort, but you can only participate in one.
January 15: Cohort Application Deadline
Application deadline for Cohorts and Honors Scholars.
Interview invites sent late January.
Interviews
February: Interviews
Cohort interviews:
- February 20–25, virtual
- February 27, in person at ÐßÐßÊÓƵ Discovery Day
March: Cohort Offers Sent
Students in the Outdoor Leadership Cohort get priority access to the following opportunities:
Outdoor Recreation Living-Learning floor - vanReken Hall
Wilderness Orientation, North Channel Sea Kayaking - Ontario, CA
Sleeping Bear Dunes Service-Learning Expedition – Northern Michigan
Weekend and Fall Break Trips - Varied
Grand Canyon Land Leadership Expedition - Arizona
Costa Rica Rainforest Expedition – Costa Rica
Red River Gorge Climbing Course – Slade, Kentucky
Wilderness First Responder Course and Certification - Hybrid
Sierra Wilderness and Recreation Management – Yosemite and Kings Canyon NPs
