Adventure SOAR
Join the Adventure WV Sophomore Outdoor Adventure Reorientation in Utah!
Apply Now!SOAR | Utah, Desert Southwest
The application for SOAR Utah 2026 is now open!
Apply Here!- Length: 14 Days | May 11th - 24th, 2026
- Cost: $879.00 - scholarships available by application (flights not included)
- Credits: 3 credits which includes three Fall 2026 evening follow-up classes
The SOAR program is available to rising sophomores (students who have just finished their first year of college). This program allows students to de-stress and reflect on their first year while participating in exciting adventure activities in a new place!
Students will work toward forming lasting friendships and a positive community among the group. Course activities and discussions will help students learn about themselves, increase optimism, and develop leadership and healthy living skills. Student's Gallup strengths will be explored and utilized throughout the overall SOAR experience. Students will also learn how to anticipate and prepare for challenges specific to the sophomore year.
This 14-day adventure involves hiking The Needles District in Canyonlands National Park, exploring downtown Moab, canoeing a beautiful portion of the Green River through Labyrinth Canyon, and visiting Arches National Park. The trip will culminate with soaking in Glenwood Hot Springs in Colorado!
Students will reunite in the fall semester for classroom meetings, focusing on trip reflections, strategies for making a successful adjustment to the sophomore year, exploring careers of interest and making connections with WVU faculty and staff that will aid students throughout their remaining college years. Students will also collaboratively develop a local community service project!
Please Note: This trip is for any outdoor experience level and all Adventure WV trips require that students meet the Essential Eligibility Criteria.
2026 Trip Itinerary!
| Day | Day of Week | Date | What's Happening? |
| 1 | Monday | 5/11 | Students arrive at Denver International Airport (DIA) by 3pm.
Group camps at Cherry Creek State Park in CO. |
| 2 | Tuesday | 5/12 | Drive to Moab, explore the landscape and camp at Goose Island near Moab. |
| 3 | Wednesday | 5/13 | Drive to The Needles District in Canyonlands National Park. Hike and Explore. Camp at Creek Pasture. |
| 4 | Thursday | 5/14 | Hike and explore The Needles District. Camp at Creek Pasture. |
| 5 | Friday | 5/15 | Final exploration in The Needles District. Drive back to Moab. Camp at
Goose Island near Moab.
|
| 6 | Saturday | 5/16 | River Prep Day! Explore downtown Moab. Camp at Goose Island near Moab. |
| 7 | Sunday | 5/17 | River Day 1: Shuttle provided by Tex's Riverways. Put on the Green River and begin canoeing Labyrinth Canyon. Camp along the river. |
| 8 | Monday | 5/18 | River Day 2: Explore Labyrinth Canyon on the Green River. Camp along the river. |
| 9 | Tuesday | 5/19 | River Day 3: Explore Labyrinth Canyon on the Green River. Camp along the river. |
| 10 | Wednesday | 5/20 | River Day 4: Explore Labyrinth Canyon on the Green River. Camp along the river. |
| 11 | Thursday | 5/21 | River Day 5: Explore Labyrinth Canyon on the Green River. Camp along
the river.
Canoe to Mineral Bottom take out for shuttle. Clean and deissue gear. See the sunset at Delicate Arch and camp in Moab. |
| 12 | Friday | 5/22 | River Day 6: Shuttle provided by Tex's Riverways. Take off the Green River, return to town to clean and deissue gear. Watch the Sunset in Arches National Park. Camp in Moab. |
| 13 | Saturday | 5/23 | Drive to Glenwood Springs, CO and soak in the hot springs.
Camp at Chatfield State Park, just outside Denver, CO. |
| 14 | Sunday | 5/24 | Drop students off at DIA by 8 am |
Trip Cost
The cost for SOAR Utah is $879.00. This fee includes all gear, entrance fees, most food, transportation during the trip, river shuttle and instruction. Scholarships are available for this trip by application.
Students will additionally be required to purchase their own flights to and from Denver International Airport. Arrival and departure timeframes will be communicated to students once they've been accepted onto the program.
Scholarships
Students seeking to apply for any SOAR experience are encouraged to apply for our various scholarship opportunities. These scholarships will be applied toward the registration fees associated with the selected trip. To learn more about these opportunities, visit our Scholarships Page.
Adventure WV ScholarshipsQuestions
Have questions or would like to talk through the SOAR program details? Email Marcedes Minana to schedule a time to connect! Please note that the 2026 SOAR application will close on Friday, January 23rd at 4:00pm, and decisions will be made and sent via email by Friday, Feb 6th at 12:00 pm.