SUMMER in the Sierras

“When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe."

-John Muir

The hallmark of FPU Wilderness is our two to three week immersive and interdisciplinary learning experience in the neighboring Sierra Nevada Mountains. Before venturing to higher elevations, students may engage curricular topics in the classroom, online, on day trips in the Central Valley, our rivers, and our foothills. Once in the mountains, learning communities go on a 3-day and later a 6-day backpacking trek (routes vary each year) divided by five days of guided instruction and epic day trips from a comfortable basecamp in Yosemite. The program concludes with two nights back at the basecamp lodge for summative academic experiences and a celebration of the journey and the friendships forged. Students complete 3-7 units of credit, with course offerings varying year to year.

Previous Courses Offered Include:

Natural History of the Sierra Nevada
Insect Ecology
Biblical Studies: Genesis
Ecological Philosophy and Ethics
Children’s Literature
Christian Scripture and Ecotheology
Creative Writing
Latin American Literature
Moral Psychology and the Environment

Summer 2025 Course Offerings (developing):

WILD 100: Introduction to Wilderness Studies (3 units)
PHIL 103: Critical Thinking (3 units)
PHIL 486: Ecological Philosophy and Ethics (3 units)
KIN 146: Backpacking (1 unit)
WILD 300: Wilderness and the Liberal Arts (3 units)
ENV 160: Introduction to Environmental Science (3 units)
ENV 161L: Environmental Field Study Lab (1 units)
BIO 285: Insect Ecology of the Sierras (3 units)
LIT 465: Literature for Children and Young Adults (3 units)

Dates (three sessions to choose from):

Session One: Thursday, May 29 – Friday, June 13
Session Two: Thursday, June 19 – Friday, July 4
Session Three: Saturday, July 12 – Thursday, July 24

Supplies:

All necessary supplies and gear are provided by the FPU Wilderness Program including backpacks, tents, sleeping bags and mats, food, transportation, permits, camping supplies and tools, rain jackets, digital cameras, etc. All you need to bring are good shoes for hiking and the apparel and personal items listed for you once you join the program.

Faculty and Staff:

Trail guides are comprised of experienced and trained faculty and staff members of FPU. Every hiking group has an experienced trail guide who is also trained as a Wilderness First Responder for basic medical care as needed. Besides instructing you in your course work, we will also teach you how to hike, cook, set up a tent, use a map and compass, and handle all the things necessary to go for a long walk in the woods with your friends.

Sign Up:

There is a maximum of 24 student spots available per session, and class sizes are limited, so it is important to sign up as soon as possible to ensure you are included. Reach out to Program Coordinator Ray Winter immediately and he will facilitate your enrollment in the selected classes and the program.

Cost

Unit Fees: $535 per unit for FPU summer classes
Program Fee: $995 per person
*Optional additional costs for full apparel provisions

How to Pay:

Before paying here, email or call the Program Coordinator Ray Winter to confirm availability and reserve your spot. You will be directed to FPU’s course enrollment site to register for the desired classes, then you pay the program fee here!

General Itinerary

Day 1: at FPU; orientation; backpack packing and prep; drive to trailhead; hike and camp
Day 2: a.m. class session; afternoon orienteering lesson; day hike; p.m. class session
Day 3: a.m. class session; day solo time; p.m. class session
Day 4: hike out; basecamp orientation; gratitude meal; evening all-gather; fireside stories
Day 5: a.m. all-gather; a.m. class; day trip #1; p.m. class; fireside stories finish
Day 6: a.m. all-gather; a.m. class; day trip #2; p.m. class
Day 7: a.m. all-gather; a.m. class; staycation day on river; p.m. class
Day 8: a.m. all-gather; a.m. class; day trip #3; p.m. class; prep bags/orient for big hike
Day 9: leave early to trailhead; hike; set camp; evening chautauqua under stars
Day 10: hike to hub camp; p.m. class on trail after dinner
Day 11: day hike from hub camp; afternoon class; chautauqua under stars
Day 12: day hike from hub camp; afternoon class; solo night after dinner
Day 13: hike toward trailhead; set camp; p.m. class after dinner
Day 14: hike out; basecamp return; dinner; campfire war stories
Day 15: all-gather; a.m. class; free/prep day; celebration dinner; evening presentations
Day 16: all-gather breakfast; possible presentations; drive to FPU before noon