If you want to learn more about getting involved in Quest, make sure to be at the Kehr Union in Multipurpose Room B at 5pm. We will have FLE(Freshman Leadership Experience) applications available and information and sign ups for other upcoming events this semester. Come and check out what Quest is all about tonight in the Kehr! If you can’t make it, but have questions, give a call to the office at (570) 389-4323, or visit us at our new location on upper campus.

The Freshman Leadership Experience or FLE program is a great program to get involved with. Through the FLE program, you will get to know some great people who also enjoy doing activities in the outdoors. The program involves whitewater, hiking, rock climbing, s’mores, and more! Make sure to stop by the office to pick up an application!

Freshmen Leadership Experience

The Freshman Leadership Experience is a program every fall with Quest.

Have you ever wanted to go climbing in the Andes? Do you want to challenge teams to cross the “Acid River”? Have you ever wanted to work with groups to improve leadership and communication skills? What about a whitewater journey through the rapids of the Lehigh Gorge or the headwaters of the Amazon?

If these activities intrigue you, the Freshman Leadership Experience (F.L.E.) offered by Quest, is for you! The F.L.E. is designed to identify and strengthen your leadership skills. You don’t need any prior experience, only the willingness to try new things.

The F.L.E. starts off with an adventurous trip where you will have a chance to meet everyone. During the semester you will take part in numerous leadership opportunities as a group. These include outdoor skills trainings, staff trips as well as time to relax and get to know each other. We’ll have a final trip later in the semester where you’ll be able to utilize all your new skills.

To register for the F.L.E. program visit the Quest office on Upper Campus or come to the Fall Semester Informational Meeting on Thursday September 2 at 5pm in the Kehr Union Multipurpose room. The F.L.E. program has a limit of 20 students.

Contact Quest at (570) 389-4323 for more information.

Many F.L.E. students have had great times. Here are just some great comments about the program from past or current members.

“Imagine being part of a leadership program that has the similar initials as a little insect that makes you crazy. A freshman like me couldn’t ask for a better induction into college. The FLE program helped me meet outdoorsy people like myself and allowed me to do things that I had never done. There is lots of laughter and fun to be had for all freshmen that come here to BU. I highly recommend to join this group and to get involved with Quest.”

“The FLE program was an awesome experience for me. I got the chance to meet some amazing people and make lasting friendships. I learned a lot about my strengths and weaknesses and was able to put myself to the test. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to have a great time and learn some cool stuff along the way!”

“The FLE experience was the highlight of my freshman year. Without it I would not have been able to go on as many fun adventures getting to know some great people. I got to be outdoors doing the things that I like to do with awesome people and learning new skills all at the same time. The FLE experience was so great for me that I wanted to help out with the next years FLE program, to help bring them some of the great experiences that I had.”

Most Quest Trips require no previous training and most equipment is provided.
Click Here to see what you need to get ready for a trip.
Quest courses require pre-registration either in person, mail or phone or on the website.
For more information, visit us on upper campus at the Quest office.

* Free for BU Students
+ Evening Departure
NFH=Nelson Field House, Upper Campus, BU.

*8/31 Open Climbing Wall 3-6pm Quest is providing a free time to come and experience the rockwall on upper campus so bring your friends up for some fun!
*9/1 Night Hike 9p-12a Want to take a break from your hectic day?  Join Quest as we venture out into the wilderness of Roaring Creek, just twenty minutes from campus.  We will be going on a short hike, about 3 miles, and possibly making s’mores by a camp fire.  These short trips are always a lot of fun and a perfect way for first-time participants to see what Quest is all about. To see how to prep for this course, CLICK HERE and scroll to the bottom of the page for hiking information. Make sure you sign up early because these hikes often fill up fast!
*    9/2 Quest info night at KUB 5pm Join us at the Kehr for some information about Quest and also to sign up for emails about upcoming events. Meet some of the staff and let us know what you would like to get involved in.
*9/7 Open Climbing Wall 3-6pm Come to upper campus for some free climbing at our rock wall! Bring your friends!
*9/9 Night Hike 9p-12a Want to take a break from your hectic day?  Join Quest as we venture out into the wilderness of Roaring Creek, just twenty minutes from campus.  We will be going on a short hike, about 3 miles, and possibly making s’mores by a camp fire.  These short trips are always a lot of fun and a perfect way for first-time participants to see what Quest is all about. To see how to prep for this course, CLICK HERE and scroll to the bottom of the page for hiking information. Make sure you sign up early because these hikes often fill up fast!
9/10 Last day for FLE Signup, by 3pm Make sure you don’t miss out on the opportunity to participate in the Freshman Leadership Experience, or as we call it FLE. In this group you will have many awesome adventures like rafting, backpacking, rock climbing and you will meet a lot of people who enjoy being outside and active just like you do!
*9/12 High Ropes Training 9a-4p Visit our High Ropes Course on upper campus near the rock wall and learn how to get yourself and others safely up in the trees! Complete all of the different elements in the course including a zipline at the end!
9/12 FLE Day #1 High Ropes and TB 9a-4p Meet your fellow FLEs and have your first adventure with everyone up in the trees of our high ropes course!
9/14 Kayak Staff Training 9pm NFH For staff only. Learn how to safely exit an overturned whitewater kayak and how to roll the kayak right side up using your paddle in the controlled environment of the Nelson Field House pool.
*9/15 FLE Day #2 Wall 3-6p Meet up again to do some climbing on our upper campus wall and learn how to do a team belay and test your strength and skills on the wall.
9/18 Intro to WW Kayaking 10a-5p Take the kayaks out for some instruction on how to paddle safe and smart in whitewater.
9/19 FLE Day 3 Rafting Trip 9a-5p Meet up with your friends in FLE for some paddling on the river and experience some excellent team building on and off the water.
9/21 Kayak Pool Session 9-11pm NFH Learn how to safely exit an overturned whitewater kayak and how to roll the kayak right side up using your paddle in the controlled environment of the Nelson Field House pool.

*9/22 Night Games 9pm Join Quest on upper campus for some exciting games in the dark! Bring a flashlight and your best running shoes!
9/22 FLE Day 4 Night Games 9pm Bring a flashlight and your best running shoes for a fun time on upper campus in the dark!
9/25 Rock Climbing 10a-5p Experience outdoor rock climbing with Quest on this fantastic trip! Learn about climbing on real rock and get some dirt under your nails.
9/26 Raft 9a-5p Come rafting with Quest and have fun on the water and learn some paddling skills! This is a great chance to get a break from classes and get your feet wet.
9/28 Kayak Pool Session 9-11pm NFH Learn how to safely exit an overturned whitewater kayak and how to roll the kayak right side up using your paddle in the controlled environment of the Nelson Field House pool.

+10/1-3 Water Leadership Weekend This is a really fun weekend to spend rafting and camping! Learn loads of new skills to use on the Youghiogheny river which has some awesome whitewater and explore the town of Ohiopyle. For an article on the town, click here.
10/5 Kayak Pool Session 9-11pm NFH Learn how to safely exit an overturned whitewater kayak and how to roll the kayak right side up using your paddle in the controlled environment of the Nelson Field House pool.

10/6 FLE Day 6 Kayak 3-6p Take some time off and spend the evening kayaking with Quest. Learn some basic paddling skills and enjoy the last outdoor water activity until the Spring!
10/7 Stargazing Hike 9p-12a Join Quest for a hike under the stars and enjoy the cool, fresh air and a refreshing break from your everyday activities.
*10/9 Open High Ropes Day & Wall 10a-4pm Join us for this free, exciting day up in the trees and on the rock wall on upper campus! Open and free to the community and BU students, this is definitely a day to get outside and have some fun zip lining and climbing!
10/10 Appalachian Trail Day Hike 9a-5pm Get your hiking boots on and head over to Quest to go on an exciting all day hike.
10/12 FLE Day 7 Backpack Meeting 3-6pm All FLEs interested in going on the final FLE backpacking trip make sure you get to this meeting to find out what you will need to go backpacking.
10/12 Kayak Pool Session 9-11pm NFH Learn how to safely exit an overturned whitewater kayak and how to roll the kayak right side up using your paddle in the controlled environment of the Nelson Field House pool.

*10/13 Bike Maintenance Clinic 6pm Ever wanted to learn more about how to look after your bike? Come to this free clinic to learn!
10/15-17 FLE Backpacking Trip The final FLE trip is always loads of fun! Make sure you mark off your calendars for this trip and bring your hiking boots and sense of adventure!

10/16 Rock Climb 10a-5pm Experience outdoor rock climbing with Quest on this fantastic trip! Learn about climbing on real rock and get some dirt under your nails.
10/19 Kayak Pool Session 9-11pm NFH Learn how to safely exit an overturned whitewater kayak and how to roll the kayak right side up using your paddle in the controlled environment of the Nelson Field House pool.

+10/22-24 Backpacking – AT Turn your weekend into an adventure with this backpacking trip! Hike a section of the Appalachian Trail with Quest and learn about Leave No Trace principles and hang some bear bags!
+10/22-24 Rock Leadership Weekend Head to the Shawangunk Preserve in New York to practice your rock climbing skills and learn how to set up top-rope anchors amongst the beautiful fall foliage.
10/31 Halloween Wall Party 7p-9p Join us for our Halloween party at the rock wall on upper campus! Make sure you wear a costume that you can climb in!
*11/3 TB Facilitator Training 1 6-9pm Make sure you are at this free training to learn how to facilitate team building initiatives and activities!

11/6 Danville Anchor Training and Climbing Day 9a-4p We will be doing some beginner to intermediate level climbing and showing participants what it takes to safely set up climbing anchors and the other considerations that must be taken in order to run a successful climbing trip.  This trip is very beginner friendly, requiring no previous knowledge and most equipment is provided by Quest.  To see how to prep for this course, CLICK HERE.
*11/11 TB Facilitator Training II 6-9pm Make sure you are at this free training to learn how to facilitate team building initiatives and activities!
11/13 Climbing Competition Join us at the indoor rock wall in the gym for some friendly competition. Even if you just come to watch and not participate, rock climbing is a very cool activity to observe. There will also be other things going on such as yoga and climbing movies.
11/14 Outdoor Bouldering Come with us to Squirrel Rocks to do some unconventional climbing! If you like the bouldering wall in the gym, make sure you sign up for this trip!
12/4-5 Wilderness First Aid (WFA) 8a-5pm If you ever find yourself outdoors and far from medical help, this is the course you will want under your belt. It will teach you how to identify different injuries and instruct you on how to handle the different problems you may encounter in the back country.
1/14-17/2011 Mt. Washington Winter Ascent A great trip to practice some ice axe skills and test your endurance. Join Quest in the challenging climb up Mount Washington in New Hampshire in the snow and ice.
2/5/2011 Human Powered Winter Festival & 5k Join us for this fun day of kayak sledding, cross country skiing, and other fun winter activities! Join in the free clinics or participate in the 5k for a nice cold winter run.
3/5-12/2011 Spring Break at Smith Rocks Oregon, Rock Climbing Hop on the plane with Quest to spend your spring break rock climbing in Smith Rocks, Oregon!

There are so many things to do in Jim Thorpe it is almost impossible to only spend a single day in the area. Or you could just down the streets in a day and visit the eccentric shops that are so popular in the area. The tourist attractions of the small town include art galleries, live music, and plenty of historical locations such as the Harry Packer Mansion and the Old Jail Museum. For outdoor fans, the list is even longer. There is rafting, kayaking, paintball, hiking the amazing Glen Onoko Falls, biking, skiing and so much more.

This Jim Thorpe Website has more information on the town and upcoming events.

The Roaring Creek Valley Conservation Association is hosting its 2nd Annual Hellbender Half Marathon and 5K on Sunday, August 22nd. It will be held in Weiser State Forest in the Roaring Creek Tract on the Rte 54 side. Registration runs from 7am-8:15am, and the race will start at 8:30am to beat the heat.