Check-in: Check in is from 8:00-8:30 AM on Friday at the Outback Challenge Course (Map and Directions). Reserved rental items can be picked up and paid for at check in. We will not be providing breakfast/coffee that morning, please arrive well fed. The first provided meal will be lunch at 12:00.

To park on campus: The closest parking to the course start location are Northpoint Lane P359 and the Hopkins parking structure. Should you choose to park on campus, you will need a valid permit for all three days. Parking Permit Purchase.

What to wear day 1: On the first day of the program, we will all experience UCSD’s high ropes Challenge Course, so we recommend wearing longer shorts or pants (jeans or athletic/yoga style pants work fine). Please note that you will NEED CLOSED TOED SHOES FOR THIS ACTIVITY. Any pair of tennis shoes is fine, but please know that you cannot participate in this activity in your sandals or flip flops.

Leadership: A few second-year School of Medicine students will facilitate community building, activities, discussions about being a SOM student and more. Several staff from Outback Adventures will lead the challenge course, adventure activities, transportation, logistics, meals, risk management and first aid. We will be working together closely to make this a great trip.

Camping: We will be camping on the ground in tents at a rustic campground in the Cuyamaca Mountains. Outback provides the tents and group equipment, you provide (or rent from Outback) your sleeping bag and pad and personal equipment. The campground has cold running water and vault style outhouses. There are no showers available. The weather in the mountains is unpredictable. Expect days in the 70s/80s and nights down to 50 degrees. There is always a chance of rain in the mountains.

Food: Outback has planned a great menu for the three days. We will cook and clean at the campsite. We will eat buffet style 3 times a day. There will always be a vegetarian option and usually a meat option. Feel free to bring non-perishable snacks if you are used to more frequent meals.

Transportation: we will be driving several 12 passenger vans with cargo trailers or chartering a bus to our campsite. Drive time is about 2 hours.

Personal Equipment: Please be sure to read through the packing list (SOM Personal Equipment List (PDF)) found at this link. We have 40-60 people, so space will be tight. Please do your part to pack what is on the equipment list only. While this may mean leaving some of the comforts at home, doing so will ensure that we have plenty of space for everyone’s essential items.

Program End: The program will wrap up around 5:00pm on Sunday; please do not make travel or pick-up arrangements before this time.