Outdoor Action

Staff of Outdoor Action

Learn through Adventure

The Outdoor Action Program (OA) is Princeton University’s outdoor adventure and leadership development program administered by the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students. Outdoor Action is all about personal growth and leadership development through adventure. Students travel in groups of 6-10 and engage in single and multi-day outdoor activities with 2-3 experienced student trip leaders. Participants, exploring challenge in a supportive group environment, learn to stretch themselves beyond their previously established limits.

Outdoor Action Mission

To provide educational and character development experiences which advance personal responsibility, health and well-being, community, leadership development, civic engagement, and stewardship for Princeton and the natural world through adventure-based experiential education

Frosh Trip
Orientation Program

The OA Frosh Trip began in 1974 as the first small group orientation experience for incoming first year students. The Frosh Trip uses small and diverse group building an effective team in the outdoors as a metaphor for incoming students. Mastering challenges in the outdoors with teammates is a great metaphor for becoming a part of the larger Princeton community and successfully navigating four years at college.

OA Leader
Training Program

All OA trips are led by students and Outdoor Action is the largest student leadership training program on campus. OA believes that everyone can develop their leadership skills and provides a comprehensive leadership program to help students build the skills they need to lead their peers on effective experiential learning activities in the outdoors. OA Leaders enhance campus life through their involvement and leadership as RCAs, on sports teams, student government, student organizations and community service. Outdoor Action offers a unique learning laboratory where students have the opportunity to practice real leadership in service to others.

Outdoor Action
During the Year 

During the academic year, Outdoor Action offers students the opportunity to explore the outdoors and build new friendships through day trip activities on weekends, and multi-day trips over breaks. Outdoor Action operates the indoor rock climbing wall on campus that is open for free for all students and  for beginner through advanced climbers.