Roots and Routes: An Early Bird Immersion Experience

Get ready for an unforgettable start to your Seattle University experience through Early Bird Immersion: Roots and Routes; an adventure-filled 5 day, 4 night retreat in the beautiful Olympic National Park. Designed for incoming students, this immersive experience combines outdoor adventure, community building, reflection, and connection before the academic year begins.

Throughout the retreat, participants will spend their days hiking scenic trails, biking through breathtaking landscapes, and canoeing in the Pacific Northwest outdoors. Evenings will be centered around community, rest, and connection, including swimming in Lake Crescent, sharing meals together, and getting to know Seattle University through conversations and activities with faculty, staff, and current students.

Whether you are coming to Seattle for the first time or looking to build community before classes begin, Roots and Routes offers an opportunity to explore, reflect, and create lasting memories with fellow students.

Retreat Dates
September 13–17

Registration
Sign up through your Orientation Portal to reserve your spot.

FAQ

In cabins with 6-8 beds. Each bed has a cot provided. You only need to bring a sleeping bag to sleep on.  

No, we have several vans available to drive all of us to and from camp and to each activity every day.  

Most of the time during this week is scheduled full of activities. Each day, you’ll have about 2-3 hours of unscheduled free time at camp. We encourage you to bring a book, journal or small craft.  

We will have plenty of food and snacks to feed you for the whole week. We will request your dietary restrictions when you sign up and account for these. If you feel the need to bring your own food, you will need to keep this in the kitchen. There are lots of critters around the camp and they might come for your food if you keep it in your bag!  

We have made each of these activities fun and accessible to you! You can take these activities at your own pace, and we will have student leaders and staff to help you challenge by choice. With that said, if there are concerns about participating in a specific activity, please reach out to mgass@seattleu.edu or note this when you sign up.  

This program will provide plenty of opportunities for reflection and for you to ground yourself in nature. There is no expectation of any particular religion or spiritual practice, and we welcome whatever background you bring.  

Nope!  Leave phones behind if possible! There is a landline at camp that we will provide the phone number for in case of emergencies.  

Please tell me about the rules and expectations!  

Sure thing, read up here: https://www.seattleu.edu/life-at-seattle-u/university-recreation/outdoors/trip-policies/  

Please leave big, bulky items, except that sleeping bag. Leave behind electronics, hair dryers, curling irons, things that need to be plugged in and require a lot of energy. Drugs or alcohol of any kind are never allowed on Seattle University trips. Leave these behind or we will have to end your week early and take you back to campus. Camp David Jr also does not allow drugs or alcohol. Bringing these items can result in all of us ending this trip early. Leave it behind! 

Highlights from last year's retreat

  • students hiking
  • 2 students looking into the beautiful landscape
  • Veatufyk view of water and trees
  • Girl sitting on dock by the water journaling
  • Student photo
  • boy jumping into water