Pre-Trip Information

TRAVEL & PRE-TRIP INFORMATION:

CAMPUS MAP, CLICK HERE

What to pack for my trip?

Each trip has its own trip specific information page (click on the trip name below to be directed to the trip-specific page).  Make sure to visit that page to find a detailed trip description, all the information you need about what to pack, and specifics about what you can borrow from us.  While you’re there, don’t forget to fill out all the appropriate forms for your trip.

 
When to Arrive for Trips

Once you’ve received your trip assignment email confirming your place on a trip, you can begin making your travel arrangements to Portland. If you’re arriving by plane, train, or bus, please arrive at the airport or train/bus station between 9:00am and 11:00am the day your trip begins. We will provide transportation for you from there to Lewis & Clark. If you’re arriving by car, please arrive at Lewis & Clark between 9:00am and 11:00am.

Where to Stay Before Trips

If you’re arriving in Portland the day before your trip begins and need a place to stay, we have a partial list of hotels near the airport which have complementary airport shuttles. You can take a hotel shuttle back to the airport in the morning between 9:00am and 11:00am, where our shuttles will pick you up. See What do I do once my plane lands? below for information about how to connect with our shuttle. We’ve also worked with a couple of these hotels to get special pricing for you the evening before your trip.  However, you are welcome to stay at whatever airport hotel has the lowest price on Hotels.com or other discount website.  Just make sure they have a shuttle that will take you back to the airport in the morning, so we can pick you up!  Most airport hotels do have complimentary shuttles.

When you know your travel plans please fill out our travel information form.

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Arriving by Plane:
What should I carry on the plane?

Airlines sometimes lose baggage, so carry the most essential, expensive, and hard-to-replace items on the plane with you, such as your proof of health insurance card, money, medicine, contact lenses and/or glasses, sunglasses. If you have LC insurance, we will have insurance cards for you. If you will be taking ANY prescription medication or inhalers on your trip, please bring double the necessary amount, in two separate containers, and give one set to your trip leader. This gives you a backup supply if something happens to your medication or inhaler. Be sure to have both sets on the plane with you (i.e., not in your checked luggage).

What do I do once my plane lands?

Once you get your luggage, please wait at the information desk closest to baggage claim #8 (there are two info desks in the baggage area, but you want the one by baggage claim #8) in the Portland Airport. A College Outdoors staff member will be there from approximately 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, with a sign that says “Lewis & Clark.” We will be picking people up in groups, so you may have to wait just a bit while the next couple of flights arrive. If your flight is significantly delayed, please try to call us at (503)-768-7116 to let us know the new arrival time in Portland.

Our first shuttle will be at PDX around 9:00 AM. If you arrive before then, go check out the great pastries at Beaverton Bakery, grab a drink at Coffee People, or browse the book selection at Powell’s Books in the Main Concourse. Please be patient if we get held up by traffic. People-watching opportunities are great at the Portland Airport!

Please double check your arrival information as indicated in your Final Trip Details email or contact us for this information. If anything has changed, please notify us as soon as possible at (503) 768-7116. 

Arriving by Bus or Train:
Where should I wait to be picked up? How can I find out when a shuttle will arrive?

Please wait near the taxi stand outside the bus or train station for us to pick you up. These pickups are coordinated with the airport shuttles, so if we’re not waiting for you at the taxi stand when you arrive, you can call us at (503) 768-7116 to find out when we’ll be there to chauffeur you to Lewis & Clark. If we know you’ll be waiting a while for a shuttle, we will let you know in advance (shouldn’t be more than 45 minutes). If your bus or train is seriously delayed or rerouted, please call as soon as you can, so we can adjust our shuttles accordingly.

Arriving by Car: 
When should I show up to campus? Where on campus should I go? 

Please plan to arrive on campus between 9:00-11:00 AM the day your trip departs.  When you arrive on campus, come to the Corbett House on the Graduate Campus (enter campus at Gate 7) where we’ll be storing your luggage. Click here for a map and directions.

Staying in a Hotel: 
When will I be picked up? Where should I meet the shuttle? 

If you are arriving the evening before your trip departs, you can stay at any one of the airport hotels that provides complementary shuttles to and from the airport. The morning of your trip you will take the hotel shuttle back to the airport where we will pick you up at baggage claim (near baggage claim #8) between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM.

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DAY OF YOUR TRIP INFORMATION:


Quick Run-Through:
  1. Arrive via one of our shuttles or your own car (9:00am - 11:00am)
  2. Store gear you’re not taking on your trip
  3. Say (temporary) goodbye to parents, meet trip leaders.
  4. Check over and get your gear packed for your trip
  5. Get your Student ID card at Campus Safety
  6. Eat lunch at Fields Dining Room with your trip members
  7. Meet back up with your trip at the gear warehouse and depart!
 
What happens when I arrive at Lewis & Clark?

If you’re arriving by car or by one of our shuttles, we’ll have signs on the roads leading into campus pointing you towards our gear warehouse on the graduate school campus. We’ll have staff members ready to assist you in moving your gear for college into our storage facility. Once you’ve stored the gear you don’t need for your trip, we’ll walk you to our gear warehouse where you’ll meet your trip leaders and the other new students on your trip. At this point, students will be assisted by their trip leaders only - Parents, this is when you will say (a temporary) goodbye to your student. You are welcome to reconnect for lunch, but please help prevent overcrowding in our gear warehouse by cooperating with our staff. Continue reading for the rest of the day’s agenda.

 

Where will my belongings be stored that aren’t coming on the trip?

We have a very large and secure storage space available for you to store any luggage and college gear you bring with you to Portland.  There’s plenty of room so you can feel free to bring everything that you’ll need for your first year of college- we’ll have the space to store it while you are on your trip.

 
When will I get the gear I requested? Will I get help packing for my trip?

After you’ve met your trip leaders, they will go through your equipment with you to ensure that you have everything you need for your trip. If you requested to borrow gear from us, your gear will be waiting for you. Your trip leaders will be there to assist you in packing for your trip.

 

When can I get my Student ID card made?

Once your gear is packed, you’ll head to Campus Safety to have your Student ID card made, then head to have lunch. 

 

Is lunch provided?

Yes, lunch is provided on the day of your trip.  If you want to eat on campus, lunch at Fields Dining Hall (in the Templeton Campus Center) is covered under your trip fee. Your family is welcome to join you.  Additional meals are ~$7/person.  Make sure to eat lunch as meals with your trip begin on the evening of your trip departure date.

 
When does my trip leave campus?

Your trip will depart in the afternoon (likely between 2 PM & 4PM) that day. After this point, you will have limited access to cell phone service and no computer access. Part of the experience we provide includes an intentional detachment of these modern technologies. Our many years of running New Student Trips has taught us that groups benefit from engaging in conversation with one another which can be hindered by cell phones, iPods, etc.