New Students to Take a Hike Before Class

Sixteen first-year Westmont students, representing states from Hawaii to Massachusetts, have registered for a unique orientation program that will take them trekking through the North Yosemite backcountry Aug. 12-24. Inoculum, an optional introduction to Westmont, offers students units of academic and physical education course credit.

Students are assigned to read a book, this year “Serve God, Save the Planet” by Dr. Matthew Sleeth, and will lead discussions on the volume during backpacking breaks and write a paper later in the semester.

Though several schools offer first-year seminars or programs that bring small groups of students together with faculty, few if any offer 12 days of backcountry experience like Westmont’s Inoculum. “It’ll be a unique and powerful experience to think about environmental stewardship in the beauty of the high Sierras,” says Tom Knecht, assistant professor of political science.

Inoculum was created in 1974 by alumnus Dave Willis, who is coordinator of Sierra Treks, a program that seeks to build Christian faith through wilderness experiences. Willis leads the Inoculum trip every year. Knecht and Eileen McMahon, assistant professor of biology, are the faculty leaders for this year’s team. Tom Fikes, associate professor of psychology, has been involved with the program for the past 12 years and will join the group during the excursion as a trekking guide.

McMahon, who first went on Inoculum in the summer of 2006, says students may never get another opportunity like this in their lives.

“Eleven days in the backcountry is not for everyone but so much is gained in the process,” she says. “You work hard to carry that heavy pack up the mountain pass, but then are rewarded by the incredible view of snow-capped mountains and crystal blue sky that unfolds before you as far as the distant horizon. You struggle to understand the thought-provoking readings but then are rewarded by rich, deep conversation with faculty and fellow students around the campfire as millions of stars glitter above you.”

Often times, students say the most memorable part of the trip is the solitude and contemplation, away from cell phones and social networking.

“One memorable moment for me was watching a female student, who was almost pathologically afraid of heights, make it to the top of the 12,000-foot Tower Peak we climb in Yosemite,” McMahon says. “There are quite a few challenging parts. We were wearing helmets and were roped in. When the student was particularly scared, all the other students would rally around her cheering her on. One would take her hand. Another would point to exactly where the student should plant her feet or grab a hand-hold on a rock. Yet another would position themselves right downhill so the female student would know someone would catch her if she slipped. It was beautiful to watch how they all worked as a team and really cared for one another. There was much cheering as the student made it to the top.”