Whitman College Immersions 2019

Policies
Drugs, Smoking and Alcohol Policy
No use of illegal or recreational drugs is allowed during any
college trips, because they inhibit full engagement. Anyone
who uses drugs or alcohol will be released from the trip.
It will be the responsibility of the individual to coordinate
plans once they are removed from the trip. Smoking is
not permitted during outdoor trips due to fire risks.
Accessibility
We strive for our Immersions experiences to be accessible
to all students. If you have any QUESTIONS ABOUT
ACCESSIBILITY please contact the coordinator for the
program you are interested in.
Safety and Risk
EXPLORATIONS: Exploration leaders are expected
to possess current Red Cross first aid certification and a
food handler permit. Exploration leaders participate in
leadership training by a variety of Whitman staff in the
spring semester as well as additional training prior to the
start of Explorations in August. Each Exploration trip will
have a first aid kit and each leader will have a cellphone.
SCORE: SCORE leaders are required to possess current
Red Cross first aid certification. SCORE leaders participate
in training provided by the Student Engagement Center
directly prior to the SCORE start date. Each SCORE trip will
have a first aid kit and each leader will have a cellphone.
SCRAMBLES: All Scramble leaders are required to
possess current CPR and first aid certifications. Every
Scramble leader team has at least one leader with a more
advanced first aid certification such as Wilderness First
Responder (WFR) or Wilderness EMT. Most Scrambles have
two or more WFR-certified leaders. All Scrambles have at
least one van-certified driver for each 12- or 15-passenger
van. Scramble leaders also participate in a required fourday
backcountry Scramble leader training provided by
Whitman College. Many leaders also have taken an optional
elective course such as Outdoor Leadership, River Guide
Leadership, Sea Kayak Guide Leadership or Advanced
Climbing, and/or have paid trip leading experience.
Each Scramble carries two first aid kits, four epinephrine
doses and a cellphone in the van. Some Scrambles carry
additional communication equipment, such as satellite
phones or marine radios. Leaders are trained to use
safety and communication equipment and are expected
to follow Whitman evacuation and treatment procedures.
Participants with food allergies or restrictions are highly
encouraged to work directly with their trip leaders to
ensure their dietary needs are met. Bringing a few of
your favorite special food items is also possible and may
increase your comfort.
There are inherent risks and hazards in living and
traveling in the remote wilderness areas where
Scrambles travel. Whitman is committed to minimizing
these risks as much as possible, but risk cannot be
entirely eliminated. Freezing temperatures, rain,
snow, rivers, rockfall, lightning and other hazards
encountered during wilderness activities can challenge