First Year Ram Connect

Extended Orientation Experiences

What is Ram Connect?

Ram Connect is a series of optional, add-on outdoor extended orientation experiences designed to help you build stronger connections with other incoming students as well as experience some of what the beautiful Colorado outdoors have to offer.

There are three experiences available to incoming first-year students:  Ram Connect: Mountain, Ram Connect: Adventure, and Ram Connect: Wilderness.  Each of these experiences will offer the opportunity to meet new people and explore what it means to be a student at CSU while also catering to different interests. Scroll down to learn more about all of the different Ram Connect experiences or click one of the buttons below to learn about the experience that interests you most:

Reservations for all Ram Connect experiences are available through your Ram Orientation reservation as an additional opportunity.


Ram Connect: Adventure

Capacity: 18 students per session

Looking to connect with other new students while exploring some of the outdoor activities available in Northern Colorado? Register for this 3-day, 3 night experience where you’ll go hiking, camping, rock climbing, and white water rafting.

Check out the Ram Connect: Adventure Beginning Your Adventure Guide, which has a packing list and sample schedule.

Summer 2022 Session Dates:

  • Session 1: June 16-19
  • Session 2: July 8-11

Cost: $260

*Cost includes all meals, 3 nights of camping in nearby National and State parks, transportation, white water rafting, and other activities


Ram Connect: Mountain

Capacity: 55 students per session

Journey up to the CSU Mountain Campus on this 2 day, 2 night experience where you will participate in the Challenge Ropes Course, an alpine hike, campfire, and other community-building activities.

Check out our Ram Connect: Mountain Beginning Your Adventure Guide, which has a packing list and sample schedule.

Summer 2022 Session Dates:

  • Session 1: June 10-12
  • Session 2: June 24-26
  • Session 3: July 15-17
  • Session 4: July 22-24

Cost: $302

Download your required waivers here. If you are under 18 years of age, your parent or legal guardian must fill out the waivers.

*Cost includes all meals, 2 nights of lodging (linens included) at CSU Mountain Campus, transportation, activities, and supplies


Ram Connect: Wilderness

Capacity: 8 students

Connect with fellow new students as you spend three days and three nights backpacking through Rocky Mountain National Park. Learn about this popular Colorado activity while learning how to successfully navigate your first semester at CSU.

Check out the Ram Connect: Wilderness Beginning Your Adventure Guide, which has a packing list and sample schedule.

Summer 2022 Session Dates:

  • Session 1: July 14-17

Cost: $155

*Cost includes all meals, park entrance and backcountry camping fees, transportation, and gear.


If you can’t find the information you’re looking for in these questions, please contact our office at 970-491-6011 or at orientation@colostate.edu.

The Beginning Your Adventure Guides are coming soon and will include information about what gear you will need for each experience.

Sometimes plans change. If you need to change or cancel your Ram Connect registration, call our office at 970-491-6011. Please keep the following refund policy in mind:

Time of Cancellation Refund
Before May 1st100% refund
At least 28 days prior to program75% refund
15-27 days prior to program50% refund
Fewer than 14 days prior to programNo refund will be issued

Please note that it takes 1-1.5 hours to get from CSU’s campus to the Denver International Airport. We recommend not scheduling a flight earlier than 3 hours after the anticipated time we will arrive back to campus.