Westmont College Inoculum Program

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Inoculum program is a Westmont off-campus program that happens during during the last few weeks of summer. Open to both incoming and returning students, the purpose of the Inoculum is to provide an orientation to Westmont College. During our 12 days in the Sierra high country, we'll have the opportunity to dig deeply into a readings and discussion that allow us to think about the meaning of a Christian liberal arts education and the ways in which this might transform our relationship with God, with each other, and with God's creation.

Students receive 2 general education elective credits (1 Interdisciplinary Studies, 1 PE), backpacking in small groups of six to eight students. Each group also includes a Westmont faculty member and two experienced guides. Prior to the trip, students are sent readings and assignments from the professor (in past years these have ranged from Phillip Yancey's What's So Amazing About Grace to Thomas a Kempis' Imitation of Christ to Vikto Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning). These readings are discussed around camp stoves and pristine mountain lakes during the trip, and students typically write a short paper early in the Fall term after returning.

And of course, it's not all academic. We spend the entire time in the North Yosemite backcountry and surrounding wilderness, camping and trekking in some of the most spectacular, untouched alpine country in the United States. Along the way, we'll spend a day rock climbing (no experience necessary), and a day summitting one of the High Sierra peaks. All climbing -- and the rest of the trek, as well -- is supervised by guides from Sierra Treks, an outstanding Christian wilderness program that has helped our students get into the mountains for over 25 years.

The cost is $1450 (a $300 deposit is due with registration, the balance later in the summer). This covers transportation to & from Westmont, food during the backpack, 2 units of course credit, insurance, equipment, and guides. You need to bring good boots, a reasonably well-conditioned body, and a willing heart. Some partial scholarships are available on the basis of financial need - please contact us for more information.

JUST THE FACTS:

WHEN: August 14-26, 2008 (dinner, slide show, and orientation on August 14; families are welcome)
WHERE: North Yosemite & surrounding wilderness near Bridgeport, CA; transportation to and from Westmont is provided.
WHO: 1 faculty leader, 2 Sierra Trek guides, and 6-8 Westmont students (returning and first-year) in each group
CURRICULUM: It depends on the particular group you get assigned to; recent year's readings range from Thomas a Kempis' Imitation of Christ to Yancey's What's So Amazing About Grace to Nietzsche.
ITINERARY: We drive to Bridgeport in the eastern Sierra on the first day, pack up and distribute gear in the park, and hike in a mile or so to our first camp. During the rest of the trip, we're either hiking or taking a layover day at one of the camp sites. One of the layover days is devoted to an introduction to rock climbing, another to a peak climb (where you'll have an opportunity to put some of your climbing skills to work), and another to "solo," 24 hours alone with your Bible and the mountains.
COST: $1450, $300 of which is due as a deposit with the registration form, and the balance of which is due July 15.

For more information, please contact Dr. Tom Fikes. Dr. Fikes is Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, and has been involved with the Inoculum program since he began teaching at Westmont in 1998. He can be reached by telephone (805-565-6115), email (fikes@westmont.edu), or fax (805-565-6116). The Inoculum is one of Westmont's many off-campus programs, and is under the general auspices of the Off-Campus Programs Office (contact Barb Pointer at 805-565-6009 or bpointer@westmont.edu). Dr. Eileen McMahon, Assistant Professor of Biology, is also assisting with the Inoculum program and can be reached at 805-565-6117 or mcmahon@westmont.edu.