General info
Do I need previous experience to go on adventures with AWL?
Nope! At AWL, we welcome all levels of experience and ability for all of our activities. Our guides provide all of the necessary instruction on the day of your trip.
Please review our Essential Eligibility Criteria for more information.
What ages are AWL Adventures appropriate for?
AWL trips are generally appropriate for ages 6 and up.
For our Community Trips, participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
What about inclement weather? Do AWL adventures go rain or shine?
AWL adventures are a “go” rain or shine. As Oregonians know, rainy days are a way of life, and we rarely cancel due to rain or inclement weather. We recommend packing extra layers in your pack no matter the season. In cases of a possible cold snap or a downpour, AWL provides wetsuits, fleeces, waterproof outer layers, and other amenities appropriate for your activity upon request.
In the face of extreme weather or other environmental conditions, AWL may make a decision to cancel your trip. We always have your safety and well-being as our top priority, and therefore we watch forecasts and reports closely in the days leading up to your adventure. If AWL decides to cancel, we will notify you as soon as possible, usually on the day before your trip is scheduled.
CLOTHING, GEAR, & EQUIPMENT
What equipment does AWL provide?
AWL provides all of the necessary equipment related to the activity, including safety gear and select weather-dependent clothing.
What do I need to bring?
For every adventure, we ask that you come prepared with a lunch, snacks, plenty of water, and appropriate clothing and shoes for the outdoors. Each adventure activity has a suggested Clothing and Pack List (found on our Policies & Info page) for you to prepare for your trip.
How should I prepare for my adventure?
Fill out a Liability Waiver for your activity. Please be thorough when answering any relevant health related questions so that we may be able to best accommodate your needs.
Check the pack list and make sure you have what you need! You can find the pack list for your activity on our Policies & Info page.
Look for a pre-trip email from AWL containing all the important details for your trip!
Can I borrow clothing or gear from AWL for my adventure?
Yes! We understand that having the proper outdoor gear is a barrier for many. Thanks to generous donations from Columbia Sportswear and others, our warehouse is outfitted with everything from winter jackets to hiking shoes and more! To submit a gear request, please visit the “Gear Request” section on our Policies and Info page.
Please note, that these are requests and may not be guaranteed. If you do have your own gear, we suggest using your personal items. AWL will provide all necessary equipment (Ie. kayaks, snowshoes, etc.) to do the activity which does not require an additional gear request. If you have any questions about clothing or gear, contact us at info@awloutdoors.org.
CUSTOM GROUP TRIPS
How do I schedule an adventure for my group/ family?
Review your adventure choices here, than click on “Book an Adventure” to submit a trip request form.
After reviewing your request, our admin team will contact you to finalize scheduling and go over all the nitty gritty details. We can’t wait to plan a trip with you!
When should I submit a Booking Request?
We recommend making your reservation as soon as possible. All trip requests must be made at least 7 days in advance, however the earlier the better to secure your spot on the calendar:
For summer adventures, our calendar fills up rapidly about 3-4 months in advance. Fall, Winter, and Spring adventures are best scheduled at least 2 months in advance.
Do you provide transportation?
Transportation from a centralized pick up location in the Portland metro area is usually an option for community trips, depending on the activity and location. Transportation may be requested for small group or partner trips for an additional fee.
How do I cancel my trip? Is there a cancelation fee?
If you need to cancel a reservation you must do so at least 14 days before the date of the trip in order to receive a full refund of your deposit. If you cancel within 14 days of your trip, you will forfeit your deposit of 50% of the total trip cost.
There is no exception to this policy. You can view our full Cancelation Policy here.
If AWL chooses to cancel a trip due to weather, environmental conditions, or otherwise, you will be given a full refund of your deposit.
COMMUNITY Trips
How are “Community Trips” different from a Small Group Trip?
Community Trips are open enrollment ~ meaning available to anyone from the public to sign up. To view what trips are available, visit our Community Trip listings.
Small Group Trips are designed to be custom ~ for folks who want to book an experience tailored to their group. Whether you are a nonprofit, corporate business, private family, independent organization, or just a group of awesome folks to want to get outside, we would love to chat with you about your adventure goals! Visit our Small Group & Private Trips page to submit a Booking Request.
How much does it cost to sign up for a Community Trip?
The cost of our programs vary depending on several factors. You can anticipate a Community Trip with fees between $90 - $125 per person unless otherwise noted. Most of our trips are offered on a sliding scale where participants have the ability to self select the cost of their trip based on their personal financial situation.
How do I register for a Community Trip? How do payments work?
Enrollment in our Community Trips requires you to sign up on our registration system through our website (select the button that says “SIGN UP” under the trip description) or by calling the Program Directors. Your Credit card information is required at the time of registration. If your trip does not reach the minimum number of registrants within 5 days of the scheduled trip date, the trip will be cancelled and your card will be refunded.
What is your cancellation and refund policy for Community Trips?
If you need to cancel your spot on a trip, you must do so at least 7 days before the date of the trip in order to receive a full refund. If you cancel within 7 days of your trip, you will be charged 50% of the total trip cost. If you cancel or no-show on the day of your trip, you will forfeit the entire cost of the trip. There is no exception to this policy.
If AWL chooses to cancel a trip due to weather, environmental conditions, or otherwise, you will be given a full refund.
Is transportation provided for Community Trips?
Transportation from a centralized pick up location in the Portland metro area is usually an option for community trips, please see registration page for individual trip for details.
Adaptive SUPPORT
What kinds of adaptive equipment and/or supports does AWL provide?
AWL has a variety of adaptive equipment for every adventure. We offer creative and flexible solutions to meet your individual needs. Please review our Essential Eligibility Criteria to learn more about what participants can expect.
If you have questions about how we may be able to support you on a trip, please contact us at 503-389-0580.
AWL does not provide assistance with dressing, hygiene, or medication. Trip participants must be able to complete these tasks independently or with the assistance of a personal care provider.