Grace Magurk, of Canton, was one of 14 students who took part in this year's GEOFYRST trip, an immersive outdoor experience for new SUNY Oneonta students.

Pitching tents, cooking and camping under the starry night sky, jumping into swimming holes, hiking and seeing the geology of the Adirondack Region first-hand? All in a day's work during GEOFYRST (Geologic Experience Outdoors: First-Year Regional Summer Trip), a week-long, one-credit, pre-semester fall course exploring New York and the Northeast.

From Aug. 15-21, students traveled the region and were introduced to various geologic materials, landscapes and field technologies to understand our planet better. They were back in time for the first day of classes on Aug. 26.

The annual trip, which began in 2007, is open to all first-year students, regardless of major. Before any other students move onto campus, GEOFYRST students are immersed and engaged in the outdoors, building friendships and connections and gaining an appreciation of geology and, in turn, the Earth.