First Ascent & First-Year Summer Institute

First-year students beginning their journey as a Monarch in Fall 2023 are invited to engage with Recreation & Wellness before classes begin in August! Sign up for the First Ascent outdoor program or the first session of the First-Year Summer Institute to start your first year at ODU off on the right foot!

First Ascent is a unique orientation program for students coming to Old Dominion University each Fall. This outdoor adventure-based orientation introduces new students to fellow peers and helps ease their transition into college life, while having fun in the outdoors. This experience will help establish the foundation for building meaningful relationships within the ODU community. Learn more and register! Contact recwell@odu.edu with questions.

First-year Summer Institute (FSI) is a three-day intensive leadership program for incoming ODU students held during the summer (transfer students are welcome). FSI builds on the leadership skills of our new students and provides them with a jump-start to becoming acclimated to campus. The students engage with faculty, staff, and current student leaders. Rec Well will be leading Session I from July 11-13. The theme is "Stay Active in Recreation & Wellness as Moving Monarchs". Learn more!