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SOAP

Southern's Outdoor Adventure Program (SOAP)


We offer a wide variety of exciting learning adventures with the opportunity for you to meet new friends, learn new skills, and have fun in a safe environment. You can find a list of current SOAP trips below. All trips are FREE unless otherwise specified.

Sign up for a trip by selecting the SOAP Trip Signup prompt below. 

You can can ask questions about events or the program by emailing soap@southern.edu 

You must be a current Southern Adventist University student taking at LEAST 6 hours of undergraduate credit. YOU CAN ONLY SIGN YOURSELF UP; your friends must sign themselves up. One trip sign-up per email.

2025 - 2026 School Year SOAP Trips

September

27 - Canoeing Outdoor Church

    Front of Wright Hall 10am (Presignup Required)

October

4 - Caving Outdoor Church: Howard’s Waterfall Cave

     Front of Wright Hall 10am (Presignup Required)

10,11 - Overnight Rock Climbing 

      $25 fee, Presignup Required

25 - Hiking Outdoor Church 

    Front of Wright Hall 10am (Presignup Required)


November

7,8 - Overnight Backpacking Trip

     $25 fee, Presignup Required


22 - Hiking Outdoor Church 

     Front of Wright Hall 10am (Presignup Required)

December

6 - Caving Outdoor Church: Tumbling Rock Cave

    Front of Wright Hall 10am (Presignup Required)

After Signup, your name is stored on the trip list. You will be contacted the Monday before your trip with details. 

FAQs

Q. What about Facebook? »
A. You can still visit us on Facebook: find “SOAP Southern.” Click on the “Events” tab to view upcoming trips. You can’t sign up through Facebook, but you can post pictures from trips or message us with questions.
Q. Can I sign up for my friends? »
A. Only current students are allowed to attend our SOAP trips. 
Q. What about Sabbath? »
A. The outdoors is a great place to spend Sabbath. Bring your Bible and a guitar, and come enjoy God’s first book of nature. If a trip costs money or you need to rent something, make arrangements to pay before Sabbath.
Q. Where is the Outdoor Education Center? »
A. The Outdoor Education Center is located on University Drive on the right side of the road, just before the University Health Center. Look for the building with the hanging canoe.
GPS: N35.042 W-85.054 
Q. I have signed up. Now what? »
A. The week of the trip the leader will contact you by email with a list of clothing and other items that might be necessary to make your trip comfortable, safe, and fun. Some of the bigger trips have required pre-trip meetings. As for gear, SOAP provides all you need other than sleeping bags, which are available for rent.
Q. How difficult are the activities? »

A. The difficulty level of the activities that we offer is indicated by our SOAP scale.

1 bar = Anyone can do it. Just get up off the couch and come.

2 bars = You should probably be active and fairly comfortable being outdoors, but no prior experience is required.

3 bars = This could require some sweat, and some experience with outdoor physical activity is a prerequisite. Be prepared to be challenged.

Q. Can I lead a SOAP trip? »
A. We are always looking for new SOAP trip ideas and people to lead others out into nature. If you are interested in becoming a SOAP leader, fill out a SOAP Leader Application and tell us your trip ideas. Don't worry, you don't have to be an outdoor leadership major to apply!
If you don't have a new trip you would like to lead but are interested in leading one of our "staple" trips, let us know.
Q. Can I submit other questions? »

A. Your questions are important to us. Fill out the portion below, and we will do our best to answer your questions.