Summer WAVE Excursion Options | University of Portland

Summer WAVE Excursion Options

On the Go with PDX Sports

Available: June 27th or July 9th

Portland boasts a thriving sports scene, from the die-hard fans to the growing number of major sports apparel manufacturers that have made the Rose City their home base.  Join faculty in touring the sports management facilities of the Portland Timbers & Thorns and Portland Trailblazers to learn about the sports industry and the Portland market. 

World of Comics

Available: June 15th, June 27th, or July 9th

 Did you know Portland is a hotbed for comic books? Join faculty in exploring this vibrant niche in the city’s arts world.  Talk with locally based cartoonists, illustrators, writers, concept designers, graphic novelists, and storyboard artists to see how comics are produced and then visit one or two retail outlets (such as Excalibur Comics or Rose City Comics) to browse the finished products. 

Engineering Wonders

Available: June 15th, June 27th, or July 9th

They don’t call Portland Bridgetown for nothing! The city is bisected by the Willamette River and bordered by the Columbia River. That’s why a series of bridges is necessary to keep the city running.  From the St. Johns Bridge in the north to the Sellwood Bridge in the south, Portland’s 12 bridges are some of the most iconic structures in the city.  Join faculty who have helped construct them and meet with city officials who help care and maintain them.

Sustainable Foodways

Available: June 15th, June 27th, or July 9th

Decades ago, Portland’s farm-to-table movement helped change the way the nation eats, and it’s still going strong today thanks to our abundance of small farms thriving all around the metro area. See and taste the impact for yourself on a berry-picking visit to Sauvie Island.  Learn from faculty and local farmers about local efforts to bring fresh produce to local restaurants and positively impact the food chain.

Portland's Music Scene

Available: June 15th, June 27th, or July 9th

Packed with music venues large and small, there’s no better place to catch a show than Portland. Join faculty in touring one of the city’s most iconic venues, the Crystal Ballroom, where local bands such as The Shins and The Decemberists first made their names.  Learn from music producers and musicians at Mississippi Studios and check out the popular shop, Vinyl Resting Place.

Nature Therapy and Mindfulness

Available: June 15th or June 27th

One of the most celebrated and authentic Japanese gardens in the U.S., the Portland Japanese Garden inspires peace and tranquility.  Join faculty in touring this living experiential classroom to learn more about how mindfulness and connecting to nature can contribute to lasting health and wellness. 

Heart of St. Johns Bike Ride

Available: June 15th, June 27th, or July 9th

Join UP’s Outdoor Pursuits team as we explore the St. Johns neighborhood by bike! St. Johns is known for its laid-back coffee shops and vintage stores, iconic bridge and sprawling park on the banks of the Willamette. Come see for yourself! We’ll bike a 4-mile loop of mostly flat terrain starting at UP and cruising all around the neighborhood, stopping at picturesque spots and local landmarks along the way. Bikes and helmets are provided! 

Chasing Waterfalls at Multnomah Falls

Available: June 15th, June 27th, or July 9th

Come along with Outdoor Pursuits on a trip to Multnomah Falls—one of Oregon’s most stunning landmarks. The most-visited natural site in the Pacific Northwest, it’s also the tallest waterfall in Oregon and the gateway to the scenic Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. We’ll drive to Multnomah Falls for pictures and a 0.25-mile hike to the waterfall bridge. Transportation and snacks provided!