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Where does the High Sierra Semester take place?

The base for the High Sierra Semester is Emerald Cove Camp. The center is located 45 minutes north of Fresno, 15 minutes south of the entrance of Yosemite National Park in a small resort town called Bass Lake.

Who can participate in the High Sierra semester?

The program is open to all APU undergraduate students, from freshmen to seniors. No specific major is required to attend.

Are there leadership opportunities available at High Sierra?

Yes. Each semester, five student leaders are selected to serve on the Student Leadership Team. This team meets once a week with the residence director and graduate assistant to help plan and organize activities and events for students. The leadership positions are designed to reflect the four cornerstones of APU, and include two community mentors, a service mentor, a spiritual life mentor, and an academic mentor. For more information about these positions, please contact a High Sierra student representative or the residence director.

What is there to do up there?

Water skiing is at its best to the end of October. Other activities include mountain biking, road biking, ropes course, swimming pool (heated), half pipe, all-terrain skateboarding, backpacking, rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, snow skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, and much more.

What is the Great Works Program?

The Great Works Program is a living-learning environment that is centered on Liberal Arts academics. Also, through wilderness experiences, your leadership style will be revealed and your skills will be developed.

The program is a concurrent study of the great works in fields such as history, literature, philosophy, and art. A selected religion course such as Church History may also be offered, allowing you to focus on how God has revealed His plan for mankind throughout the ages. As an example, during the fall semester as you study history or philosophy from the beginning of recorded time to the Renaissance, you will also be studying the great works in other courses that relate to that era. Thus, your exposure to the liberal arts will be enhanced and deepened. As an illustration, you will not only be studying the Golden Age of the Greeks in your World Civilization class, but you will be simultaneously studying the great works of Greek literature, the great works of Greek art, great philosophers of the Greeks, as well as studying how God was working His plan for mankind during that time period. All classes are presented from a Christian worldview.

When do the semesters begin?

Students, faculty, and staff leave the Azusa campus on Labor Day and return the end of finals week in December. The spring semester begins on the day of spring registration (normally the second week of January) and students return during finals week (normally the first week in May).

What is the cost?

The cost is the same tuition and room and board as on the Azusa campus. There is an additional cost for the weekend study of art in San Francisco ($200) and an activity fee for use of the free-time equipment, such as ski boats ($175). If the student is taking more than 17 units, the student will fall under the normal policies of the university concerning additional units.

What about financial aid?

You may use your Cal Grants, Pell grants, loans, and institutional aid the same as if you were on campus. Music, athletics, theater, and forensics would not be applicable. Peggy Sciarillo in the Office of Student Financial Services is the High Sierra Program counselor. The Center for Global Learning & Engagement is the liaison for this program.

How many units may I take at the High Sierra Semester?

Students may take from 12-17 units while at the High Sierra Semester.

What courses will be offered at the High Sierra campus?

See the Courses Offered page for a listing of the courses that are typically offered during the Fall and Spring semesters.

What if I have already taken some of these courses?

Remember, in order to fulfill your general studies requirements, APU requires the following: At least 6 general studies elective courses (18 units or more of 300-400 level courses). So, as an example, if you have taken Introduction to Literature, the 300 level course, Humanities Seminar II: Literary Classics class may count as an upper-division general studies elective.

Are independent studies available?

Students may take independent study courses while attending the High Sierra Semester. This will be arranged by the student with either an on-site instructor or with an instructor who is on the main campus. The study must be arranged prior to the student's arrival at the High Sierra campus. The study may be done in any discipline, which could include one's major.

Are there work opportunities?

Yes, there are on-campus opportunities. Check with the program director for more information.

What are the library arrangements at the High Sierra Semester?

Technologically, library access will the same as it is on the main campus. There will be the same access to databases and many on-line texts. There will be a limited number of hard-copy books on the shelves.

What are the computer arrangements at the High Sierra Semester?

The entire campus is equipped with a wireless network. Each student will be issued a laptop that they will be able to use practically anywhere on campus. There is also a student learning center which houses four desktop computers and a black and white printer.

What are the living arrangements?

There are women's and men's dorms with no more than three students in each room. As a camp setting, the rooms in the summer hold eight, but have been modified to be quite comfortable.

Can friends come up and visit?

We will have a formal visitation weekend for family and friends once during the semester. Family and friends are welcome to visit during other times of the semester as well. In addition, we will make at least one weekend trip down to the main APU campus during the semester.

Are we allowed to have cars?

There is no parking available, but if you have your own mountain bike, that will be your main mode of transportation. The camp also makes several bikes available for student use. The Pines Village is only about 3-4 minutes away, and the town of Oakhurst is about 15 minutes away. The university will supply van transportation for students to go to town for groceries, movies, etc.

Will our cell phones work?

Verizon has the best reception in our area, however, most major carriers get limited service in Bass Lake.

What is the food like?

The cook is a 4-star chef and her husband is a 5-star chef! Not your typical camp food! There will be pastry and goodies available for students each night and a juice, soda and coffee bar will be available 24 hours a day.

What is this wilderness leadership stuff?

Experienced leaders will lead each student group into the Ansel Adams Wilderness for experiential adventure education. Through these adventures, your leadership style and traits will be explored. There will be backpacking, rock climbing, initiative classes, etc. Never a dull moment!

What about chapel?

On Monday nights we meet in small groups for Bible study. Friday mornings after breakfast, there is a formal chapel service. On Sunday mornings we will provide transportation to local churches in Oakhurst.

Can I still complete MAS hours while I'm at High Sierra?

High Sierra students will have opportunities throughout the semester to serve in local churches and other organizations in the area.

How do I apply?

To learn how to apply, visit www.apu.edu/highsierra/apply/.