Watch a video about Passage
Why Wheaton Passage?
Wheaton Passage is Wheaton College's new student transition program that is specifically designed to help students make friends with fellow new students, build relationships with upperclassmen, and connect with Wheaton College faculty.
Research shows that college transitional programs, like Passage, improve students' overall college experience. Second to dorm life at Wheaton, students make the most friends at Passage. HoneyRock offers four distinct options for your Passage experience and each features one-of-a-kind opportunities and experiences. Explore the different tracks to see which might be the best fit for you!
Packing Lists for Wheaton Passage
Track | Packing List (Downloadable PDF) |
---|---|
Backpacking | Backpacking Packing List for Wilderness Wheaton Passage |
Canoeing | Canoeing Packing List for Wilderness Wheaton Passage |
Sea Kayaking | Sea Kayaking Packing List for Wilderness Wheaton Passage |
Climbing | Climbing Packing List for Wilderness Passage |
Urban | Urban Packing List for Wheaton Passage |
Northwoods/Equestrian | Northwoods Equestrian Packing List for Wheaton Passage |
Dates: August 4 - 19, 2021 | No wilderness experience necessary!
Packing List:
Your adventure begins when you meet your leader and small group at Wheaton College. You will travel together on coach buses to one of four wilderness experiences:
- Sea kayaking around the Apostle Islands of Wisconsin
- Canoeing in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota
- Backpacking in the Sawtooth Mountains of Minnesota or the Superior Hiking Trail in Minnesota
- Rock climbing on the North Shore of Minnesota
Activities may also include rappelling, team building, and a solo experience. The length and remote nature of your trip provide experiences in community, personal growth, and creation. Previous wilderness or camping experience is not necessary to successfully complete this trip.
All tracks converge at HoneyRock for several days of small group discussions with Wheaton College faculty, service projects in the local community, and activities. After this time at HoneyRock, all Passage students will travel back to Wheaton in time for on-campus orientation.
During Passage, students are enrolled in CFM 131: Introduction to Spiritual Formation. Students will complete reading and writing assignments before and after coming to HoneyRock as part of the course experience.
To Request a Trip:
The student should request their trip preferences during the registration process. These requests will be honored on a first come first serve basis unless there is a medical circumstance that prevents a student from participating in one of the trips.
The Wilderness Track has limited spots due to staffing, equipment, permit availability and safety regulations. If, after the Wilderness track becomes full, you would like to be put on the waitlist for the wilderness track, you should register for the Northwoods track and then complete a second registration for the Wilderness track. When you get to the end of the wilderness registration you will be notified that you have been put on a waiting list. Every year we have students drop out or switch tracks and students are able to move off the waitlist. See instructions for getting on the waitlist here.
If you have questions about this track or need assistance in the registration process, email passage@wheaton.edu.
Dates: August 7 - 19, 2021
Packing List: Urban Packing List for Wheaton Passage
Urban Passage will take you right into Chicago where you will reside at Wheaton College's Urban Studies facility located in Woodlawn - one of Chicago's most diverse communities. Dedicated to community service, you will interface with different organizations that are ministering throughout the city. Living in community and serving others will become the basis for the close friendships you will form through this unique Wheaton College experience.
- You will meet at Wheaton College and board vans to the Wheaton College Urban Studies facility located in the Woodlawn neighborhood, one of Chicago's most diverse communities.
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Once in Chicago, you will be living and working in community (sleeping, cooking, and eating meals) with your fellow classmates under the leadership of highly trained HoneyRock staff members.
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Dedicated to community service, you will interface with different organizations that are ministering throughout the city of Chicago.
All tracks will come together at HoneyRock for several days of small group discussions with Wheaton College faculty, service projects in the local community, and activities. After this time, all Passage students will travel back to Wheaton in time for on-campus orientation.
During Passage, students are enrolled in CFM 131: Introduction to Spiritual Formation and receive 2 hours of credit. Students will complete reading and writing assignments before and after coming to HoneyRock as part of the course experience.
If you have questions about this track or need assistance in the registration process, email passage@wheaton.edu.
Dates: August 11 - 19, 2021
Packing List: Northwoods Equestrian Packing List for Wheaton Passage
Being part of the Equestrian experience provides you with a tight community and unique experiences through God's creation, while learning horsemanship skills.
Based at HoneyRock, you will become immersed in the world of horses and equestrian training while you transition into Wheaton College. With the beauty of the Northwoods surrounding you, you will participate in a variety of horsemanship activities such as arena classes, trail rides, and ground-training skills. While involved in these experiences, you will form close friendships with your peers and leaders.
- Your adventure starts when you meet at Wheaton College and board coach buses to HoneyRock.
- Once you arrive, you will meet the other 7-9 members of your small group and your leader who is a highly trained HoneyRock staff member.
- For the first three days, your small group will bond through a variety of horsemanship activities such as arena classes, trail rides, and ground-training skills. While participating in these experiences you will have group discussions and get to know your peers as well as your leaders.
All tracks will come together at HoneyRock for several days of small group discussions with Wheaton College faculty, service projects in the local community, and activities. After this, all Passage students will travel back to Wheaton in time for on-campus orientation.
During Passage, students are enrolled in CFM 131: Introduction to Spiritual Formation and receive 2 hours of course credit. Students will complete reading and writing assignments before and after coming to HoneyRock as part of the course experience.
If you have questions about this track or need assistance in the registration process, email passage@wheaton.edu.
Dates: August 11 - 19, 2021
Packing List: Northwoods Equestrian Packing List for Wheaton Passage
Settling into HoneyRock, you'll be surrounded by the beauty and majesty of the Northwoods. This residential experience brings you into a close community by living and sharing life with 7-9 small group members. Enjoy the beauty of Long Lake with activities such as hiking, canoeing, biking, watersports, and much more while you build friendships with peers and upper-class students.
- Your adventure starts when you meet at Wheaton College and board coach buses to HoneyRock, where you will engage in a residential experience.
- Once you arrive, you will meet the other 7-9 members of your small group and your leader who is a trained HoneyRock staff member.
- For the first three days, your small group will bond through fun team-building activities such as challenge course initiatives, hiking, canoeing, ceramics, campfires and discussions.
All tracks will come together at HoneyRock for several days of small group discussions with Wheaton College faculty, service projects in the local community, and activities. After this period of convergence, all Passage students will travel back to Wheaton in time for on-campus orientation.
During Passage, students are enrolled in CFM 131: Introduction to Spiritual Formation and receive 2 hours of course credit. Students will complete reading and writing assignments before and after coming to HoneyRock as part of the course experience.
If you have questions about this track or need assistance in the registration process, email passage@wheaton.edu.

Offset the Cost of Passage
Are finances keeping you from considering the Passage experience? Contact our team at passage@wheaton.edu for more information.
Earn Academic Credit with Passage
Passage is a 2-credit course. All students who are enrolled in Passage are automatically enrolled in CFM 131: Introduction to Spiritual Formation (you do not need to register for this class with the Registrar - we will do it for you).
Course Fee
$795
Course Texts
This course requires 12-24 hours of pre-course work. Students are required to purchase hard copies of the following books.
- Embracing the Love of God by James Bryan Smith (either edition). Purchase a hard copy through the Wheaton College Bookstore or Amazon.com.
- Wheaton Passage Workbook, 2021 version. This workbook contains the course syllabus, a student checklist, and various readings and assignments. Purchase a hard copy from the Wheaton College Bookstore. Make sure to buy the 2021 version!
** If you have questions or concerns about the course texts, please let us know at passage@wheaton.edu.
Important Note About E-books:
You must have a hard copy of the workbook. You will not have access to electronic devices (phone, computer, kindle, reader, etc) during Passage and you will need hard copies of the book and all responses to effectively participate in discussions. If you purchase an ebook, you must purchase it IN ADDITION to the hard copy. The only circumstance in which we recommend ordering an ebook and a hardcopy is if you are registering for Passage within 4 weeks of the start date and want to get a jump start on the reading. All assignments should ultimately be completed in the hard copy version as you will not have access to electronic devices during Passage.
Pre Course Work: Students will need to complete the Wheaton Passage workbook PRIOR to arriving for Passage. This involves 12-24 hours of reading, writing, and reflection.
Participation: Students participate in activities, discussions, reflection, and writing assignments during Passage. Participation is part of the course grade.
Wheaton Campus Assignments and Meetings: Upon returning to Wheaton, students must complete a final paper, meet 1:1 with their faculty leader and connect with their group for one final get together before the end of A-quad.
This course has several instructors. Each student group will have a unique faculty member assigned to them. They will not know who their faculty member is until they meet towards the end of Passage. Other instructors include:
- Barrett McRay Ph.D. - Wheaton Passage Lead Faculty Member
- Rachael Botting M.A. - Program Manager
- Rob Ribbe Ph.D. - Director of HoneyRock, Assistant Professor of Christian Formation and Ministry
How to Sign Up for Wheaton Passage
Due Date:
Ongoing
Instructions:
Sign up for Passage by signing in* or creating your account with HoneyRock and paying the $100 registration fee.
*If you've ever been to HoneyRock, you already have an account!
Due Date: Ongoing
Instructions:
Students must purchase two texts for the course. There is significant reading that must be done ahead of time so make sure you order these as soon as possible.
- Wheaton Passage Workbook 2021 | NOT YET AVAILABLE - will update Spring 2021
- To Order: Purchase through the Wheaton College Bookstore
- Must be a hard copy (no ebooks) of the 2021 edition.
- Includes the syllabus, readings, discussion guides, and grading rubrics.
- Embracing the Love of God by James Bryan Smith
- To Order: Purchase through the Wheaton College Bookstore or Amazon.
- Must be a hard copy, either edition is fine.
** If you have questions or concerns about the course texts, please let us know at passage@wheaton.edu.
Important Note About E-books:
You must have a hard copy of the workbook. You will not have access to electronic devices (phone, computer, kindle, reader, etc) during Passage and you will need hard copies of the book and all responses to effectively participate in discussions. If you purchase an ebook, you must purchase it IN ADDITION to the hard copy. The only circumstance in which we recommend ordering an ebook and a hardcopy is if you are registering for Passage within 4 weeks of the start date and want to get a jump start on the reading. All assignments should ultimately be completed in the hard copy version as you will not have access to electronic devices during Passage.
Due Date:
Preferably as you register, but no later than July 1.
Instructions:
Sign into your account and confirm your transportation plans.
Due Date:
Upon registration
Instructions:
It's important to thoroughly review our FAQ page, which includes need-to-know information about having the best Passage experience!
Helpful Information within the FAQ page:
- Technology & Communication Policy
- Special Notes for Parents
- Transportation Information
- About Wheaton Passage Leaders
- Packing List

Sign Up Today!
It's the best way to begin your Wheaton experience: make friends, have fun, get ahead on credit, and interact extensively with Wheaton College faculty.