Trip leaders will always be glad to help tailor the trip to your needs. If you are just starting out, we do not recommend buying lots of gear. It is far better to borrow for you first couple of trips and then decide what you want to do after that. In general, all you need to provide is food and clothing. Good shoes are a good thing to have too, but again, you can borrow sometimes.
Most weekend trips are in the four state area because of limitations on travel.
Sometimes we take longer trips during spring break and summer. North Carolina, West Virginia, Tennesee and Georgia were all popular destinations last year. Few medical problems pose difficulty for outdoor adventurers. If you take medication, bring it along. If you can walk unassisted, your fine, come right along.