Fun freshman orientation

Parent Cafe
1

<p>My son’s college has a pretty neat freshman orientation program where the whole freshman class does a community service project the first two days prior to when classes start. </p>

<p>Besides that there’s a wilderness program offered for the first 20 students that respond that starts the week before orientation. Called Journey, this involves mountain biking for one day, three days of backpacking on the Appalachian Trail and a canoe trip down the James River. It’s open only to freshman, no prior experience necessary but would be helpful. The college has all the equipment too if you don’t have that. It’s run by the wilderness clubs from the college. Doesn’t this sound like a great way to jumpstart some friendships?</p>

2

<p>better than the stuff we hear about with all the drinking, etc</p>

<p>see, this is a good plan</p>

3

<p>Penn State also has a wilderness program for freshman called ORION.
Groups of 10 camp out for 5 days and are led on hikes through the Nitanny mountain wilderness with Kayaking or mountain climbing as an add on. They provide all the equipment and food and it’s really cheap. I think it’s a great way to meet some kids before the official 1-week orientation in late August. Also, the honors college does book group discussions during orientation (reading lists provided over the summer) and sponsors a tailgate before the first football game.</p>

4

<p>Rice U has a week of activities on campus for freshman and older advisors before school starts - called “O-week”. It is “dry”, and the advisors from each of the 9 residential colleges lead the freshman in many activities to help them bond together, as well as the practical things like advising, testing, etc. The freshman get to know Houston and the campus. There is also a service-learning project freshman can do before school starts. The Rice kids seem to recall “O-Week” as one of the most fabulous times at Rice.</p>

5

<p>Columbia offers an outdoor orientation experience with a choice of rafting, hiking or biking. It’s a 5 day trip prior to the general freshman orientation. I believe there is a $350 charge to participate.</p>

6

<p>Amherst has a camping and hiking trip, as well. If you don’t want that, there are tours of the area, the malls, etc, along with lots of other activities for the frosh to meet each other, and get to know the area.</p>

7

<p>My sons have been offered these backwoods orientations but did not participate because they had summer jobs and thought they sounded too much like going to camp. There comes a time some late teens want to break away from structured experiences.Okay, I’m not saying there is anything wrong with these experiences, just saying some prefer to do these things with friends and make new friends on their own terms with people they chose.</p>

8

<p>Reed has O-week too
several different things
It wasn’t a close the deal thing- but I liked that it was structured
had several different choices ( backpacking- volunteering- trip to ocean- Portland shopping expedition…) and gave you an opportunity to meet some other people right away- soem kids may be great at meeting others- but with so much going on to get ready for college- I liked that they had a chance to do something besides worry about their place on the grading curve.
Freshman year- she participated in a peer mentor retreat for first gen and other students who are generally underserved by 4 year schools.</p>

<p>After freshman year- she particpated in those programs as a mentor.</p>

<p>For those from a blue collar background, it was a big culture shock, and the mentor program does give students another support on campus, which there really seems a need for- even though I think parents could give students more support than they realize, the students both want to be independent, but also have someone else who understands that they have a lot to process</p>

9

<p>For my son, this will be perfect. He’s pretty shy but loves all the activities that they’re offering. Sometimes it takes some doing to fine “your people” at college and this seems a little easier then the somewhat awkward mixers. My daughter, college senior, said she wished they had had something like that at her college. Like a last hurrah of a vacation before they get into studying.</p>

10

<p>Actually, I think it is a wonderful experience for the kids. But sons were not interested and after all, it’s their future.</p>

11

<p>Of course, BHG, it’s only good if the student wants to do it. My S did the rafting trip at Columbia that acinva described; he had the time of his life. A great way to meet people and start to make friends.</p>

12

<p>Well, yeah, of course it’s up to them, it’s a little late for me to be signing him up for something. OTOH, if I hadn’t brought it to his attention (he was going to wait and see what else would be offered) he would not have taken action. </p>

<p>I’m so over organized when we go on vacation, that having someone else do the planning would be pretty fine.</p>

13

<p>you’re over organized?
We only go camping because then we can just keep throwing things in teh car for 4 hours.
( I have gone places where I am limited to just a couple bags but it is tough)
Reed also has- as I am sure other schools do- a winter break with fun classes for a few weeks.
There is a month? or so between fall and spring term- but the school is mostly open- and community members can teach informal classes- I think my daughter has taught knitting for a few years, physics majors might teach how to build a trebuchet that can fling a flaming pumpkin at Halloween…
I think they really enjoy being on campus but with out the stress.</p>

14

<p>The Dartmouth Outing Club (DOC) started its Freshman Trips program in 1935. Today, approximately 85% of all incoming students participate in DOC First-Year Trips. The program is also entirely student run between over 250 trip leaders, 50 support crew members, and a student Director. There are also 4 EMTs on call at all times during Trips to ensure the program runs smoothly and stays safe.</p>

<p>The primary goal of DOC Trips is to enable current students to welcome the incoming class to Dartmouth while providing them an introduction to their classmates and the outdoors. Each trip consists of 6-12 new students and 2 student leaders. Trips all last for 5 days, starting in Hanover and ending at Moosilauke Ravine Lodge. DOC Trips are open to all interested students and therefore, the Trips program is staggered over ten sections, each arriving on its own day then heading out into the wilderness.</p>

15

<p>DOC Trips were amazing. There are all sorts - you can choose anything between “psycho hiking,” “canoeing,” and “nature photography,” so there’s something for everyone.</p>

<p>We also get regular orientation, which I found to be really long, but a good way to get to know other freshmen before the entire school arrived.</p>

16

<p>What’s DOC? psycho hiking sounds interesting! Would that be running down the trails??</p>

17

<p>The Williams Outing Club (WOC) runs a similar program called WOOLF–Williams Outdoor Orientation for Living as Firstyears. OK, so acronyms aren’t their strong point. Very nice program though, with different ranges of difficulty, from former couch-potato to psycho climbing/rafting etc.</p>

18

<p>If Psycho hiking isn’t your thing, other types of DOC trips include:</p>

<p>Canoeing
Canoeing Trips are offered only to those with some canoeing and camping experience. </p>

<p>Climbing
Climbing Trips involve both rugged hiking and introductory climbing. </p>

<p>Fishing
Fishing Trips spend the first two and a half days in the Dartmouth College Grant, a 27,000 acre wilderness area in northern New Hampshire. </p>

<p>Hiking</p>

<p>Hiking Trips are available for any level of ability or experience. They range from optional nature walks based out of a DOC cabin, to difficult hikes over some of the most challenging peaks in the White Mountains. All trip levels except “leisurely” involve two and a half days of carrying a pack which will contain your clothes and sleeping bag as well as some food.</p>

<p>Horseback Riding
Horseback Riding Trips take advantage of Dartmouth’s beautiful riding facilities at the 180-acre Morton Farm. </p>

<p>Kayaking (Flatwater)
Flatwater Kayaking Trips are offered for those who would enjoy paddling sea kayaks along the tranquil Connecticut River. You will get to see the scenic Upper Valley and learn basic sea kayaking skills. </p>

<p>Kayaking (Whitewater)
Whitewater Kayaking Trips begin with instruction in the basics of how to kayak, including strokes and basic boat movement. From there prepare for a taste of whitewater as you practice on real (small) rapids. No kayaking experience is necessary or expected, but you must be a strong swimmer. </p>

<p>Mountain Biking
Mountain Biking Trips are based at a cabin in the Dartmouth College Grant, a 27,000 acre wilderness area in northern New Hampshire. Most biking will not be single-track riding; you will take advantage of an extensive network of logging roads that stretch for miles. </p>

<p>Nature Painting
Outdoor Watercolor Painting Trips are a chance for those of you with an interest in art to spend a few days living in some of the most scenic landscapes of Northern New England. Student-leaders will guide you in day hikes and watercolor techniques. Basic watercolor supplies will be provided.</p>

<p>Nature Photography
Nature Photography Trips provide a great opportunity for those of you with your own camera and an interest in photography to explore and photograph New Hampshire’s White Mountains. You will stay in the DOC’s Billings Lodge, located near the Presidential range, and you will take day hikes into the mountains guided by student-leaders with a background in photography. The difficulty of the hikes will be easy to moderate. If you don’t have much hiking experience and enjoy photography, this is the trip for you!</p>

<p>Nature Writing
Nature and Writing Trips Are led by students with a background in writing about nature. You’ll stay in one of the DOC’s cabins, and explore the area through day hikes and pleasure walks. Then you’ll be invited to use your surroundings as inspiration for creative writing. You can write, share, and discuss as much or as little as you want.</p>

<p>Organic Farming
Organic Farming Trips involve a leisurely canoe followed by a two day stay at Dartmouth’s very own Organic Farm. At the farm you will learn the basics of organic farming while helping out during the peak of harvest season. The farm’s location on the bank of the Connecticut River makes it an ideal location for swimming and enjoying the river. Organic farmers are guaranteed to have a good time and eat like royalty.</p>

<p>Road Biking
Road Biking Trips travel from Dartmouth College up to the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge on scenic roads in both New Hampshire and Vermont, through the Connecticut River Valley and the White Mountains. This </p>

<p>Trailwork
Trailwork Trips are based in the Dartmouth College Grant, a 27,000 acre wilderness area in northern New Hampshire. In addition to hiking, time is spent building new trails and repairing/clearing old ones. </p>

<p><a href=“First Year Trips”>First Year Trips;