Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put my stuff in my room before I go on my trip?

Absolutely. You can move your stuff into your room on Friday when you arrive and you'll stay there for the first two nights and the last night of AA. You won't have time to completely set up all your stuff, but there's plenty of time for that the day after AA is over. Want a closer look at the schedule?

My parents want to come a day early. Can I move into my room then?

Sorry, no. Rooms are used for summer programs and may not have been prepared for you by then. If you're flying in from Nepal or Scotland, then we can make an exception, but not New Jersey. We have to be strict on this.


Is the Parent Orientation the same at the beginning of AA as it is a week later at the start of 'regular' orientation?

Yes, there will be a full orientation meeting for parents, hosted by the President, Dean of Students, Director of Counselling and representatives from the faculty. There will also be a welcome and reception with the President.
 

I've never camped out in the woods before. Are there lions and spiders and bears (oh, my!)?

Lots of people go on AA who have never done this kind of stuff before (about 25% of participants, in fact, and most of the rest haven't done much more). There are experienced leaders and probably some others in your group who will be happy to show you how to do things. Most of the trips are designed with beginners in mind. (More information on the Adirondack region.). There are no lions, less spiders than live in your house but, we suspect, more live bears. Did you know that there has NEVER been anyone killed by a bear in the Adirondacks since anyone started counting, and the only attacks have been on people foolish enough to be deliberately feeding a bear? You'll be fine.

I've heard that AA is really popular? What's up with this deadline and lottery thing?

AA is, in fact, really popular, but we've worked hard over the last few years to add more trips so that everyone can go. If you get your registration in before the deadline, you stand a very, very good chance of going on a trip. We DO NOT work on a first-come first-served basis, as this discriminates against international students, people who live away from where we send mail (boarding school, two households, etc.) and those accepted later than others.

I hear you have to poop in a hole?

Possibly. While most campsites have outhouses (a wooden structure with a door, toilet paper etc.), some do not. You should come prepared to dig a hole and poop in it. We're committed to low impact use of the environment and practice "Leave No Trace" camping skills. Don't worry, we'll teach you! (More information on Leave No Trace camping.) Some trips like Community Service, and the Basecamp Adventure will be based at campsites with flush toilets (oh the humanity!).

You need to be here between 10am and 3pm on Friday 14 August. The program ends on Friday 21 August which is the day before regular orientation begins. The cost is $430, which includes food, group equipment, transport, organic cotton T-shirt and one year's membership to the Hamilton Outing Club.

What's the food like?

Yum! Typical food while out on your trip will be oatmeal, bagels or cereal for breakfast; and bagels, cheese, PB&J, GORP (trail mix) and fruit for lunch. Dinners are usually of the one- or two-pot variety: pasta and sauce, burritos, etc. We always bring plenty. Of course, there's always the infamous no-bake cheesecake to follow, and some trips have their own tradition of other remarkable desserts. Plus there's hot chocolate, cupasoup or some other hot concoction to get you going. (Did we mention marshmallows? You never know!) .

SLIDESHOW