Journals

What AA means at Hamilton

February 17, 2012   

Adirondack Adventure (abbreviated as AA) is a pre-orientation program at Hamilton in which incoming students go on an eight-day expedition to the Adirondacks. It’s voluntary and about half of the freshman class participates each year. I would highly recommend the program. Even after three and a half semesters, a good portion of my closest friends are people I met on AA. 

There are tons of trips to choose from: you can go hiking, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, or a combination of these. The trips have different difficulties so if you’re new to the outdoors you can go on a beginner trip, or if you’re a seasoned Adirondacker you can try your hand at some intense hiking or rock climbing trips.

The trip I went on is called Cranberry Lake Backpack. It was a combination trip in which we hiked in to Cranberry Lake then canoed and camped on the lake. I had a blast and met some wonderful people, most of whom are still my good friends. It’s a great opportunity to get to meet a solid group of other incoming students before regular orientation even begins. If I had one recommendation for incoming students it would be to do AA. It’s the kind of experience you will never forget and it is a painless, exciting transition into college.

I would definitely check out Adirondack Adventure’s website if you have time. It provides a lot of good information, some cool pictures, and a good sense of what the program is all about.

http://www.hamilton.edu/adventure/adirondack-adventure