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While traversing the scenic peaks of the Adirondacks or canoeing through quiet backcountry streams, few first-year students are thinking about algorithms and linear optimization. But these mathematical ideas are as much a part of Hamilton orientation trips as any pack or paddle: they ensure that incoming students have the most worthwhile experience possible.

While the Class of 2015 spent Senior Week celebrating their achievements and impending graduation, a dedicated group of students spent their time training in preparation to lead for Hamilton’s three new-student orientation programs: Adirondack Adventure, Outreach Adventure, and Exploration Adventure.

As members of Hamilton’s Class of 2018 prepare to return to campus for Orientation, some of the pre-orientation groups shared photos of their programs as they explored  attractions in Utica and the Adirondacks and learned about bee-keeping and battlegrounds.

Adirondack Adventure, Outreach Adventure and eXploration Adventure Hamilton’s pre-orientation programs for new students, welcomed 283 members of the Class of 2018 on Friday, Aug. 15.

For the past 30 years, Hamilton’s Adirondack Adventure (AA), part of the optional first year pre-orientation program, has helped students grow as individuals and find their place at the College. For those not too keen on “roughing it” through the Adirondacks or across the Finger Lakes, then Outreach Adventure (OA), the community service-oriented program has been a better option since its introduction. The newest pre-orientation program, eXploration Adventure (XA), offers students the opportunity to explore a topic about which they are passionate.

Adirondack Adventure (AA) and Outreach Adventure (OA), Hamilton’s pre-orientation programs for new students, welcomed  308 members of the Class of 2017 on Friday, Aug. 16. This year marks the largest AA/OA participation ever, with 64 percent of first-year students participating in OA and AA.

Members of the class of ’16 are settling in to life on the Hill, classes have begun and the new semester is off and running. One of the members of Hamilton’s newest group of students, Cassidy Dennison ’16, took time to reflect on the value of pre-orientation program Adirondack Adventure in helping students make the adjustment to college life. We started off college with a dangling participle. This may seem regressive to our high school and college education, but it actually furthered our knowledge of ourselves and our group. Our dangling participle was not a grammatical error; it consisted of a rope, two harnesses, two people and total trust. Though slightly intimidating, rock climbing at Chapel Pond in the Keene Valley was one of the best ways to begin college. Adirondack Adventure helps people make friends, try new things, and break free of the initial fears associated with college.

S0me 280 members of the Class of '16 arrived on the Hill on Aug. 17 to prepare for pre-orientation. Adirondack Adventure (AA) and Outreach Adventure (OA) give incoming students the chance to spend a week getting to know their new classmates in an informal setting, interacting on an equal basis and learning something new. The rest of the Class of '16 will arrive on Aug. 25 when new student orientation begins.

Adirondack Adventure (AA) and Outreach Adventure (OA),  Hamilton’s pre-orientation programs for new students, will welcome 283 members – representing 60 percent – of the Class of 2016 on Friday, Aug. 17. This year marks the largest AA/OA participation ever, with 240 first-year students going on AA trips plus 43 taking part in OA.

Adirondack Adventure (AA), Hamilton's eight-day outdoor program for incoming students, and its sister program Outreach Adventure (OA), will welcome members of the class of 2015 on Friday, Aug. 12, for pre-orientation.