Not your idea of a good time? Think again.
"I can't even begin to tell you how much fun it was," said Liz Schroth. "We were laughing so hard we didn't care what was going on around us."
Liz was one of 160 incoming Hamilton students who began orientation eight days early to participate in Adirondack Adventure, an outdoor program designed to acclimate students to college life. In small groups, students and their leaders participate in one of 18 trips, ranging from mountain biking to hiking to sea kayaking in New York's largest state park.
The activities are designed to develop a heightened sense of self-awareness and confidence, as well as to promote cooperation, communication and problem-solving skills. Together in a naturally beautiful setting, students learn about college life, their peers and themselves and begin to see how it all fits together. "We talked candidly about life in general, who we are and our goals. Sitting around a campfire and sharing your thoughts is so much different than meeting people at a party," Liz said.
Trips of varying difficulty levels are designed to match the physical capabilities of all students. After a day on campus participating in team-building activities, the groups of about 10 students travel along a set itinerary, observing wildlife, pitching their own tents, cooking their meals and carrying their gear. "Even though it happened in the middle of the wilderness, I can't think of a better transition to college," Liz added. "I have a broader range of friends on campus because of the people I met on Adirondack Adventure."
