A group of incoming freshmen are taking part in Adventures in Leadership July 21-26, a variety of outdoor activities designed to help them meet other new students and get a jump start on their college careers. Details...
Offered during two weeks in July, Adventures in Leadership is open to all incoming students on a first-come, first-served basis. Twenty-four new students are taking part in the program July 21-26, while 27 students participated in the first session, held July 14-19.
Students participate in hiking, camping, group initiatives, climbing, rappelling and whitewater rafting. By working together, the freshmen have a chance to meet other new students, develop leadership skills, and develop a better sense of the spirit of community at Elon.
Students took part in activities on campus July 21-22, before departing for a two-day whitewater rafting trip on the New River in West Virginia. During the week, the students hike, rappel and learn about the history, geography and habitat of the New River Gorge.
Brigid McCauley, an incoming freshman from Marblehead, Mass., said this week’s activities will help her transition to her first year at Elon.
“I want to be able to meet more people and have a heads-up about campus life,” McCauley says. “Leadership activities were a big part of my high school experience, so for me, a week like this is really exciting.”
Doug Andrews of Pinehurst, N.C., says spending a week in Adventures in Leadership could serve as a springboard for his involvement in campus activities.
“It definitely is a possibility that this will get me more interested in doing things like working with the outdoors club or other organizations,” says Andrews. “It’s also nice to do something like this, because you get a feel for how people interact here.”
Adventures in Leadership began in 1993. A total of 51 freshmen took part in this summer’s program, representing all parts of the US, including a student from Alaska. The groups are led by six upperclass student facilitators and a student coordinator. These leaders were chosen in January and have participated in training since February.
Elon freshmen report to campus Friday, Aug. 22. Freshman convocation is Saturday, Aug. 23, and the first day of classes is Tuesday, Aug. 26.