Freshmen participate in adventure outings

Hiking, rappelling and whitewater rafting are just some of the experiences incoming Elon freshmen are sharing this summer. Details...

Incoming Elon freshmen are getting a jump on their first year of college by participating in one of three “adventure” trips, sponsored by the offices of New Student Orientation, Leadership and Organization Development, and Campus Recreation. This is the 10th year Elon has offered a summer experience for incoming freshmen.

A total of 71 freshmen took part in the trips. An environmental trip from July 8-13 took students to Luray, Va., where they participated in trail cleanup and reconstruction, as well as trail hiking. Derek Luther, coordinator of new student orientation, and a student coordinator joined the freshmen.

Other freshmen took part in two leadership trips to the mountains of West Virginia July 15-20 and July 22-27. The group had an opportunity to learn about their own leadership abilities through outdoor activities such as rock climbing and rappelling, as well as a personality inventory and small group workshops. Two days of whitewater rafting on the New River closed out the trip.

“Everyone should experience this trip,” says Sarah Murphy, an incoming freshman from St. Clairsville, Ohio. “I think it will really help all students coming into Elon feel more comfortable and have a chance to get to know people.”