#outdoor program

Day one of the Explorer orientation group that I lead consisted of orienteering around campus (even to some places that I didn’t know existed until a few days ago!), rock climbing at the Smith wall, and kayaking around Paradise Pond and down the Mill River. Our group of first years was incredible and weather couldn’t have been more beautiful. We ended up having a little extra time and my co-leader and I took the first years around the paths behind Smith’s campus and to the gratitude flags, which is a really beautiful and special spot in Northampton.

My first three days back on campus were spent doing a final round of training for leading the outdoor adventure orientation groups. My group, Explorer, was scheduled to do a range of activities: rock climbing, kayaking, orienteering, and hiking. Our training consisted of learning how to teach climbing, kayaking, and orienteering; reviewing our Wilderness First Aid (WFA) training from Spring semester; and scoping out our hike on Mt. Tom (the view was breathtaking). 

With the better weather around the corner, we are announcing a great new program, our Nature Based Outdoor Program. The outdoor provides endless sensory and motor challenges. With our therapists guidance and encouragement, children will be able to explore the great outdoors!

Are you an alum and looking to get published? Send us an email at [email protected] and we will tell you how! goo.gl/8rPZn1

Hi there! Yes, I will be leading the “Explore” orientation group and I’m super excited about it! Orientation sign up is first come first serve. You’ll get an email about it and you sign up at a certain date/time some time in July. Some groups fill up really quickly so to be sure you get into your top choice you should register as soon as it opens (I think it was like 9AM for us last year, but just follow the email). My first choice was the rock climbing group, but it only had 10 slots so I didn’t get in, but I still had an amazing time in my AT I group. You can’t really go wrong with any of the outdoor orientation groups. As someone who’s been training to be a leader all semester, I can tell you that all the groups are led by amazing Smithies who can’t wait to get outdoors with y’all :) 

Photos by: Rachel Sexton

Photos by: Rachel Sexton