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It’s that time of year again. Cars with license plates from states across the country roam the campus searching for parking spots, and students who graduated from high school only a few months ago are rolling up with all their luggage. A class of 485 first-year students are ready to take the first step into their college experience: orientation.

While most underclassmen left campus after their final exams, a group of 69 students stayed around to take part in Orientation Leader training. The students will be among those leading Adirondack (AA), Outreach (OA), and Exploration Adventure (XA) trips for members of the class of 2022 in August.

Hamilton was well represented at the recent Northeast Regional Association for Experiential Education conference. The three-day event featured workshops, speakers, and events relevant to outdoor and experiential educators.

Helena Grant ‘03 traveled 10 miles in sub zero temperatures during her first backcountry ski expedition. Her travels have been broadcast nationally by NPR and NCPR.

While incoming first-year students may have to wait until August for Orientation, the excitement has already begun for some of Hamilton’s current students. Every year, new and returning leaders for each of Hamilton’s three orientation programs stay on campus for May training. Largely student driven, past leaders mentor the next generation of student leaders during the week after final exams. Although they may not know who their incoming first-year participants may be, next fall's leaders use this week to hone their leadership skills and get a taste for their respective programs.

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.

Visiting Assistant Professor of English and Creative Writing Janelle Schwartz ’97 and Director of Outdoor Leadership Andrew Jillings were invited to attend Adirondack Day on April 27 at the New York State Legislative Office Building in Albany, N.Y.

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.

The first lecture of Professor Brent Rodriguez-Plate’s new course, Religion in the Wild, took place far from its home base in Root Hall.

Students in Writing 111, Adventure Writing, got to experience snow a little early when they climbed Blue Mountain in the Adirondacks on Oct. 26.