Programs, in conjunction with the Outing Club, has begun preliminary preparations for an outdoor orientation program it hopes to begin in the fall of 2004.

According to Director of Campus Programs Brian Wagner, the program would last four to five days and would occur prior to the start of regular new student orientation in August. Outward Bound paid staff would lead the trips, which could include such options as hiking or canoeing. Wagner said destinations for the trips have yet to be determined.

Another possible option, not affiliated with Outward Bound, would be a community service project with a non-profit organization in the Twin Cities. Wagner said he hopes that at least one student, staff or faculty member will accompany each trip.

Funding for the program would come from a $5,000 endowment given by alumnus John P. Stevens in 1965 to encourage students to go on Outward Bound initiatives. “We’re allowed to utilize the interest on the fund,” Wagner said. “This amounts to about $2,000 per year and the money has built up over the years because of a lack of interest in other outdoor trips we offered.”

In the past, Macalester used the fund to sponsor a mushing trip during Spring Break, but Wagner said this produced little student interest.

A gift from the Dewitt Wallace Foundation would provide additional funding.

“There are only a limited number of times during the year when outdoor trips are possible because of the climate” Wagner said. “We offered a mushing trip during Spring Break, but it was not really what students were looking for, so we looked at other options.”

The idea of a pre-orientation trip for first-years resulted from both student opinions and programs offered at other schools. “In looking at options, I’ve talked to people at Carleton, Pomona and Dartmouth, who have been doing this since 1920,” Wagner said. “I’ve been working with the Outing Club. We’ve talked about it for a little more than a year.”

Alison Nieber ’05, one of the students in charge of the Outing Club, said she is excited about the possibility of an outdoor orientation trip. “I think it’s a great experience for first-years to get to know each other in a relaxed environment,” she said. “I have a friend at a different school who participated in one and liked it a lot.”

Anika Taylor ’06 has also been involved in planning the program. “My roommate and I were talking and we thought this was something that sounded cool and would fit in well at Macalester,” she said. “ A lot of schools have strong outdoor orientation programs and people say its one of the best parts of orientation. I think there are a lot of people who would really like it and benefit from it.”

Next fall will serve as a pilot year for the program. “We want this to be a good experience,” Wagner said. “Next year we’ll look at how the program goes and hopefully we’ll continue to offer it in the future.”

The first official planning meeting for the program between Wagner and students involved with planning will occur next week and Wagner said student input is welcome. “In general, if people are interested, we’re still creating the program. We welcome suggestions.”