|
|
|
|
|
Sailing
on a Tallship, Backpacking & Surfing Are Among the
Adventures Offered to Pomona College Freshmen as Way to
Meet Peers Before Classes
|
 |
 To
ease the transition from high school to college, Pomona
College offers its incoming freshmen a variety of exciting
urban and wilderness trips for all level and abilities. The
2003 Orientation Adventure outings, which run from August 24
to 27, include sailing on the tallship American Pride, small
craft sailing along the San Diego coast, canoeing on the
Colorado River, backpacking in the Sierras (ranging from
moderate to very strenuous trips), caving, learning to surf,
exploring Santa Cruz Island or Yosemite National Park,
touring Southern California, and the chance to participate
in several Los Angeles community service projects.
While the activities of each trip differ, the purpose of all
OA trips is to meet other Pomona students, learn about
college life first-hand from student leaders, and become
familiar with the recreational opportunities surrounding
Claremont. Approximately 230 freshman, from an entering
class of 412, have signed-up for the popular four-day
program, which is now in its eighth year.
According to Matt Muller '03, an OA coordinator for the last
three years, "OA is an outstanding opportunity for incoming
students to get to know each other, since it creates a
common experience. When students arrive, they're wondering
'who's going to be my friend?' 'Will they like me?' and 'Are
there people who have my interests?' It's a very low
pressure way to meet people.
"What makes Pomona's OA unique is its diverse range of
offerings," explains Muller. "We are at center of a
recreational paradise, here in Southern California. Students
can backpack to the highest point in the contiguous U.S.,
Mt. Whitney, go to the shore for surfing, tour the city,
sail to islands, go canoeing, or hike into amazing
wilderness where they may not see any other people. Other
orientation programs don't have this kind of access."
Muller began his association with OA on a backpacking
adventure climbing Mt. San Grigornio. "The trip was just
really great and I met people that became long-time friends.
The wilderness adventure takes away any other sort of
interference and is very intense socially. You talk to each
other while hiking, around the campfire and as you pile into
a tent." When students sign-up for a trip, explains Muller,
they're focused on the activity. "But the real heart of OA
is meeting the other people. What students remember later is
the people they met and what they found out about each
other. Really, the activity becomes secondary."
The program is coordinated by Pomona students and recent
alumni in conjunction with the Office of Student Affairs,
and the trips are led by Pomona students, with faculty and
staff joining some trips. Mark Jenike, an associate
professor of anthropology, has participated in four OA
backpacking trips, and this year will join a group on the
ship American Pride. "One of the great things about
including a faculty or staff member," says Jenike, "is that
it lets students' first experience with a faculty or staff
member occur on a personal level. It's someone they've hiked
up a mountain with, instead of someone in a position of
authority. I hope the experience puts them in the mindset to
see faculty as colleagues in their education, instead of
directors of their education, people that they can jointly
discover things with instead of just learn things from, and
maybe, become friends with. That's what make a residential
liberal arts college special."
There are both male and female leaders on each trip, and the
participant-to-leader ratio is approximately 4:1. All
student leaders are certified in Adult CPR and First Aid by
the Red Cross. Many also have Wilderness First Aid
certification, and some have worked as lifeguards or
emergency medical technicians.
Orientation Adventure is coordinated in conjunction with the
Office of Student Affairs by students with experience in
wilderness travel and event planning. Safety procedures and
contingency plans have been developed for all trips. Highly
qualified guides and outfitters are used for many trips, and
all destinations are covered by an extensive network of
safety professionals.
NOTE: More information about Pomona's Orientation Adventure
can be accessed from the program's Website at
http://www.pomona.edu/studentaffairs/oa/
CONTACTS:
Matt Muller, Class of '03
OA Coordinator, OA Office (909) 607-2531
A longtime wilderness enthusiast, Matt Muller grew up at the
foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains and ventured into their
backcountry whenever he had the chance. Before enrolling at
Pomona, Matt spent four years in the Marine Corps, where he
received intensive survival training in terrain ranging from
jungle to desert and earned the highest amphibious
operations certification available at his rank. Matt served
in 14 countries and at sea, ending his tour a U.S. Embassy
Guard in the United Arab Emirates. At Pomona, Matt has
planned trips, trained leaders, and managed the campus
outdoors organization. This is his third year on the OA
staff and, he is responsible for planning and scouting
trips.
Jayk Goyden, Class of fall '03
OA Coordinator, OA Office (909) 607-2531
He developed a fondness for backpacking during his years in
the Boy Scouts in Boise, Idaho. Jayk received the Eagle
award for his scouting achievements and has completed a
National Outdoors Leadership School course in winter
backcountry travel. His hiking experience encompasses
destinations throughout North and Central America. Jayk has
taught Emergency First Responder courses at the Claremont
Colleges for the Red Cross and is certified as an EMT-B. He
plans to upgrade his credential to Wilderness EMT over the
summer and will be training OA leaders in backcountry first
aid.
Liz Redman, Class of '04
OA Coordinator, OA Office (909) 607-2531
Born in Miami, Florida, Liz fell in love with the great
outdoors at a summer camp in backcountry North Carolina. She
returned as a counselor the following year and has been
helping people experience the wilderness ever since. She has
led students on backpacking, canoeing, and rock climbing
trips during her time at Pomona and is one of the campus
outdoors clubs' most active members. |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Follow Our News on... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quick Links |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Explore Pomona's Web |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Find It |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Search |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
