First-year students get active start on college life, student leadership with LOOP program

First-year students get active start on college life, student leadership with LOOP programJuly 12, 2006Carol K. Masiclatclkim@syr.edu

Incoming first-year students at SU have a fun and exciting way to meet and make lasting connections with their classmates when they sign up for the Leadership Outdoor Orientation Program (LOOP). In its second year, LOOP is a pre-orientation program designed to give incoming first years a jump start on their college experience by acquainting them with programs, services and student organizations at SU. Over the course of three days, students engage in whitewater rafting, ropes courses, kayaking or canoeing, hiking and a variety of team-building exercises with classmates and Fall 2006 orientation leaders.

“The LOOP is a great way for students to get to know some of their fellow classmates before the start of school in a unique learning environment,” says Scott Catucci, assistant director of Recreation Services. “The adventure activities such as whitewater rafting and the ropes course give students a chance to form bonds of camaraderie that may evolve into lasting friendships throughout the course of their time at Syracuse University and beyond.”

The program will start on the evening of Aug. 20, when participants gather to become acquainted with one another through introduction exercises and ice breaking activities. The adventure begins the following day, with whitewater rafting on the Black River in Watertown. Participants will stay at the rustic Oswegatchie Education Center in the Adirondack Park, where they will tackle the TEAM Challenge High and Low Ropes Course. Students will work together to cross the 30-foot-high wood plank bridge and will speed down the 150-foot zip line with the help of experienced ropes course facilitators. The next day, students will explore the lakes, streams and trails of the surrounding grounds and embark on a canoeing or kayaking excursion.

The program will close on Aug. 23 with an ice cream social on the steps of Hendricks Chapel. Students will continue on to their regularly scheduled orientation activities having formed new friendships and memories of a wonderful bonding experience.

The cost of the program is $260 and includes food, beverages, lodging, transportation to and from activity locations, and all activity expenses. Registration for the LOOP can be accomplished online at http://orientation.syr.edu. For more information on the LOOP or the Outdoor Education Program, contact Scott Catucci at 443-0290 or sacatucc@syr.edu, or visit http://outdoored.syr.edu.