Orientation Step 2: Oredigger Camp
Oredigger Camp
Get off to a great start
The start of your first year of college can be daunting—it’s a new environment full of new experiences, new expectations, new people and, for most freshmen, even a new bed. But this year at Colorado School of Mines, a group of incoming students will have a leg up over freshmen of years past, thanks to the new tradition Oredigger Camp.
A few weeks before the start of classes, more than 600 first-year student get to spend 2 ½ days up in the Rocky Mountains, having fun, making friends and getting an introduction to what it means to be an Oredigger.
In 2018, there are three sessions of camp will be held July 30-Aug.1, Aug 1-Aug 3 and Aug. 3-5 at YMCA of the Rockies, in Estes Park. Based on our previous results the impact was clear well before the last group of students loaded onto the bus back to Golden.
Encouraging vertical connections between current and incoming Mines students is at the heart of Oredigger Camp’s design. Peer mentors led nearly every activity at camp, with Johnson giving some opening remarks and then stepping back, joining students for meals, impromptu conversations and the occasional pickup game.
Oredigger Camp Highlights
Day 1: Arriving at Oredigger Camp shortly before lunchtime, students spend most of tackling team-building activities—low ropes, tug-of-war and more.
Day 2: Starts bright and early with self-reflection and goal setting. Later, during free time, students soared through the mountain air on zip lines while others jumped in on pickup games of volleyball, 9 Square and Gaga Ball.
Engineering challenges got students thinking and working together. In one task, small groups build a basket out of plastic drinking straws and tape that could protect an egg when dropped from the top of a ladder. In another, larger groups are handed three rolls of duct tape and the challenge of taping someone to the wall. The group whose student stayed stuck the longest won.
REGISTER Now:
7/30/8/1: https://apply.mines.edu/register/Oredigger_Camp_1
Camp FAQs 2018
- What is Oredigger Camp?
- What do we do at Oredigger Camp?
- How Long is Oredigger Camp?
- Who runs Oredigger Camp?
- Where is Oredigger Camp?
- What is provided if I attend?
- When is registration?
- Where do I pay?
- Extra for out of area students?
- What to bring?
- I live near Fairplay, can I check-in at camp?
Oredigger Camp is a brand new program designed to foster connections between incoming students and to current Mines students, faculty and staff. This is the second year for Oredigger Camp and will be a unique experience and opportunity for first year students to help solidify a tradition that will be present for years to come.
What do we do at Oredigger Camp?
Oredigger Camp will be a combination of engineering related small group challenges, team builders, and curriculum based around self-development and leadership. This will be built around other camp style activities such as zip line, ropes course, bonfires, and other outdoor activities.
Oredigger Camp is a 2.5 Day Camp.
It begins at 8 am on day one (on campus) and ends at 1:30 pm (2.5 days later on campus)
Oredigger Camp is a joint venture between New Student & Transition Services and Student Activities, Involvement, and Leadership. Just like the rest of our Orientation programs, Oredigger Camp will be led by a highly trained Camp Counselor Staff. Camp Counselors are some of our most successful and involved students on campus and are a great resource for students throughout their career.
YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park CO
Transportation to and from the camp is provided. Lodging at camp is provided. Food is provided (Lunch on day one to lunch on day 2.5). Unfortunately, due to the nature of the camp, we are unable to accommodate special dietary issues. For this reason, if you require something specific to you, we recommend bringing snacks or separate food. A refrigerator is available at camp.
Lodging will be in rooms of 5, folks will sleep in bunk beds. Please note that bedding IS provided. (Linens and towels included)
When is registration? (step 1)
Registration for 2018 will begin March 9th
Where do I pay? Once I’ve registered (remember this is step 2 to registration)
commerce.cashnet.com/stuact: on this page, click STUACT-STACT on the right-hand side. From there, select the date of your camp session.
What about out of area students?
Please contact us to see if arrangements are available.
There are also shuttles available to and from the airport with special Mines rates. Information on transportation to and from the airport can be found here.
Please read our full participant handbook.
Here are some suggestions:
Flashlight
Clothing for a two-night/three-day trip
Jacket or sweatshirt
Rain gear like a rain jacket or umbrella
Tennis shoes (there will be walking)
Bath/personal supplies (you may wish to bring shower shoes)
Sun screen
Lip balm
Any medications (including over the counter pain relievers/allergy medicines)
Please leave your iPods, iPads, tablets, etc. at home. There is very limited cell phone service, and students are instructed to leave them in cabins during activities.
Mines is a tobacco-free campus. Smoking is also prohibited at Oredigger Camp (including e-cigarettes). Please leave these items at home.
I live near Estes Park can I check-in at camp?
Exemptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for those who live near Estes Park or the surrounding area. Please send your request to newstudent@mines.edu. Include the student’s name, CWID ID number, and the session # the student is confirmed for. Please make all requests at least 2 weeks in advance.