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, a new bed. Get off to great start by making friends and building community at Oredigger Camp!

A few weeks before the start of classes, many first-year and new transfer students will get to spend 2 1/2 days deep in the Rocky Mountains having fun, making friends,  and learning what it means to be an Oredigger. Encouraging vertical connections between current and incoming Mines students is at the heart of Oredigger Camp’s design. Upper-class student Camp Counselors lead nearly every activity at camp, and President Johnson gives some opening remarks and then steps back to join students for meals, impromptu conversations and an occasional pickup game.

2023 Oredigger Camp Session Dates:

Session 1: Monday, July 24 – Wednesday, July 26

  • Open to any incoming first year or transfer undergraduate students
  • Early Arrival Housing – Oredigger Camp Session 1 only
    • We can accommodate out of state/region students (those traveling from 2 or more hours away from Golden) who are attending Oredigger Camp Session1 one night prior to leaving for camp (night of July 23, 2023). Your accommodations include linens, but please bring your own pillow. There is no cost to you, however space is limited and first-come, first-serve. If you are interested in obtaining early arrival housing, please click here. (Note: registration for early arrival housing will not go live until May 16 at 8AM MDT and will close on July 7, 2023 at 5:00pm MDT or once capacity for early arrivals has been reached).

Session 2: Sunday, August 13 –  Tuesday, August 15

  • There will be some spots available for any incoming first year or transfer undergraduate students.
  • If you have applied to a Signature Learning Community through Residence Life and are admitted, you will be required to attend Oredigger Camp Session 2 and you will receive a unique link to register in your SLC acceptance email. If you apply and are not accepted, you will be notified before camp registration opens and you will be able to use the links on this webpage to register for any of the Oredigger Camp Sessions (Please note that general registration is first-come, first-serve).

Session 3: Tuesday, August 15 – Thursday, August 17th 

  • Open to any incoming first year or transfer undergraduate students

Camp Registration:

Registration for 2023 Oredigger Camp sessions will open on Tuesday, May 16th at 8am MDT and the links to register will be made available on this website. Please note that you may only register for one camp session. 

Click here to register for Oredigger Camp Session 1 – July 24-26

Click here to register for Oredigger Camp Session 2 – August 13-15 

Please Note:  Accepted SLC and Challenge students have been emailed a separate link to register. Please DO NOT use the link above if you fall into one of these groups.

Click here to register for Oredigger Camp Session 3- August 15-17

Oredigger Camp Abroad in the Galapagos!

July 30 – August 8, 2023

Registration has reached capacity. Please contact Austin Dyer (adyer@mines.edu) if you are interested in being added to the waitlist. 

Join the Outdoor Recreation Center & the office of New Student & Transition services on the 2nd annual Oredigger Camp Abroad in the Galapagos Islands! You’ll have the opportunity to join other incoming students on this amazing experience while hiking, snorkeling, and exploring Ecuador! You can find the full itinerary for the trip here. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to Austin Dyer, Director of the Outdoor Recreation Center, at adyer@mines.edu. Note: this experience is only for new incoming undergraduate students at Colorado School of Mines. This trip also includes a fair amount of snorkeling and swimming, so please keep that in mind when considering registering.

Interested in other ORC Global Adventures? Click here to learn more!

Camp FAQs

What is Oredigger Camp?

Oredigger Camp is a program designed to foster connections with and across incoming students, current Mines students, faculty, staff and alumni. This is the fifth year for Oredigger Camp and will be a unique experience and opportunity for first year students to help solidify a tradition that will continue 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 hikes, sports, and other outdoor activities.

How long is Oredigger Camp?

Oredigger Camp is a 2.5 Day Camp. It begins with check-in starting at 8 am on day one (on campus) and ends at 1:00 pm (2.5 days later on campus).

Who runs Oredigger Camp?

Oredigger Camp is designed and implemented by the Office of New Student & Transition Services. 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.

Where is Oredigger Camp?

Oredigger Camp in Colorado will take place at the beautiful Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby, Colorado.

What is provided if I attend?

Lodging and food at camp is provided (Lunch on day one to lunch on day 2.5). 

When is registration (step 1)?

Registration will open Monday, May 1, 2023 at 8am Mountain Time.

What to bring?

Please read our full participant handbook that will be emailed in July.

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. 

 

 

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. For those out of state students, we will work with you to gather a group to use an Uber or Lyft for the return trip to the airport to share cost.[/learn_more]