COOT Trip Leader Preference Form

Of the following trip choices, please indicate the four you would most enjoy leading (selecting at least one trip from the Classic Outdoors category). Try to choose trips from a variety of categories while keeping in mind your own personal skill set and interests (e.g. 1. Backpack, 2. Rock Climb, 3. Trailwork, 4. Challenge Course)*.

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*Grey indicates trips that have been newly added within the last few years.

**See reverse for descriptions of each category and specific trips

COOT Trip Category Descriptions & Leader Qualifications

Classic Outdoors

In 1975, the first Colby Outdoor Orientation trip took 15 first-year students to Mt. Katahdin—Maine’s highest peak. Two upper-class student leaders and a philosophy professor led this first trip. Since then, COOT has been an integral part of the Colby Orientation program. These traditional trips include journeys in some of Maine’s most wild and scenic mountains, forests and waterways.

Backpack

These trips are well suited to students that are comfortable in the outdoors and that have hiking or backpacking experience. Beginners who are comfortable in remote settings are welcome. Located on various sections of the famous Appalachian Trail as well as the western portion of the newly designed Grafton Loop Trail, leaders and participants alike will enjoy leaving the car behind as they backpack from campsite to campsite each night. Many of these trips enjoy a time-honored “cross-COOT2” experience—meeting up with another COOT2 group heading in the opposite direction on trail.

Leader notes: Hiking or backpacking experience preferred but not necessary. Beginners who are comfortable in remote settings are encouraged to express interest in these trips and will be paired accordingly with a more experienced co-leader. Exertion ratings range from moderate to strenuous.

Canoe

These trips range from open water paddling on Upper Richardson Lake and Flagstaff to moving water on the Kennebec River. A classic Maine outdoor experience! Options include backcountry trips that paddle from campsite to campsite each night to frontcountry basecamp with hiking options.

Leader notes: Personal canoe experience is required though leadership experience on water is not. All canoe trip leaders will be required to return for an overnight, on-water training trip starting Friday, August 20th and ending Saturday, August 21st. This professional development opportunity is intended to hone paddling technique and to help leaders learn strategies and tools for teaching paddling to others, learn and apply on-water group management skills and develop an understanding of basic rescue techniques.

Basecamp

Mt. Katahdin, Acadia National Park, Tumbledown Mountain in Mt. Blue State Park. Camp (or stay in cabins) and explore some of Maine’s true treasures. Also, discover some of its best kept secrets such as the Cutler Coast, Gulf Hagas and more!

Leader notes: These trips are suitable for leaders from beginner to highly experienced. Classic trips “make home” at one site and explore throughout the course of the trip whether hiking, site-seeing or beach-hopping. These trips typically have access to more modern amenities than other Classic trips with a few exceptions such as Gulf Hagas.

Specialty Outdoors

These trips introduce participants to a range of more specialized outdoor activities. Experience raging waters, scale high cliffs above the sea, cycle along scenic country roads! Unique experiences; once-in-a-lifetime memories!

Leader notes: All with the exception of Cycling and Fish/Canoe are guided. Cycling requires knowledge and experience with road biking. Fish/Canoe qualifies as a canoe trip and, therefore, requires the additional pre-training experience from Friday, August 20th – Saturday, August 21st. Fishing knowledge and experience is also helpful. Whitewater Rafting and Sea Kayaking require strong swimming abilities. Paddling experience is helpful but not required. Rock Climbing candidates should have some experience with rock climbing and have a good working knowledge of tie-in knots and belay technique.

Arts

Music, painting, photography and a first-hand experience in the making of “reality” film! Trips focusing on the arts allow participants a taste of the fine arts in pristine settings which are guaranteed to spark creative inspiration! All arts trips are basecamp trips—some based out of cabins with modern amenities.

Leader notes: An interest in the arts is a must. Painting and photography trips will enjoy the company of a guest instructor or faculty member who will facilitate the artistic component of the trip.

Environment & Civic Engagement

Leader notes: Trailwork trips partner with professional and volunteer trail crew members. Previous trail crew experience is not required but a willingness to work hard and ability to motivate the group are essential. Sustainability trips are offered in conjunction with The Chewonki Foundation. No particular expertise is required but an interest in sustainability issues is key. Organic Farm Stay trips are hosted by local organic farms who will help to facilitate the experience. Farming experience is not required but a willingness to “get one’s hands dirty” and ability to motivate others to do the same is important. We will be partnering with a formal agency to provide a hands-on service learning experience on Civic Engagement trips. Partner to be announced. No experience necessary.

Wellness

Leader notes: All Wellness trips will enjoy the company of a guest instructor or faculty member(s) who will facilitate portions of the experience (e.g. teach yoga classes, guide meditation experiences). Leaders should have a genuine interest in wellness and holistic health in general. No experience required. All trips will be frontcountry, based out of cabins with modern amenities.

Close-to-Home Adventures

These trips provide participants with an alternative to the more traditional COOT experience. Taking place close to campus these trips will be based out of cabins or other dwellings with modern amenities. Becoming acquainted with “wild” places right in Colby’s backyard will be the focus of these highly engaging trips.

Leader notes: A genuine interest in providing a meaningful experience for students who may be somewhat nervous or hesitant about the outdoors. Strong interpersonal skills and a contagious sense of enthusiasm will be key qualifications for leaders on these trips. Challenge course experiences will be facilitated by challenge course professionals. Local exploration trips will be fully led by COOTleaders but may involve interaction with a variety of local entities.