A. Yes, you need a physical evaluation prior to attendance at Colby College. It needs to have taken place within one year of your arrival at Colby. For varsity athletes, within six months. Please contact the Colby Health Center with any questions or concerns at: (207) 859-4460. The Health and Immunization Forms can be found on the website at: http://www.colby.edu/administration_cs/healthservices/other.cfm. The deadline for submission of these forms is July 15th.
A. You can register for your COOT trip beginning on Friday, July 15th. Please keep in mind that trips fill quickly so it is best to register sooner rather than later. August 1st is the deadline for COOT registration.
A. The COOT trip is an integral part of the Colby Orientation Program and all students participate. If an injury or illness prevents participation on your assigned trip, please contact COOT Coordinators Becky Newman and Julia Knoeff at coot@colby.edu as soon as possible. In most cases, we will be able to place you on a less strenuous trip so that you may still have a COOT experience.
A. You will be notified of your trip placement in early August.
A. Please keep in mind that trips fill on a first-come, first-serve basis and with consideration for preference, relevant experience and preparedness as well as the availability of seats (to keep groups intimate in size and to minimize impact on natural resources all trips have a seat limit, some smaller than others). It is important to bear in mind that you may not receive your top choice trip(s). Rest assured, all COOT trips are designed to be engaging and we will work our hardest to place you on a trip that seems well suited to your interests and needs even if it is not one of your top choices.
A. A trip-specific packing list will be sent with your trip placement confirmation letter. If you have any questions or concerns about the packing list upon receipt, please do not hesitate to contact COOT Coordinators Becky Newman and Julia Knoeff at coot@colby.edu.
Students are responsible for providing the equipment and personal gear indicated on the trip-specific packing list. Colby College maintains a limited inventory of equipment and personal gear for lending on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you think you will need to borrow equipment or personal gear for your trip.
A. The COOT trip takes place within the larger context of the Class of 2015 Orientation. Orientation begins on Tuesday, August 30th. COOT trips depart on Friday, September 2nd and return to campus on Sunday, September 4th.
Please refer to the Orientation website for a fully detailed schedule that runs through the first day of classes on Wednesday, September 7th: http://www.colby.edu/administration_cs/studentactivities/orientation/orientation.cfm
A. The Office of Campus Life insists that you have the ability to swim if you participate in any of the water-based COOT trips. The COOT program requires that personal flotation devices be worn at all times while paddling on the waters of the state of Maine.
A. No. The fee for COOT is $275.00 and will be charged to your student account. Financial aid is available. Please contact Student Financial Services for additional information.
A. We try to provide a variety of food options for COOT trips. However, if you have allergies or specific dietary restrictions this should be indicated on your COOT registration form.
A. Please list all medications, including inhalers, on your COOT registration form. If you have a prescription for something that is not listed on your COOT registration form, please bring a note from your doctor with you to campus.
A. Our leaders undergo a competitive selection process and must successfully complete all training requirements to be considered an outdoor orientation leader. Training components include, but are not limited to:
- Wilderness First Aid and CPR
- Leave No Trace Wilderness Ethics
- Map & Compass
- Adventure Leadership & Facilitation Skills
- Accepted Field Practices & Risk Management Techniques
In addition, canoe trip leaders participate in an additional two-day canoe instructor clinic.
A. You will have the opportunity to meet and interact with your COOT leaders throughout the course of the Class of 2015 Orientation program—as well as the entire orientation team comprised of faculty, staff, administrators, community members and a wide range of student leaders.
A. All electronics--with the exception of digital cameras--are to remain on campus for the duration of the trip. Additionally, any other personal items of substantial value that have the potential to get destroyed or lost in the wilderness or present an opportunity for theft if left in college vehicles should remain on campus.
