[Michael Rymell]

Hello!

We do a similar event with our Orientations at the end of their first night, providing some activities where they can hang out for a few hours.? Generally we help with the planning and setup and then let the Orientation Counselors run the show. We don’t offer food anymore as the students are usually coming over after dinner but we do run the concessions stand with drinks, popcorn, snacks, etc.? As far as activities go we change the offerings from year to year depending on price/availability, but there are a few things that are big hits so we keep fitting them in;

CROWD FAVS;? Silent Disco (always a hit), Karaoke (Super easy to pull off and the OC’s make sure there isn’t a dull moment), Photo Booth (we have our Marketing team create custom backgrounds/borders just for Orientation), Custom Heat Press item (Marketing creates different designs the students can pick from, Last year we did Penants but you could easily do mugs/road signs/dry erase/etc.), Chill space ( a room away from all the large group events with things like board games, giant connect 4, Nintendo Switch/Xbox consoles)

PAST ACTIVITIES; Glow-Cade (Just make sure they charge the batteries first!), Mini Golf (Blacklight adds a fun twist), Outdoor movies w/ a Smores pit (Collaboration w/ outdoor programs, just watch out for rain!), DIY Craft (paint a flower pot w/ a succulent/cross stitch kit/ Bob Ross style paint along/ etc.)

Hope that helps!

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Michael Rymell
Senior Associate Director for Operations (DCA)
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee NC
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-27-2023 11:54
From: James Contratto
Subject: Orientation Activities

Hello everyone, 

I’m looking to see what you all do for Orientation programming. We have an Orientation After Dark component where towards the end of night one the students leave their parents and come to our Student Center for activities and fellowship. It’s been a while since I’ve programmed this type of event so I wanted to see what others are doing to engage students as they wind down from their orientation day. 

Thanks in advance for your insights! 

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James Contratto
Executive Director for Student Involvement
College of Charleston
Charleston SC
contrattoj@cofc.edu
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