TWO Pre-Orientation
First… A note from the coordinators
Hello new Jumbos!! We are thrilled to give you a warm, enthusiastic welcome to Tufts! Our thoughts are with you as we hope everyone is staying healthy and safe. We recognize that with everything going on right now, it can be both exciting and daunting to look to the fall, but we wanted to give you a little preview of Tufts Wilderness Orientation (TWO)! Hopefully this blog post will answer your most burning questions :)
Best,
Danny, Lucy, and Tucker
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What is Tufts Wilderness Orientation?
TWO is a pre-orientation program designed to give a warm welcome to incoming students by building community from day one. The program allows first-years to get to know their peers as well as upperclassmen role models during an exciting outdoor adventure. Before orientation week begins in August, we will send approximately 300 first-year students on 5-day outdoor trips in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, which may include car-camping, backpacking, canoeing, hybrid, or trail crew trips. Each individual trip consists of 8-10 new students and 2 leaders. TWO is run by volunteer Leaders and Support Staff who are current Tufts students with extensive interpersonal and technical training (more on that later) and a passion for facilitating a positive college transition!
What is Tufts Wilderness Orientation?
TWO is a pre-orientation program designed to give a warm welcome to incoming students by building community from day one. The program allows first-years to get to know their peers as well as upperclassmen role models during an exciting outdoor adventure. Before orientation week begins in August, we will send approximately 300 first-year students on 5-day outdoor trips in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, which may include car-camping, backpacking, canoeing, hybrid, or trail crew trips. Each individual trip consists of 8-10 new students and 2 leaders. TWO is run by volunteer Leaders and Support Staff who are current Tufts students with extensive interpersonal and technical training (more on that later) and a passion for facilitating a positive college transition!
Who are the TWO leaders?
TWO is led by current Tufts students, usually juniors and seniors, who are dedicated to the first year experience. We have about 70 leaders from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, and everyone is extremely well prepared to take on the responsibilities of a trip leader. In addition to spring trainings (which we have been conducting via Zoom this year!), our leaders arrive to campus two weeks before pre-orientation begins to learn backcountry technical skills, review medical scenarios, and undergo interpersonal training. Our leaders receive CPR and Wilderness First Aid training as well as training from on campus organizations to be able to connect students to suitable resources.
Support Staff, a group of largely first-time staff from different grades, is another integral part of our TWO staff. This group undergoes the same training as leaders, but serves more as the logistical backbone of the program, prepping supplies and hiking into groups with resources as needed. Every one of our staff members is heavily vetted through applications, interviews, and trainings, and they are all so excited to meet you!
Why should you sign up for TWO?
TWO is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to meet and get to know a small group of new students and current students in the outdoors. Being outside in an intimate setting will give you the chance to step away from the chaos of the college transition and challenge yourself to go outside your comfort zone. Whether you already love spending time in the outdoors or you want to try out an outdoor activity in a low-risk, inclusive, and fun setting then we highly encourage you to sign up - you will not regret it!
