Colby Outdoor Orientation Trips

In the fall of 1975, the first Colby Outdoor Orientation Trip (COOT) 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 and many trips are available for students. Trips that resemble the original trip are available as well as other trips that focus on experiences such as theater, photography, civic engagement and engaging human difference are available. Beginning in 2007, the COOT experience is one which all first-year students participate. In 2008, the incoming class participated in 53 trips led by 114 upper-class students.

Since 1975 this college-run program has helped over 12,000 first year students navigate the woods and waters of Maine and the corridors and classrooms of Colby College. This program is managed by administrative staff with significant assistance and collaboration from numerous student leaders. Our collective goal is to provide an outstanding outdoor experience and combine this with an on-going mentoring presence on campus. All of our leaders must first successfully complete all training requirements to be considered an outdoor orientation leader.

Please be sure that you complete both the health form and the immunization form and fax or mail these to the Colby Health Center as soon as you know you have been accepted. As a reminder, you will not be able to attend Colby without these forms being on file. Our experience shows that early submission of all forms will ease transition concerns for both students and parents. Links to the necessary forms can be found on the health center web-site as well as on the COOT Registration Form.

If you are under the age of 18, the parent permission form (PDF) will also need to be completed and submitted with the health and immunization forms.