General Information

Mission of COOT
The Colby Outdoor Orientation Trips (COOT2) program will provide a safe and positive outdoor experience in Maine for all incoming students to ease the transition into Colby College. During orientation, and throughout a first-year's career at Colby, COOT2 leaders will facilitate an experience that fosters and promotes Colby's values of academia and civic engagement within the greater community.

Goals of COOT2

  1. Connect incoming students with other members of the Colby community to ease the transition into Colby.
  2. Introduce incoming students to the Maine cultural and natural resources.
  3. Provide a wide spectrum of trips that welcome all levels of interest and experience in outdoor activities, civic minded projects, and creative expressions.

The first component of COOT2 is the Colby Outdoor Orientation Trip. It is designed to introduce you to the opportunity and wonders in the state of Maine and to Colby. We offer structured trips to appeal to many levels of experience, from those who desire a casual introduction to Maine to those who are experienced in the outdoors.

The second component of the COOT2 Program is the Colby On-Campus Orientation Team, who you will meet the moment you set foot on campus. The COOT2 group you spend four days getting to know will now become a team to assist you in your transition to campus life with your COOT2 Leaders serving as mentors, guides and informal peer advisors.

COOT2 is an integral part of the Colby Orientation Program in which all students participate. The complete list of trips will help you choose a trip best suited to your experience level and desires.

Most trips have cabin facilities that include beds or bunks, and access to flush toilets and showers. We want each participant to be as comfortable as possible in this program. Please take a moment to ask yourself if a specific trip matches your experiences and needs. When in doubt, please contact Katie Unsworth, COOT2 Coordinator in the Office of Campus Life, at kmunswort@colby.edu or (207) 859-4280 to consult on the most appropriate trip.
Equipment
Equipment needs will vary depending upon the trip chosen.Some trips (including all thru-hikes) require complete backpacks, broken-in hiking boots, sleeping bag and sleeping pad and personal outdoor gear, while others such as excursions utilizing cabins may require a simple daypack, or duffel bag and a sleeping bag and sleeping pad.  Specific equipment lists will be posted on the COOT web-page soon. 

Travel & Arrival
Arrival day at Colby is Tuesday, September 1, 2009. Students are not permitted in the residence halls prior to September 1, 2009.  Additional information will be posted soon!

Athletics
Participation in fall sports will not conflict with COOT2. All new fall athletes attend COOT2 and all COOT2 activities.

Amenities
Please read all trip descriptions carefully. Trips such as canoeing, thru-­hikes and sea kayaking have very little in the way of amenities such as showers, toilets and access to stores, phones, etc.  There may be an occasion when there are no outhouses available at all. Participants on these trips should be comfortable with rustic camping.

Substance-Free Policy
COOT2 is a substance-free program that prohibits the use of drugs, alcohol or tobacco by all participants for the entire program, beginning with your arrival on campus and continuing through all COOT2 ­related activities (including reunions, slide shows, etc).

Cost
The fee for COOT2 is $225.00. This will be charged to your student account if you participate in the program. If you wish to participate but are concerned about the price, we do have some financial aid. Please contact Student Financial Services for additional information.  All forms, including the current fee waiver document, can be downloaded from this Web site.