WOC-end UPDATE

Feb. 9 - Feb. 12 2023

Hello WOC family! Come check out some of the awesome outdoor events we have going on this week. All events are open to the Williams College community.

Announcements

There is a new Spontaneous Outings Groupme! Please join!

Have you ever felt like the day was so nice that you just had to be outside? Do you want to know if any random or spontaneous adventures are happening in the moment? Or do you want to get the most up to date info about WOC and trips? The previous Spontaneous Outings Groupme has been discontinued and we have a shiny brand new one that we want everyone to join!! Join the NEW Spontaneous Outings GroupMe chat here!

JOIN WOC BOARD!!

Excited about getting the campus community outside? Interested in leading trips, running community programming, and planning events like Mountain Day and Winter Carnival? Are you a first-year, sophomore or junior? Did you really like playing with dirt as a child? Then WOC Board might be the place for you! Please feel more than welcome to apply — no prior experience in the outdoors is necessary! Applications are due by February 15th at 11:59 pm and include a short peer recommendation. We will be scheduling (short) interviews with all applicants between February 19-25th. Apply here!

Winter Carnival is Heating Up Feb 16-18! 

A 3-day extravaganza! On Thursday, campus will explode in light from fireworks, and Williamstown will transform into a magical winter wonderland. On Friday & Saturday, the Williams alpine and nordic ski teams are hosting teams from far and wide to race, so be sure to cheer them on or stop by for food, skiing, snowball fights, & more. Other events include skating, a trike race, and a themed dinner. This year's theme is 100 DegreEPHs, so get ready for summer in winter!

Animal Tracking Adventure in Hopkins Forest! Saturday, February 11th, 9:00-1:00

Join Dan Yacobellis Naturalist Extraordinaire on an outing to find and learn about animal tracks and behavior in Hopkins Forest.  Even during the coldest period of the year, the woods are alive with animals such as cottontails, voles, raccoons, weasels, foxes, bobcats, and coyotes -- which are out and about looking for food and shelter to get them through the season. The program will begin with a short indoor introduction before heading outside to find and follow tracks.  Given the cold conditions, and that tracking is a slow moving activity, participants should come prepared with warm clothing, including a good coat, layers, hat and gloves and warm, sturdy footwear.   A shuttle will leave from Paresky at 9:00am and return at 1:00pm.  Space is limited, so anyone wishing to attend the program is asked to Register Here

Overland Info Session  Love the outdoors? Overland hires college students and recent graduates to lead eight weeks of hiking, language, and service trips across the country and around the world.

Overland will be hosting an info session at 7pm in the Overland office at 10 Walden Street (3rd floor of the bookstore!). We'll explain the goals of the experience, the nuances of the trips we offer, and answer any questions you have. We can't wait to see you!

If you have any questions, or can't meet us during those times and would like to, please reach out to [log in to unmask].

The WOC Equipment Room will be open M- Th 12:30 -1:30 & F 12 -2.

We want your feedback on trips! Have you recently gone on a trip and want to give us feedback on how things went? Fill out our feedback form after your trip so we know how we’re doing!

Activities

Thursday:

Climbing Wall open!  Non cis-male climbing from 8- 9pm!  From 9-10 there will be open climbing at the Nate Lowe Climbing Wall. No experience necessary.  All equipment provided.  

Saturday:

Kite Hill Hike *Winter Carnival Warm Up Edition*

Take a leisurely hike from Stone Hill to the Kite Hill Trail. Sign up here. And get warmed up with some delicious 100 degreEPHs hot chocolate! Meet in front of Paresky at 1pm. Return to campus by around 3pm. It may be cold and/or wet, so if you need any winter apparel  you can head to the equipment room Th 12:30 -1:30 or Friday 12 -2. If you have any questions, email Abby Kinney ([log in to unmask]).

Sunset at the Hairpin Turn 2.0! - Did you miss last week’s sunset trip? Well, here is the perfect opportunity for redemption! Come on a short 15-ish minute drive in the WOC van to see a beautiful Berkshires sunset at the Hairpin Turn in North Adams! Sunset is at 5:19 pm, so let’s meet on Paresky steps to walk to the van at 4:20 pm. Also, it will be fairly cold! Please bring layers, gloves, a hat, etc, all available between 12 and 2 on Friday at the Equipment Room.  Feel free to bring snacks, tea, and water. We will be back to campus before 6:10 pm. There is limited seating in the van, so please sign up on this form! Email Michael ([log in to unmask]) with any questions.

Sunday:

Cross Country Ski trip to Prospect Mountain* 

Sign up here for the opportunity to cross country ski at Prospect Mountain this Sunday. We will meet on Park St. at 9:30 am and will return between 12:30 and 1:00 pm. Make sure you bring proper clothing and if you need cross country skis then check them out from the equipment room on Friday between 12:00 and 2pm. Additionally we will not be teaching people to ski, and will only be providing van service, please bring $10 for the Prospect Mountain fee.  

Monday:

Late Morning Stone Hill Walk  Need a relaxed way to start your week? Hoping to spot some cows? Come enjoy the not too frigid weather on Monday morning with a ~2 mile walk on well paved road to well maintained gravel and dirt trails! We’ll leave from Paresky steps at 11am for a refreshing walk to Stone Hill. Email Isabel ([log in to unmask]) with any questions, and sign up here to join.