Outdoorsy liberal arts schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do people not understand that an outdoorsy 18 year old is not the same as an old fart who thinks a mosey through an arboretum in the Great Plains is hiking?

+100. The suggestion of Carleton is giving booster, not a serious suggestion.

[Anonymous]

The Santa Fe campus of St. John’s College is outdoorsy. It’s in the mountains and the school organizes trips to the ski basin in winter. They also have a search and rescue team students can join.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Carleton. The Cowling Arboretum, Lyman Lakes, and Cannon River are on campus (or run through campus) and make for great hiking, biking, running, and kayaking. In the winter there’s cross country skiing (and downhill skiing at an artificial slope 20 min away) in the Arb and skating on the Bald Spot. Lots of natural beauty!

Hiking in Minnesota is an absolute joke. The coasts are where this student needs to go.

Spoken like someone who has never been. There’s 15 miles of trails on Carleton’s campus, starting about a 1 min walk from the nearest dorm, almost all of which are out of sight of roads. Few if any of the schools you are thinking of can say the same. You have a narrow view of hiking and a the outdoors.

Would you like to elaborate on what schools I’m “thinking of?” Hiking isn’t just walking on flat trails either, and a student whose really outdoorsy would be bored out of their mind in Northfield.

Can’t say I know of others with 15 miles of trails starting at a dorm, but I’m willing to believe some might exist! But it would seem to me the burden of proof falls on those claiming MN has a poor outdoors scene. In fact the below ranking puts it well above average and ahead of all the NE states except Maine. That’s before adding the benefit of a college campus with its own arboretum, lakes, and river access.

https://www.culturalcurrents.institute/insights/best-states-for-nature-lovers

Being a nature lover and being a rock climber are...not the same thing. There is overlap, but they're not the same. DP

I haven’t seen a claim to the contrary. The thread is titled “outdoorsy liberal arts colleges.” There’s quite a bit to outdoorsy life beyond rock climbing. That would certainly involve a road trip if starting from Northfield.

Did you read the OP or just the title?

Sure did. That’s why I pointed out kayaking and not rock climbing as being available right on campus (unless you consider the indoor wall in the rec center!). There’s a lot of space between “Carleton has everything an outdoors lover could ever want right on campus” (which I never said) and “the coasts are where this student needs to go” (which someone else actually did say); unsurprisingly, reality is somewhere in between the extreme statement that wasn’t made and the extreme one that was. OP’s description of their kid sounded like our own, and they loved their time in Minnesota as many other avid outdoorsy types do. That seems more relevant to the thread than people who have never been blathering about how boring their narrowly imagined version of life there is. I think OP’s kid might like it there and a number of other places too. Ok?

Good post. (And there is rock climbing in southern Minnesota for those that want it.)

Where is there rock climbing that’s accessible from Northfield? I guess you’re counting indoor gyms in the Twin cities?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do people not understand that an outdoorsy 18 year old is not the same as an old fart who thinks a mosey through an arboretum in the Great Plains is hiking?

+100. The suggestion of Carleton is giving booster, not a serious suggestion.

Have you been?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Carleton. The Cowling Arboretum, Lyman Lakes, and Cannon River are on campus (or run through campus) and make for great hiking, biking, running, and kayaking. In the winter there’s cross country skiing (and downhill skiing at an artificial slope 20 min away) in the Arb and skating on the Bald Spot. Lots of natural beauty!

Hiking in Minnesota is an absolute joke. The coasts are where this student needs to go.

Spoken like someone who has never been. There’s 15 miles of trails on Carleton’s campus, starting about a 1 min walk from the nearest dorm, almost all of which are out of sight of roads. Few if any of the schools you are thinking of can say the same. You have a narrow view of hiking and a the outdoors.

Would you like to elaborate on what schools I’m “thinking of?” Hiking isn’t just walking on flat trails either, and a student whose really outdoorsy would be bored out of their mind in Northfield.

Can’t say I know of others with 15 miles of trails starting at a dorm, but I’m willing to believe some might exist! But it would seem to me the burden of proof falls on those claiming MN has a poor outdoors scene. In fact the below ranking puts it well above average and ahead of all the NE states except Maine. That’s before adding the benefit of a college campus with its own arboretum, lakes, and river access.

https://www.culturalcurrents.institute/insights/best-states-for-nature-lovers

Being a nature lover and being a rock climber are...not the same thing. There is overlap, but they're not the same. DP

I haven’t seen a claim to the contrary. The thread is titled “outdoorsy liberal arts colleges.” There’s quite a bit to outdoorsy life beyond rock climbing. That would certainly involve a road trip if starting from Northfield.

Did you read the OP or just the title?

Sure did. That’s why I pointed out kayaking and not rock climbing as being available right on campus (unless you consider the indoor wall in the rec center!). There’s a lot of space between “Carleton has everything an outdoors lover could ever want right on campus” (which I never said) and “the coasts are where this student needs to go” (which someone else actually did say); unsurprisingly, reality is somewhere in between the extreme statement that wasn’t made and the extreme one that was. OP’s description of their kid sounded like our own, and they loved their time in Minnesota as many other avid outdoorsy types do. That seems more relevant to the thread than people who have never been blathering about how boring their narrowly imagined version of life there is. I think OP’s kid might like it there and a number of other places too. Ok?

Good post. (And there is rock climbing in southern Minnesota for those that want it.)

Where is there rock climbing that’s accessible from Northfield? I guess you’re counting indoor gyms in the Twin cities?

DP. Red Wing is about a 45 min drive from Northfield.

https://www.mountainproject.com/area/105812663/red-wing-aka-he-mni-can-barn-bluff

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do people not understand that an outdoorsy 18 year old is not the same as an old fart who thinks a mosey through an arboretum in the Great Plains is hiking?

+100. The suggestion of Carleton is giving booster, not a serious suggestion.

Have you been?

Yeah, I’ve been to several convocations and even sat in with my child for Comps colloquium. It’s DH’s Alma mater, and even he laughs at the idea of it for an outdoorsy students. It’s great for nature appreciators who like prairies with forest, not that outdoorsy.

[Anonymous]

UVM is very outdoorsy, but unlike most outdoorsy LACS it doesn't have a preppy or bro vibe. Highly recommend, if that description sounds good.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Carleton. The Cowling Arboretum, Lyman Lakes, and Cannon River are on campus (or run through campus) and make for great hiking, biking, running, and kayaking. In the winter there’s cross country skiing (and downhill skiing at an artificial slope 20 min away) in the Arb and skating on the Bald Spot. Lots of natural beauty!

Hiking in Minnesota is an absolute joke. The coasts are where this student needs to go.

Spoken like someone who has never been. There’s 15 miles of trails on Carleton’s campus, starting about a 1 min walk from the nearest dorm, almost all of which are out of sight of roads. Few if any of the schools you are thinking of can say the same. You have a narrow view of hiking and a the outdoors.

Would you like to elaborate on what schools I’m “thinking of?” Hiking isn’t just walking on flat trails either, and a student whose really outdoorsy would be bored out of their mind in Northfield.

Can’t say I know of others with 15 miles of trails starting at a dorm, but I’m willing to believe some might exist! But it would seem to me the burden of proof falls on those claiming MN has a poor outdoors scene. In fact the below ranking puts it well above average and ahead of all the NE states except Maine. That’s before adding the benefit of a college campus with its own arboretum, lakes, and river access.

https://www.culturalcurrents.institute/insights/best-states-for-nature-lovers

Being a nature lover and being a rock climber are...not the same thing. There is overlap, but they're not the same. DP

I haven’t seen a claim to the contrary. The thread is titled “outdoorsy liberal arts colleges.” There’s quite a bit to outdoorsy life beyond rock climbing. That would certainly involve a road trip if starting from Northfield.

Did you read the OP or just the title?

Sure did. That’s why I pointed out kayaking and not rock climbing as being available right on campus (unless you consider the indoor wall in the rec center!). There’s a lot of space between “Carleton has everything an outdoors lover could ever want right on campus” (which I never said) and “the coasts are where this student needs to go” (which someone else actually did say); unsurprisingly, reality is somewhere in between the extreme statement that wasn’t made and the extreme one that was. OP’s description of their kid sounded like our own, and they loved their time in Minnesota as many other avid outdoorsy types do. That seems more relevant to the thread than people who have never been blathering about how boring their narrowly imagined version of life there is. I think OP’s kid might like it there and a number of other places too. Ok?

Good post. (And there is rock climbing in southern Minnesota for those that want it.)

Where is there rock climbing that’s accessible from Northfield? I guess you’re counting indoor gyms in the Twin cities?

DP. Red Wing is about a 45 min drive from Northfield.

https://www.mountainproject.com/area/105812663/red-wing-aka-he-mni-can-barn-bluff

PP was arguing that the outdoors needs to be right at your door, not a “road trip” away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do people not understand that an outdoorsy 18 year old is not the same as an old fart who thinks a mosey through an arboretum in the Great Plains is hiking?

+100. The suggestion of Carleton is giving booster, not a serious suggestion.

Have you been?

Yeah, I’ve been to several convocations and even sat in with my child for Comps colloquium. It’s DH’s Alma mater, and even he laughs at the idea of it for an outdoorsy students. It’s great for nature appreciators who like prairies with forest, not that outdoorsy.

Couldn’t disagree more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UVM is very outdoorsy, but unlike most outdoorsy LACS it doesn't have a preppy or bro vibe. Highly recommend, if that description sounds good.

No LAC suggested has either vibe, so this is an unnecessary suggestion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do people not understand that an outdoorsy 18 year old is not the same as an old fart who thinks a mosey through an arboretum in the Great Plains is hiking?

+100. The suggestion of Carleton is giving booster, not a serious suggestion.

Have you been?

Yeah, I’ve been to several convocations and even sat in with my child for Comps colloquium. It’s DH’s Alma mater, and even he laughs at the idea of it for an outdoorsy students. It’s great for nature appreciators who like prairies with forest, not that outdoorsy.

Couldn’t disagree more.

Well we all have opinions.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Carleton. The Cowling Arboretum, Lyman Lakes, and Cannon River are on campus (or run through campus) and make for great hiking, biking, running, and kayaking. In the winter there’s cross country skiing (and downhill skiing at an artificial slope 20 min away) in the Arb and skating on the Bald Spot. Lots of natural beauty!

Hiking in Minnesota is an absolute joke. The coasts are where this student needs to go.

Spoken like someone who has never been. There’s 15 miles of trails on Carleton’s campus, starting about a 1 min walk from the nearest dorm, almost all of which are out of sight of roads. Few if any of the schools you are thinking of can say the same. You have a narrow view of hiking and a the outdoors.

Would you like to elaborate on what schools I’m “thinking of?” Hiking isn’t just walking on flat trails either, and a student whose really outdoorsy would be bored out of their mind in Northfield.

Can’t say I know of others with 15 miles of trails starting at a dorm, but I’m willing to believe some might exist! But it would seem to me the burden of proof falls on those claiming MN has a poor outdoors scene. In fact the below ranking puts it well above average and ahead of all the NE states except Maine. That’s before adding the benefit of a college campus with its own arboretum, lakes, and river access.

https://www.culturalcurrents.institute/insights/best-states-for-nature-lovers

Being a nature lover and being a rock climber are...not the same thing. There is overlap, but they're not the same. DP

I haven’t seen a claim to the contrary. The thread is titled “outdoorsy liberal arts colleges.” There’s quite a bit to outdoorsy life beyond rock climbing. That would certainly involve a road trip if starting from Northfield.

Did you read the OP or just the title?

Sure did. That’s why I pointed out kayaking and not rock climbing as being available right on campus (unless you consider the indoor wall in the rec center!). There’s a lot of space between “Carleton has everything an outdoors lover could ever want right on campus” (which I never said) and “the coasts are where this student needs to go” (which someone else actually did say); unsurprisingly, reality is somewhere in between the extreme statement that wasn’t made and the extreme one that was. OP’s description of their kid sounded like our own, and they loved their time in Minnesota as many other avid outdoorsy types do. That seems more relevant to the thread than people who have never been blathering about how boring their narrowly imagined version of life there is. I think OP’s kid might like it there and a number of other places too. Ok?

Good post. (And there is rock climbing in southern Minnesota for those that want it.)

Where is there rock climbing that’s accessible from Northfield? I guess you’re counting indoor gyms in the Twin cities?

DP. Red Wing is about a 45 min drive from Northfield.

https://www.mountainproject.com/area/105812663/red-wing-aka-he-mni-can-barn-bluff

PP was arguing that the outdoors needs to be right at your door, not a “road trip” away.

Re-read. The claim trails and lakes are on campus, but real rock climbing was a road trip. But it’s typical after all the claims there’s no rock climbing in southern Minnesota you would move the goal posts when hearing it’s less than an hour away!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Claremont Colleges. It is better than any college in New England. While you cannot log into the on the loose page without a Claremont email, every semester there are trips to Joshua Tree, Yosemite, Baldy -> Beach, Laguna, Malibu, Death Valley, Sequoia, Zion, and an annual ferry ride. Students are constantly on trips outdoors and are fully reimbursed by the college to pay for gas and food, free gear rental, etc. The college hires student workers, subsidizes student wilderness first responder certificates, has constant outdoors speakers, a living community for the center, and many outdoors groups-People of Color Outside, Climbing Club, Ski and Snowboard Club, Surf club, etc. The only colleges we've seen with as many resources are all on the west coast.

+100, we were surprised by how many students talked about outdoors clubs while we toured. Our guide even told us he had a morning hike before classes the day of our tour! Would recommend alongside Bowdoin and CU boulder.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Carleton. The Cowling Arboretum, Lyman Lakes, and Cannon River are on campus (or run through campus) and make for great hiking, biking, running, and kayaking. In the winter there’s cross country skiing (and downhill skiing at an artificial slope 20 min away) in the Arb and skating on the Bald Spot. Lots of natural beauty!

Hiking in Minnesota is an absolute joke. The coasts are where this student needs to go.

Spoken like someone who has never been. There’s 15 miles of trails on Carleton’s campus, starting about a 1 min walk from the nearest dorm, almost all of which are out of sight of roads. Few if any of the schools you are thinking of can say the same. You have a narrow view of hiking and a the outdoors.

Would you like to elaborate on what schools I’m “thinking of?” Hiking isn’t just walking on flat trails either, and a student whose really outdoorsy would be bored out of their mind in Northfield.

Can’t say I know of others with 15 miles of trails starting at a dorm, but I’m willing to believe some might exist! But it would seem to me the burden of proof falls on those claiming MN has a poor outdoors scene. In fact the below ranking puts it well above average and ahead of all the NE states except Maine. That’s before adding the benefit of a college campus with its own arboretum, lakes, and river access.

https://www.culturalcurrents.institute/insights/best-states-for-nature-lovers

Being a nature lover and being a rock climber are...not the same thing. There is overlap, but they're not the same. DP

I haven’t seen a claim to the contrary. The thread is titled “outdoorsy liberal arts colleges.” There’s quite a bit to outdoorsy life beyond rock climbing. That would certainly involve a road trip if starting from Northfield.

Did you read the OP or just the title?

Sure did. That’s why I pointed out kayaking and not rock climbing as being available right on campus (unless you consider the indoor wall in the rec center!). There’s a lot of space between “Carleton has everything an outdoors lover could ever want right on campus” (which I never said) and “the coasts are where this student needs to go” (which someone else actually did say); unsurprisingly, reality is somewhere in between the extreme statement that wasn’t made and the extreme one that was. OP’s description of their kid sounded like our own, and they loved their time in Minnesota as many other avid outdoorsy types do. That seems more relevant to the thread than people who have never been blathering about how boring their narrowly imagined version of life there is. I think OP’s kid might like it there and a number of other places too. Ok?

Good post. (And there is rock climbing in southern Minnesota for those that want it.)

Where is there rock climbing that’s accessible from Northfield? I guess you’re counting indoor gyms in the Twin cities?

DP. Red Wing is about a 45 min drive from Northfield.

https://www.mountainproject.com/area/105812663/red-wing-aka-he-mni-can-barn-bluff

PP was arguing that the outdoors needs to be right at your door, not a “road trip” away.

Re-read. The claim trails and lakes are on campus, but real rock climbing was a road trip. But it’s typical after all the claims there’s no rock climbing in southern Minnesota you would move the goal posts when hearing it’s less than an hour away!

Why are you derangedly screeching for Carleton? It’s in the plains, and the rock climbing there is so-so, not that great for an outdoorsy student.

[Anonymous]

Always LAC parents that are the most toxic and screaming at each other. I agree with PP on UVM, stay away from the Carleton crowd is all I’ve learned from this thread