Outdoorsy liberal arts schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Beginning to think about a college list for my sophomore son, who loves kayaking and rock climbing but doesn't like traditional sports (either as a participant or spectator) and probably won't be interested in Greek life. He will likely want to major in some sort of quantitative social science. At this point, open to all size schools.

If he's open to all size schools, then I would not limit the question to liberal arts schools.

I’d add that lots of schools have great outdoorsy clubs.
While it's hard to predict, what sort of academic stats would you guess he'll end up with?

Random ideas, universities out west: CU Boulder, Montana State Bozeman, U Utah, Oregon State, Gonzaga

LACs out west: Colorado College, Fort Lewis College

Obviously there are more; just throwing these out there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

your post is the definition of an unnecessary post

[Anonymous]

Boulder is hands down the best suggestion on this thread. Climbing and kayaking lend themselves better in certain environments and boulder has some of the best of both!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

your post is the definition of an unnecessary post

Irony, it’s humoring.

[Anonymous]

In general I would head west.

UC Santa Cruz has very nearby rock climbing and a very outdoorsy campus. They run an active rock climbing club, and the nearby mountains are filled with good climbs.

UC Davis has a very active kayak/river rafting club that has open kayak sessions in the campus pool every Wednesday and runs the nearby rivers. Kids who get involved with their programs often get part time jobs as river guides on the American River (see link below). Look up the UCD “Outdoor Adventures” Instagram account for more info. The river rafting and kayaking there is very well established and the rivers runs are some of the best in the country.

https://campusrecreation.ucdavis.edu/events/become-whitewater-rafting-guide

[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.

Screeching? This is one of the few posters who is balanced and calm here. You can practically feel the spittle from the "But it's the plains!" "There's no rock climbing there!" people. One gentle post about Carleton and the snarling snots come out of the woodwork. Give it a rest, boys.

And to the people who keep asking where there is rock climbing, I'm not going to tell you because if you cared, you'd look it up. And Red Wing isn't the only place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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

Idk, as someone with no ties to LACs, the people who come across by far the worse are the LAC haters. Admittedly they always sound crazy in DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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

Idk, as someone with no ties to LACs, the people who come across by far the worse are the LAC haters. Admittedly they always sound crazy in DCUM.

?? Are you reading the same thread? Everyone on this thread except for like 4 posters have advocated for LACs. Even the people arguing against Carleton are suggesting LACs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In general I would head west.

UC Santa Cruz has very nearby rock climbing and a very outdoorsy campus. They run an active rock climbing club, and the nearby mountains are filled with good climbs.

UC Davis has a very active kayak/river rafting club that has open kayak sessions in the campus pool every Wednesday and runs the nearby rivers. Kids who get involved with their programs often get part time jobs as river guides on the American River (see link below). Look up the UCD “Outdoor Adventures” Instagram account for more info. The river rafting and kayaking there is very well established and the rivers runs are some of the best in the country.

https://campusrecreation.ucdavis.edu/events/become-whitewater-rafting-guide

+1. People previously were arguing that there shouldn’t be any commute to the nature, but that’s kind of how the west coast works and it has the best to offer for basically all things nature. Colorado, California, Oregon are absolute dreams for an outdoorsy student!

[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.

Screeching? This is one of the few posters who is balanced and calm here. You can practically feel the spittle from the "But it's the plains!" "There's no rock climbing there!" people. One gentle post about Carleton and the snarling snots come out of the woodwork. Give it a rest, boys.

And to the people who keep asking where there is rock climbing, I'm not going to tell you because if you cared, you'd look it up. And Red Wing isn't the only place.

Very childish. Bad look on Carleton. Hope the average parent isn’t this obnoxiously rabid.

[Anonymous]

OP, have you looked at Reed? I haven’t been able to read through the thread, but the nature culture is strong and very low-key in Oregon!

[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.

I’m not. I am trying to offer actual information in response to OP’s query and a litany of misinformation from a small number of people making sweeping generalizations about how the Midwest or plains state schools couldn’t possibly appeal to outdoorsy types like OP’s kid.

OP has told us their child wants an LAC with an outdoorsy feel. They indicated an interest in kayaking and rock climbing. Carleton is an LAC with an 800 acre arboretum, 15 miles of outdoor trails, and a river with kayaking, all on campus. It is 45 min from a site with class 5 (technical) climbs graded from easy to very difficult. Are there other schools that can say *all* this? Probably, but not many, and I am sharing what I know about this school cause OP’s kid sounds similar to my own in this regard, and my kid (who came from a very outdoorsy part of the country in SoCal) loved it. I am doing for OP and other parents what I appreciated people doing for me when we did our college search and offering suggestions and information.

Does this mean Carleton is the best school for OP’s kid? No; there are many things that go into a college search. There could be any number of reasons why they might be happier elsewhere. Carleton has cold winters; it’s rural (though not really remote); the trimester system isn’t for everyone; some find it too academic; etc. But in the opinion of all those I’ve personally known who have visited, it has a ton of nature and appeals to those who like to be immersed in it. It also has easy access to the very activities mentioned by OP.

There is no one school that’s right for everyone. Carleton definitely isn’t an exception. But I strongly disagree
with claims that it can’t appeal to those who want to participate (rather than observe) lots of outdoor activities. Will it not appeal to some outdoorsy types? Of course! I never stated otherwise. But a few posters seem heck-bent on pushing the narrative that no outdoorsy kid would love a rural college in MN or other plains-state school. That’s simply not true generally, even if it’s true for some.

[Anonymous]

A hysterical woman on the edge of break down^^ no one speak or she just might explode.

[Anonymous]

There are TWO nutty posters on here. Both of you behave yourselves, got get a Xanax or something.

[Anonymous]

Carleton is near Ivy level, it’s very unlikely op’s child will get in anyway. Id recommend Beloit.