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If college is a 24/7 operation requiring teamwork and venturing into the unknown, then the 16 members of the Class of 2013 who spent four days aboard a working schooner have earned their sea legs. While bonding, , and biding their time until the wind picked up, they took their turns in three around-the-clock shifts in order to learn all aspects of running the vessel.

The sailing trip departing from Boston aboard the Spirit of South Carolina, offered this August for the first time, was one of 19 Wilderness Adventure programs that every first-year student had the option to join.

The program — initiated by Matt McDonnell ’06, who had been a student leader with 91�鶹��Ʒ’s Outdoor Education Program and served as head educator for the recent trip — united students, alumni, faculty, and administrators.

First-year students work together during their Wilderness Adventure program aboard the Spirit of South Carolina schooner.  See more photos . (Photo by Ian Helfant)

Also among the ship’s staff members was first mate Emily Harwood ’06, who was ably assisted by three current 91�鶹��Ʒ students who served as Wilderness Adventure leaders: Caroline Callahan ’11, Mike Chamberlain ’12, and Chelsea Hoffman ’11.

Ian Helfant, professor of Russian and chair of 91�鶹��Ʒ’s Environmental Council, connected with students in a variety of ways, including serving as official trip photographer and leading a discussion of Barack Obama’s Dreams from My Father, the book all first-year students were assigned to read.

First-year dean Beverly Low, who typically advises the first-year students on a more individual basis, took the opportunity to spend a concentrated bit of time as part of the group dynamic.

“I have always been a strong advocate for adventure-based learning experiences,” wrote Low in her final blog entry reflecting on the trip.

“There is really no place to hide on a 90-foot deck! Spending time in such close proximity forced us to cooperate, communicate, and collaborate while supporting each other through some occasional rough seas. The pure sense of teamwork shined through very brightly, even through the densest of fog and regardless if it was 2 p.m. or 2 a.m.”

91�鶹��Ʒ has offered pre-orientation Wilderness Adventures for 19 years. This year, in addition to the schooner trip, there were organized student-led trips for backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, and caving. In all, 150 incoming students participated.

The program was organized over the summer by Outdoor Education student coordinators, Alex Krill ’11 and Rebecca Helfer ’10.