Author Archives: Benjamin Keeter

Organic Farming DOC Trip

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General Information about Item:

  • Informant: Jordan K.
  • Location: Hanover, NH
  • Date Collected: 11-2-2021
  • Form of Folklore: Customary/Ritual
  • Language: English

Informant Data:

  • Jordan is a female, class of 2023 Dartmouth undergraduate. She was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. She experienced his DOC trip back in 2019F when he was a freshman.

Contextual Data:

  • Cultural Context: First-year freshman trips are outdoor orientations programs led by returning students. They happen every fall – with exception to last year because of the pandemic. There are multiple outing options to choose from prior to arriving to campus.
  • Social Context: Coming into Dartmouth, students have little knowledge about the school and its surrounding nature. To expose it to them, returning students take the freshman on trips so that they can build relationships for their four years as undergrads.

Item:

  • Jordan received a survey asking for trip preferences before arriving to school. Unlike all other informants, Jordan said “I chose the ‘random’ option for my trip preference. This implied that they would choose the trip for me. I got the Organic Farming option… I wasn’t too happy at first, but I ended up enjoying it.” After doing some research on Farming DOC trip, I found that “Organic Farming Trips take place either at our very own Dartmouth Organic Farm or Luna Bleu Farm in Vermont. On the trip, you will learn the basics of organic farming while helping out with chores and various projects.” Attached below is a picture that Jordan sent to me; it is the sign outside of the organic farm where they spent most of their time.  

Associated file:

Transcript:

  • “I knew I wanted to go on a trip, but I didn’t have any preference – hence why I chose the random option. Just like many others on the trip, I had no experience about farming, but that’s what made the trip fun because we were all learning together… I now help my mother with her garden when I’m back home.”

Informant’s Comments:

  • J.K. said that she was concerned when she found out that she got the farming choice. But after reflecting upon it with me, she liked the overall experience.

Collector’s Comments:

  • Jordan was the only informant that I interviewed who went with the Organic farming option. This one sounded like more a learning experience than an outing.

Collector’s Name: Ben Keeter

Mountain Biking DOC Trip

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General Information about Item:

  • Informant: Zack B.
  • Location: Hanover, NH
  • Date Collected: 11-9-21
  • Form of Folklore: Customary/Ritual
  • Language: English

Informant Data:

  • Zack is a male, class of 2022 Dartmouth undergraduate. He was born and raised in New Jersey. His hobbies consist of playing football, watching soccer, and hanging out with friends. He experienced his DOC trip back in 2018F when he was a freshman.

Contextual Data:

  • Cultural Context: First-year freshman trips are outdoor orientations programs led by returning students. They happen every fall – with exception to last year because of the pandemic. Zack, like many other incoming students, was concerned coming into Dartmouth that he wasn’t going to find many friends. Through this program, Zack found a friend that he is still close with today.
  • Social Context: Coming into Dartmouth, students have little knowledge about the school and its surrounding nature. To expose it to them, returning students take the freshman on trips so that they can build relationships for their four years as undergrads. Zack received an email prior to arriving to campus and decided to take a risk by going on a DOC trip.

Item:

  • Zack received a survey asking for trip preferences before arriving to school. He considers himself as an “outdoorsy and brave” person. While talking about the process, Zack said “I chose mountain biking because I never tried it. I would consider myself as an athletic person, therefore I was not worried about falling off the bike.” Unlike some other informants, Zack got his first choice, and he really enjoyed the overall experience. After doing some research on the biking club, I found that “The Mountain Biking Club of the DOC is a great place to learn the ins and outs of mountain biking around Hanover.” Attached below is a picture that Zack sent to me from the website that accurately represents the experience.

Associated file:

Transcript:

  • “They took our group out to the forest and to my surprise, there were a ton of natural biking paths. I was extremely happy with my choice of mountain biking because it was far out of my comfort zone. As well, I met some classmates that I am still close with today… Overall, I suggest that every incoming freshman goes on a DOC trip.”

Informant’s Comments:

  • Z.B. said that he “didn’t know what to expect from choosing the mountain biking option.” He was concerned that the paths would be difficult/hard, but he was able to tackle all the paths with ease.

Collector’s Comments:

  • Zack was the only informant that chose the mountain biking option. I was intrigued at how different this option was compared to the rest – this choice is more for the brave and adventurous.

Collector’s Name: Ben Keeter

Hiking DOC Trip (2)

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General Information about Item:

  • Informant: Alex G.
  • Location: Hanover, NH
  • Date Collected: 11-5-21
  • Form of Folklore: Customary/Ritual
  • Language: English

Informant Data:

  • Alex is a male, class of 2025 Dartmouth undergraduate. He was born and raised in New Jersey. He has a military family background and says it plays a large role into how he was raised growing up. Alex’s hobbies consist of playing videogames with his friends, golfing, and traveling. He experienced the DOC trip this term.

Contextual Data:

  • Cultural Context: First-year freshman trips are outdoor orientations programs led by returning students. They happen every fall – with exception to last year because of the pandemic. Alex, like many other incoming students, was concerned coming into Dartmouth that he wasn’t going to find many friends.
  • Social Context: Coming into Dartmouth, students have little knowledge about the school and its surrounding nature. To expose it to them, returning students take the freshman on trips so that they can build relationships for their four years as undergrads. Alex decided to take this as an opportunity to network for his 4 years here.

Item:

  • Just like the other DOC informants, Alex received a survey asking for trip preferences before arriving to school. Alex said “They made us select multiple trips because everyone couldn’t get their first option. I chose cabin-camping as my first, but I got my second choice which was hiking.” Although Alex was “bummed out” that he didn’t get his first choice, he was happy that he got to experience the hiking the upper valley has to offer. Attached below is a picture that Alex found of the “fire tower” that sits atop of Mt. Cardigan.  

Associated file:

Transcript:

  • “Although I was unable to experience my first option of cabin-camping, I did enjoy the hiking experience. We spent 3 days hiking new mountains… I didn’t do much hiking growing up, so this was an eye-opening experience. I met some people that I still keep in touch with today, and that seemed like the guide’s goal of the trips.”

Informant’s Comments:

  • A.G. openly said that he “didn’t like the first day because he didn’t have cellular connection.” But, after he accepted that, he enjoyed bonding with his future undergrad classmates.

Collector’s Comments:

  • Although Alex and Sean both picked the hiking option, they were not in the same group. Therefore, I assume that a majority of incoming freshman attend these DOC trips as there are multiple groups per option.

Collector’s Name: Ben Keeter

Cabin-Camping DOC Trip

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General Information about Item:

  • Informant: Stephanie P.
  • Location: Hanover, NH
  • Date Collected: 10-29-21
  • Form of Folklore: Customary/Ritual
  • Language: English

Informant Data:

  • Stephanie is a female, class of 2022 Dartmouth student.  She was born and raised in Colorado. Outside of doing schoolwork, she enjoys skiing and spending time outside. While at home in Colorado, she likes to travel around the state and take in the nature. She experienced the DOC trip her freshman year in 2018.

Contextual Data:

  • Cultural Context: First-year freshman trips are outdoor orientations programs led by returning students. They happen every fall – with exception to last year because of the pandemic. Stephanie, like many other incoming students, was concerned coming into Dartmouth as she moved across the country. She contemplated doing the program, but ultimately chose to do it and enjoyed her decision.  
  • Social Context: Coming into Dartmouth, students have little knowledge about the school and its surrounding nature. To expose it to them, returning students take the freshman on trips so that they can build relationships for their four years as undergrads.  

Item:

  • Just like the other informants, Stephanie received a survey asking for trip preferences before arriving to school. She described the process – “I don’t recall all the options, but I remember hiking, climbing, and cabin-camping.” She appreciates the outdoors, but not enough to be outside all day; so, she picked cabin-camping as her first choice. Attached below is a picture that she took at the Moosilauke Lodge. She had this to say about the area – “everyone needs to make it out to this lodge. It is beautifully constructed inside and out. During my trip, we spent most of our time exploring the surroundings, and we were able to hang out in the cabin whenever we want.”

Associated file:

Transcript:

  • “I really enjoyed my DOC trip and recommend that every freshman should do it. A part of me with I chose another preference, but I really liked the cabin-camping option… To this day, I still have 2 close friends that I made on this trip – and I think that is the main goal of these trips, to bond with other incoming students.”

Informant’s Comments:

  • S.P. recollects these events from 2018 – when she was a freshman. She contemplated even going to a trip, however after reflecting on it, she was happy that she went through with it.

Collector’s Comments:

  • S.P. appreciated the trip that occurred in 2018. The cabin-camping seemed very different from Sean’s experience, but they served the same purpose as it acted as a perfect transition activity.

Collector’s Name: Ben Keeter

Hiking DOC Trip

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General Information about Item:

  • Informant: Sean Harmon
  • Location: Hanover, NH
  • Date Collected: 10-28-2021
  • Form of Folklore: Customary/Ritual
  • Language: English

Informant Data:

  • Sean is a class of 2025 Dartmouth student.  He was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. While not spending time in the classroom, Sean plays football for the Big Green. While at home in Seattle, Sean likes to spend time outside with his friends. Only being here for one term, Sean does not know what he wants to do after college.

Contextual Data:

  • Cultural Context: The first-year freshman trips are outdoor orientations programs led by returning students. They happen every fall – with exception to last year because of the pandemic. Sean was concerned coming into Dartmouth as he moved across the country to a school where he didn’t know anybody. Therefore, he decided it was best for him to gain friends through this program.
  • Social Context: Coming into Dartmouth, students do not know much about the school and its surrounding nature. To expose it to them, returning students take the freshman on trips so that they can build relationships for their four years as undergrads. Sean did not know what to expect going into it, but he was happy that he experienced the trip.

Item:

  • The Dartmouth Outing Club, or DOC for short, hosts several outings for incoming undergraduate students. Prior to coming to the school, Sean received a survey asking for his trip preferences. “There were many options… hiking, climbing, and mountain biking to horse riding, farming, and cabin-camping” he said while describing the process. Sean considered himself as outdoorsy throughout high school; so, he picked hiking as his first choice. Attached below is a picture that Sean took at the top of his Mount Moosilauke summit. He had this to say about the hike – “this was the most rewarding hike out of the few that we did because it was the hardest. We navigated to the top with no electronics and navigation… it was quite cool.”

Associated file:

Transcript:

  • “My freshman trip was fantastic – I strongly recommend that everyone should experience it. I was fortunate enough that the school brought them back this year after not having them last year because of Covid. I really enjoyed my hiking choice, but I also heard that mountain biking was super fun and thrilling. If I were to do it again, I would probably choose something more out of my comfort zone.”

Informant’s Comments:

  • Sean really enjoyed the trips and suggests that all incoming students go on them. It was a perfect transition from home to school.

Collector’s Comments:

  • I was unable to go on a trip due to conflicts with football. However, the team made changes since I was a freshman, and the players can now attend these trips. I wish I would have attended a trip because Sean really enjoyed it.

Collector’s Name: Ben Keeter