Tag Archives: Dartmouth Outing Club

DOC Trips

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General Information:
Title: DOC Trips
Form of Folklore: Customary, outdoors trip
Language: English
Place of Origin: Hanover, NH, United States
Informant: G.M.
Date Collected: October 29th, 2021

Informant Data: 
G.M. is a 22-year-old member of the Dartmouth class of 2022. He is a history major with a focus on global economic history, and a member of a fraternity on campus. He grew up in New York City and enjoys being able to enjoy the nature of New Hampshire. In his spare time he enjoys hiking, snowboarding, and swimming in natural waters. 

Contextual Data:
– Social Context: The first thing G.M. experienced at Dartmouth was the Dartmouth Outing Club (DOC) First-Year Trips Program. The Trips program is organized and run by upperclassmen students through the DOC, and takes place prior to students moving into their dormitories and attending ‘Orientation Week’. The program is a collection of organized seven-day trips, and is aimed at giving students a brief introduction to some other freshmen and upperclassmen, and to give students a taste of Dartmouth before formally moving in and starting the orientation program. Groups of five to eight incoming students are paired with two upperclassmen, and each group is assigned an activity to do over the course of three to four days, ranging from hiking to canoeing to farming to arts and crafts. G.M. participated in the ‘Hiking 4 Trip’, a hiking trip for students with prior hiking experience. Students are randomly assigned their upperclassmen leaders and fellow group of freshmen (their ‘trippees’), and because students are arriving from all over the country (and the world) the students are exposed to people from varying backgrounds and interests. At the time of collection, George is a senior reflecting back on his freshman year experience. 
– Cultural Context: Participating in the DOC Trips program is an important experience for most students, particularly because roughly 90% of the freshmen participate every year. It is a common experience the incoming freshmen share, and it serves as a commonality among all students to discuss during the first weeks at Dartmouth. It is also an important tradition as it introduces students to the DOC, a very large organization on campus that oversees a lot of smaller sub clubs. One of Dartmouth’s unique selling points is the opportunity to use the surrounding outdoors, and the DOC offers students of all experience levels the opportunity to engage in all sorts of outdoors activities in New Hampshire, Vermont, and beyond. Because Dartmouth markets itself as an outdoors-oriented school, the widespread participation in DOC Trips cements Dartmouth’s image as a place where you can enjoy and learn to enjoy nature. 

Item: 
During the weeks before the freshman orientation program, Dartmouth’s freshmen participate in the DOC Trips. The freshmen arrive on campus and meet outside Robinson Hall (DOC headquarters) where they are greeted by upperclassmen dressed in colorful and flamboyant outfits. They meet their upperclassmen leaders and their trippees, and spend the first night preparing for their trip. Early the next morning they embark on their activity, and for the next three days they only interact with the members of their group. G.M. and his trippees spent four days hiking mountains in New Hampshire. The last night, all the various trips groups unite at the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge, regardless of what activities they have been doing over the past few days, and they all participate in songs and dance before returning to campus the next day. 

Associated File:

G.M. and his ‘trippees’ at the summit of Mt Moosilauke during their Hiking 4 trip

Transcript: 
Collector: “What do you remember most about DOC Trips?” 

Informant: “We got lost on our hike and didn’t end up making it to our campsite on time. It was pouring rain and we just had to put tarps up on the trail and the whole thing was miserable. But, you know, good friends are made in misery. I knew that the people on my trip weren’t going to be my close friends, but it felt really nice having people to text during the first few weeks when I had no one to hang out with. Eventhough you are randomly assigned your trippees and it can put you in an awkward ill-fitting social circle, it puts you in a social circle nonetheless.” 

Collector Comment:
I had the flu during my assigned trip, so I was unable to participate in the trips program. However, I can understand G.M.’s sentiment that while your trips-friends might not become your best friends, you have met people and spent enjoyable time with them nonetheless. 

Collected By:
Una Westvold
Oslo, Norway
Hanover, NH
Dartmouth College
RUSS 013
Fall 2021

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

First-Year Trips

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General Information:
Informant: Evan Fu
Place: Hanover, NH
Date: October 22, 2021
Genre/Form of folklore: Customary/Ritual
Title: “First-Year Trips”

Informant Data: Evan Fu is a 21-year-old Dartmouth student who is part of the class of 2022. He is from Palo Alto, California, and he lives on campus at Dartmouth in Hanover, New Hampshire for most of the year. He is a computer science major and an active member in Dartmouth’s investing program.

Contextual Data: In the weeks prior to freshmen orientation, the Dartmouth Outing Club organizes the first-year trips, which take incoming freshmen on a wide range of outings such as mountain biking, fishing, hiking, etc. The groups consist of six to eight freshman and two upperclassmen. During the trips, the freshmen do not have access to their phones or showers and are expected to have all their belongings in one portable bag.

Social Data: The first-year trips can be an intimidating experience for freshmen since it requires them to spend a few days in the outdoors with people they didn’t know before. This experience allows for freshmen to create relationships prior to orientation week and learn about the outdoor activities available to them around campus.

Item: Every fall, freshmen go on a trip led by the Dartmouth Outing Club to experience the outdoors around Dartmouth’s campus.

Transcript: 
Collector: “How did DOC trips make you feel as a freshman coming into a new environment?”

Informant: “The first-year trips were definitely an interesting experience that made me feel like everything about Dartmouth revolved around the outdoors, and it felt like the Dartmouth Outing Club was attempting to force this focus on outdoors. As someone who isn’t very interested in the outdoors, I felt disillusioned which quickly changed when I came back to campus. Although I did meet a lot of people, the trip really felt like a summer camp and shouldn’t be a deciding factor for coming to Dartmouth”

Collector Comment: I was never able to go on my trip since they are held during fall camp for football, but I have heard a wide range of reviews and experiences.  

Collected by:

Carson Reich 21

Houston, TX

Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College

RUSS 013

Fall 2021

DOC Trip

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General Information:
Informant: MA
Place: Hanover, NH
Date: August 2019
Genre/Form of folklore: Customary/Ritual
Title: “DOC Trips”

Informant Data: MA is a 20-year-old Dartmouth student from the class of 2023. She is from Florida and wants to study geography. She is a student-athlete on the softball team, which meant she already knew some people on campus.

Contextual Data: In the week prior to Freshman Orientation week, the Dartmouth Outing Club organizes and oversees “Freshman Year Trips”, where students go on a 3 day trip with six to eight other freshman and two upperclassmen trip leaders. There is a wide range of activities- from hiking to canoeing, to arts and crafts. Upon arrival, the freshmen go to Robinson Hall (Robo) where they are greeted by upperclassmen dressed in random, flamboyant outfits (flair) to check in. They spend the first night preparing for the trip and they are sent into the wilderness of New Hampshire. Throughout this whole period, the freshmen do not have access to their phones and have all their belongings in one bag. This is often an intimidating experience for freshmen entering a totally new environment but is intended to make them feel welcomed and comfortable. 

Social Data: Freshmen are arriving on campus from different corners of the country, and many of them are arriving without any friends. The trips force them into groups where they can meet new people and also learn something about the area surrounding their campus.

Item: Every fall, freshmen go on trips that are led by upperclassmen and get to see the area surrounding their new college campus.

Transcript:

Collector: “What do you remember most about DOC trips?”

Informant: “I remember it being super awkward at first, but then when people started talking we got to know each other very well. It opened my eyes to how different people here are, but expanding my friend group was a good thing. I appreciated the opportunity to observe and enjoy the diversity of everyone on campus. Being from different parts of the country and sometimes the world, it was nice to see we have Dartmouth in common.”

Collector Comment:
I was never able to go on the DOC trips, so it is always kind of bitter-sweet to hear how great of an experience it is for many of the freshmen as they arrive on a new campus. It is a great tradition that Dartmouth does a great job employing.

Collected by:

Ross Parrish 20

Cincinnati, OH

Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College

RUSS 013

Fall 2021

First Year DOC Trip Raid

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Title: First Year DOC Trip Raid

Informant info: SuHyeon Kim is a ’19 currently enrolled at Dartmouth College. She is from Daegu, Republic of Korea, and is hoping to do a double major in Government and Economics. She is currently the chair of BSLS (Big Sister, Little Sister) and works for the McLaughlin snack bar.

Type of lore: Customary, Prank

Language: English

Country of Origin: United States

Social / Cultural Context: Informant was interviewed alone at Dartmouth College. The informant was asked to retell any rituals she knew associated with any aspect of the Dartmouth Outing Club.

As an international student from Daegu, Republic of Korea, coming to Dartmouth was SuHyeon’s first time coming to the United States. Although she is proficient in the English language, SuHyeon is not used to the American culture that coming to college came to her as a big transition. In the process of the transition, she participated in the Dartmouth Outing Club trip, the Organic Farming section. During her trip, she heard from her trip leader various folklore related to the Dartmouth Outing Club trips, including this raid prank.

Associated file (a video, audio, or image file)

Item: When we were having lunch on our second day, I heard this story from my trip leader. Our trip leader told us that when she was having her trip, she and her tripmates were hiking to their campsite. They were heading to the cabin camping section and while they were walking, they walked by a random topless hiker with a huge beard. The trip leader, when the hiker passed by, told the tripees that there were violent hippies that lived in the mountains nearby and that they attacked and robbed many innocent hikers. They were walking and walking when they finally arrived near their cabin and the campsite. They found that one of their other trip leader was tied to the tree, injured, screaming “Run, run away!” And two other mysterious looking people came out of the forest, threatening and chasing the tripees. So the tripees ran away for their lives. And later they found out that this was a joke prepared by the trip leaders. But the thing was that one of the tripees was a varsity marathon runner and that he ran too deep into the forest that the trip leaders had a very hard time finding him. From then, this joke was banned from the trips.

Informant’s comments: 

Sadly, she did not experience a prank as such during her own DOC trip but heard from her friends who were tricked into similar pranks.

Collector’s comments:

Tags/Keywords: prank, raid, Dartmouth Outing Club, trips

Doc Benton Legend

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Title: Doc Benton Legend

Informant info: SuHyeon Kim is a ’19 currently enrolled at Dartmouth College. She is from Daegu, Republic of Korea, and is hoping to do a double major in Government and Economics. She is currently the chair of BSLS (Big Sister, Little Sister) and works for the McLaughlin snack bar.

Type of lore: Verbal, Tradition, Legend

Language: English

Country of Origin: United States

Social / Cultural Context: Informant was interviewed alone at Dartmouth College. The informant was asked to retell any Dartmouth Outing Club rituals she knew.

As an international student from Daegu, Republic of Korea, coming to Dartmouth was SuHyeon’s first time coming to the United States. Although she is proficient in the English language, SuHyeon is not used to the American culture that coming to college came to her as a big transition. In the process of the transition, she participated in the Dartmouth Outing Club trip, the Organic Farming section. Although she could not recall other rituals associated with the DOC, she could clearly remember the Doc Benton legend. She heard of the legend with all the other tripees on her last day of the first year DOC trip at the Lodj from a trip leader, whom she does not know the name of.

Associated file (a video, audio, or image file):

Item:

This is a story annually told to first year DOC trip tripees on the last day night of their trips. Everyone is gathered in front of the Lodj to be told a story about Doc Benton, who is a doctor gone wrong, rumored to murder people. This folklore’s biggest feature is that it has nearly never have been documented nor written down. The only time it was written down was for a scholarly journal, according to the Dartmouth Outing Club Wiki. Another feature is that at the end of the story, the trip leaders surprise and scare the tripees by screaming at the climax.

Informant’s comments: SuHyeon stated that as she is recalling the general plot of the legend, she is not sure about the details of the plot.

Collector’s comments:

Tags/Keywords:  Benton, Dartmouth Outing Club, legend, scary story, prank