What is LandSea?
LandSea is an optional, outdoor pre-orientation program for Kalamazoo College students that occurs before first-year orientation. In its 50-year history, more than 2,000 students have used LandSea as a way to acclimate to the College and build support networks before beginning the fall term.
What to Expect
- Build new friendships before college starts – every participant is placed in a small group of 6-8 incoming students with 2-3 leaders who are current or recently graduated K students
- Spend time in the outdoors – hike, canoe, climb, paddle, cook, sleep, and more over the course of the program with your small group
- Experience new adventures and challenge yourself with the support of your fellow participants, your leaders, and the LandSea staff
- Increased confidence in your own abilities and talents
- Participate in service projects to give back to the land and people we interact with. These service projects vary from year to year
- And more!
Why do LandSea?
Build connections
One of the most powerful benefits of participating in LandSea is the opportunity to make connections with new and current students prior to beginning college. Getting to know the student leaders on trail allows ample time to orient to life at K and get connected to resources and opportunities on campus. Friendships that begin on LandSea are often fundamental to the connections that are made within the first year at the College.
Transitioning to college & positive impacts of Outdoor Orientation
Participation in outdoor orientation trips like LandSea has been shown to be positively associated with many important factors to student success, including: social connectedness, feelings of belonging, campus involvement, independence, and even increased retention and grade-point averages! LandSea provides incoming students with tools, conversations, experiences, relationships, and support systems to help them feel better equipped for their first year at college.
PE Credit
Students who participate in LandSea will receive 0.2 credits towards their PE requirement. All Kalamazoo College students are required to complete one credit of PE in order to graduate.