Outdoor and Recreation Programs
The Outdoor and Recreation Programs try to combine activities for advanced athletes, for novices, and for those who simply like to be outside. All events are planned by the Director of the Program and the Athletic Committee. As with the social life at Marlboro, the types of activities from year to year are often determined by student interest and enthusiasm. On most fall weekends there are rock-climbing, hiking, or canoeing trips headed by the Program's Director, as well as short afternoon hikes. Volleyball, soccer, basketball, ultimate frisbee are organized as on-campus activities and soccer and basketball as competition with other schools. Cross-country and down-hill skiing, ice skating, ice climbing, and winter camping are all offered through the Outdoor/Recreation Program during the winter months. The College provides cross-country skiing equipment to those interested, in addition to informal lessons or clinics and local trail orientation. For down-hill skiers, Mount Snow, Berkshire East, Haystack, and Stratton Mountain ski resorts are within a fifty-five minute drive of the College. An annual all campus Broomball tournament in January is an event not to be missed.
For those who prefer to stay indoors, the College has a game room with ping-pong, fooseball and pool tables, as well as an exercise room with a rowing machine, weights, and exercycle. A Town Meeting membership also provides access to the Colonial Spa in Brattleboro with pool, steam room, sauna and jacuzzi. In addition, a large indoor climbing gym is now in the Whittemore Theater. The facility is open on a schedule basis and at random hours contingent on the availability of trained volunteer wall monitors. Exercise and dance classes are offered almost daily in Brattleboro. During the warmer months, there are public tennis courts available at Living Memorial Park in West Brattleboro.
Woods Orientation Program
Woods provides a transition experience for students just entering the campus community. These trips, hosted in the last week of August, are designed to provide participants with a working set of group living skills and a thorough introduction to one or more outdoor sports or activities available here in the area. The experience regularly provides participants with a broad network of friends and contacts to start off their time at Marlboro College.
The trips are student lead by a select group of volunteers. In exchange for their time and energy leadership, first aid and group dynamics training are provided free of charge each year. Woods leaders may also elect to apprentice with the Outdoor Program or to pursue additional specific training and certification outside of the program via means of a Leadership Training Fund set up for that purpose.