
Menu
A spirit of adventure and community connects today’s tripees with their predecessors.
In 1935, as a means of boosting membership, the Dartmouth Outing Club (DOC) extended an invitation for a “get acquainted trip” to members of the incoming Class of 1939. Sixteen first years and a few trip leaders set off on that inaugural first-year trip.
By the 1960s, half of each incoming class was participating in the new tradition. In recent years, over 90 percent of each incoming class has elected to go on the optional trips, which remain student-led and nature-focused.
Every year, trips begin in Hanover with “croo” members and trip leaders introducing “tripees” to one another through ice-breaking activities, including learning how to dance “The Salty Dog Rag.” Individual groups set off the following day to connect through experiences in nature that can include hiking, mountain biking, climbing, canoeing, farming, and sailing.
After two nights in the outdoors, groups reconvene at the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge, as so many classes have done before them.
All photos courtesy of the Dartmouth Library.