Program
Location and Park Information:
The LandSea program takes place in Killarney Provincial Park, located on the Georgian Bay, south of Sudbury, Ontario. The park is classified as a wilderness park and visitors are required to help preserve the beauty and purity of this natural setting.
Components:
LandSea consists of two main components -an extended backpacking/hiking trip through the park or an extended canoeing trip on the inland lakes. All LandSea participants do both hiking and canoeing, just in different quantities depending on extended trip elected. In addition, each group will have the opportunity, conditions permitting, to participate in a climb, rappel, and a solo. For more information on each of the components, visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.
Participants, Leaders, and Staff:
The group of 90-100 participants will be divided into patrols of 9-10 plus 1-2 trained student leaders. Two patrols, referred to as sister patrols, travel through the park on the same itinerary. Finally, a group of “K” faculty and staff, known as the guides, are responsible for permanently staffing the program, directing the climb and rappel, and all other logistical and administrative matters. Throughout the program, interactions with the leaders, staff, and other participants will provide incoming students with a substantial opportunity to become acquainted with other members of the "K" College community.
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Rappelling |
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Hiking |
Portaging |
Canoeing |
Climbing |
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Goals
“The aim of education is to impel people into value forming experiences to insure the survival of these qualities: an enterprising quality, an undefeatable spirit, tenacity and pursuit, readiness for sensible self denial and above all compassion.”
Kurt Hahn, Founder of Outward Bound
To provide a bridge from high school to “K” College and an opportunity to establish a strong support group among other students
A major purpose of the LandSea program is to provide an opportunity for incoming students to gain orientation to other members of Kalamazoo College. LandSea is part of a larger orientation program, other portions of which occur on campus.
In this program, the leaders, guides, and participants become acquainted with one another at a personal level prior to formal classes on campus. Student leaders provide an opportunity for participants to interact with students who already have had some experience with the College. Student participants interact with one another, thereby obtaining a more realistic concept and understanding about themselves and their classmates. Through these interactions, we anticipate that new students at Kalamazoo College will have substantial exposure and experience with members of the College community prior to the beginning of their formal academic experience.
To further develop as a person: building awareness, esteem, confidence, responsibility, and self-reliance
The physical and psychological challenges that undoubtedly exist on the LandSea program provide opportunities for personal development and for individuals to learn more about themselves. Living in a wilderness environment with nine other individuals encourages participants to take responsibility for their own actions while at the same time learning to rely on other members of their patrol. Successfully completing the challenges of LandSea allows students to become more aware of their abilities and gives them increased confidence to seek out further challenges.
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Prerequisites
Desire to be challenged:
Each individual will be challenged in one way or another at some point in the program. Participants should be willing to accept these challenges, as well as any inconveniences which may arise.
Physical conditioning:
It is important that participants exercise regularly and vigorously prior to the start of the program. Students who prepare by running 3-4 times a week at increasing distances and strengthen their upper body by weight training the summer prior to LandSea are in the best shape to enjoy all aspects of LandSea.
Proper footwear:
It is essential that participants equip themselves with a pair of sturdy, well-fitting hiking boots. These boots should be COMPLETELY broken in prior to the start of the program in order to avoid physical difficulties and discomfort during the trip. Additional information about choosing the proper boots can be found here.
Also, please remember both LandSea and Killarney Provincial Park prohibit smoking! Use of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco products on the LandSea program will result in your immediate removal from the program at your own expense (including forfeiture of fees and transportation home).
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