<p>Trying to choose, so ........ would any current students care to comment on their (or word-of-mouth) EphVentures experience - WOOLF, Bridges, Where Am I, whatever? thanks</p>
<p>A large majority of kids (70%?) do WOOLF. It's a lot of fun. Even if you're not really into backpacking and the outdoors, I'd probably recommend a beginner WOOLF trip over the other orientation options, because you get much closer interaction with the other kids in your group. The couple people of I know who did WAI? and Bridges said that the content of the programs was sometimes interesting, but that they just did stuff with their group during the day and came home to sleep in the almost-empty dorms (since most people are gone for WOOLF).</p>
<p>But then, maybe I'm biased because I'll be a WOOLF leader next year. :-)</p>
<p>i'm not so sure if I can stomach woolf...definitely not into hiking. A lot of the prefrosh said they were doing woolf..</p>
<p>looking at doing WAI</p>
<p>Yeah, the amount of gear required made WOOLF too expensive for me...I just signed up for WAI? instead. I think it'll probably be a smaller program, so the participants might get to know each other a little better, as well.</p>
<p>I hate to disappoint, but I'm not so sure about WAI letting kids get to know each other better than they would in WOOLF. As jeke pointed out, WAI activities are only during the day, and the nights tend to be pretty boring. I did WAI when I was a freshman, but though the activities were pretty interesting and fun for the first few days, as time went on, more and more kids lost interest in the activities, and by the end, probably only half of the original group bothered to show up for scheduled events. Keep in mind that though WOOLF groups tend to be larger, they are together 24/7, so they really have no choice but to get to know one another.</p>
<p>Lears_Pearl -
I think you can borrow the gear for free from the Williams Outing Club for WOolf.</p>
<p>As for WAI - yes, maybe it is not as much a bonding experience as WOOLF as you wont be with your group 24/7 and streak the JAs and other WOOLFies (kidding) but it's still a great experience. The purpose of WAI is to engage you to our community here and let you guys know that your new community extends beyond the purple bubble of Williamstown. Some residents of areas such as North Adams, Pittsfield, bennignton etc are not as fortunate as us Williams students (socioeconomically and otherwise)and they could really use our help. That is why WAI groups spend a substantial amount of time doing community service (we call it community engagement) at nearby organic farms, elementary schools, soup kitchens etc. There are also roadtrips,picnics and other fun stuff. WAI is not as intense as WOOLF, but it will help you bond with the beautiful berkshire area and assume your responsibility as community builders. After all, the Berkshires will be you home for the next four years.</p>