<p>Is The Odyssey offered by Davidson Outdoors (www3.davidson.edu/cms/x7067.xml) something that a lot of incoming freshman do? Is it a worthwhile experience? How much would a freshman regret not having done it? General pros and cons?</p>
<p>My D did not do Odyssey because she had a summer job that precluded her being in NC during any of the Odyssey trips. I don't recall her being especially disappointed that she could not go (though somewhat anxious about possibly missing out on something fun and valuable). I also don't think she especially regrets that she did not go--has had many opportunities to get to know other students in the time since then (she's not a first-year). I think it was nice for the kids who did go to get a chance to meet each other and bond ahead of time but the groups are small enough so that there are still many people you have not met--it isn't as if it were all one big group. I imagine some of the students who post on this thread canprovide you with their perspective, which may differ.</p>
<p>Davidson does a very good job with its on-campus all-freshman orientation for several days in August before classes start. It is great for the parents (a day and a half) and then better still for the kids, whose orientation lasts considerably longer and obviously moves into high gear once the parents havee gone. Bottom line: I would not worry either way about Odyssey; if your son wants to go and it works for his schedule, then great; and if it doesn't, by Labor Day weekend it probably won't matter one way or the other.</p>
<p>I also did not go on Odyssey but I had many friends who did. Personally I was worried about not going before I came, but then as soon as I got here I realized it didn't matter. Freshman halls are full of people anxious to know you from day one! However, Odyssey was a great experience for my friends who did it, they said it made them feel more comfortable coming in as well as if they did back country it completed 2 of their PE requirements before they ever started. It is a nice way to get ahead and to meet people! So overall I think the people who did it are really happy they participated, but those who didn't don't feel that disappointed either!
Hope it helps!</p>
<p>D did Odyssey [Habitat for Humanity version], and enjoyed it. Gives you a go ahead on meeting people . . . </p>
<p>Davidson, unlike many other schools, does not have a long freshman orientation. This is the orientation's substitute. If you are neither on campus for this nor athletics nor whatever before the "Thursday allowance" to unpack bags, you may become overwhemed. Friday, freshman are swamped with things to do, and by Saturday, they are so inundtaed that parents must bear the reality that it is time to say good bye. On Sunday, they are finalizing matters and on Monday, they are in class full time. D had tests before Friday's completion.</p>
<p>Nothing like a hands on LAC.</p>
<p>I am a freshman now, and I loved odyssey. It's great fun, and gave me a reason to be excited about going to college. While all my friends were sad to be leaving home, I couldn't wait to get to Davidson and see my odyssey friends again. It allows you to meet about 50 members of your class, become very close friends with 5 or 6, and share a common experience with about a third of your class. I did backcountry and loved it, but I know many people enjoyed service as well. I very strongly reccomend Odyssey to any new davidson student.</p>
<p>That being said, if you cannot go on Odyssey you will be fine. Only about a third of the class does it, and the 5 day orientation before school allows you to meet many new people and provides a nice introduction to the school.</p>