Welcome to Fresh X!

 YOUR ADVENTURE BEGINS HERE! 

FRESH X IS A PRE-ORIENTATION ADVENTURE EXPERIENCE for first-year students. For the past 23 years, hundreds of students have begun their college careers at Fresh X, spending several days meeting new classmates, being challenged, learning about life at Ohio Wesleyan University, and having fun.

This year we are excited to offer two adventure retreat options for August 2011 and a new Historical Immersion trip for October break:

Wilderness Fresh X:  A World to Explore

This is your chance to join up to seventy-five of your new classmates for camping and high adventure in Hocking Hills, OH.  You'll get to choose activities including rock climbing, canoeing, and day hiking!

Wilderness Schedule

Habitat Fresh X:  Building a New Home

Join this group to work with the Habitat for Humanity Chapter of Delaware County to build a house for a family in need within walking distance of campus. What a great way to get to know your way around the town where you'll spend much of the next four years.  You'll also make new friends, discover more about yourself, and prepare for life at college.

Habitat Schedule

October Break: Camp Joy Historical Immersion Program

The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, the President and Dean's Offices are sponsoring an overnight Historical Immersion Trip during Mid-Semester (Oct. 13th -14th). This is an unique opportunity for 26 of our first year students to personally experience U.S.  and Ohio history.

Students will venture to Camp Joy in Clarksville, Ohio and participate in afternoon community trust building activities to help build camaraderie while encouraging open and honest dialogue. After dinner as night begins to fall, students immerse themselves in the historical experience of a slave which include being sold as a slave in an auction and attempt an escape to freedom along the Ohio Underground Railroad. While attempting to escape, they will meet role players who will either help them to freedom or betray them to local slave hunters. Students will also learn about the Ohio Underground Railroad and history through this experience. Facilitators and camp counselors will help participants explore their challenges along their journey as slaves, reconcile their experience, and share in a dialogue on slavery’s effect on cultural stereotypes and societal implications.  Upon arrival back to campus, participants will continue to reflect on their experiences through shared dialogue circles with the campus community. With purposeful diversity among participants, the shared conversation will increase appreciation for varied perspectives and experiences. This is a wonderful opportunity for first year students to experience and gain a new perspective of U.S. and Ohio history while exploring historical and social influences.

Interested in participating? Check out this flyer and when you're ready to register contact Terree Stevenson, Director of Multicultural Student Affairs by emailing tlsteven@owu.edu

Fresh X is a program of the Student Involvement Office and the Wilderness Ministry. If you have questions or concerns, contact Dana D. Behum, Assistant Director of Student Involvement for Fraternity and Sorority Life/ Orientation Program Coordinator, at 740-368-3188 or involveu@owu.edu. We look forward to your arrival in August.