Coping with the Cold: Winter Recreation at Carleton
Bennet highlights some winter recreational activities and names campus offices that support student wellbeing.
Bennet highlights some winter recreational activities and names campus offices that support student wellbeing.
Hello people,
Hope everyone is in good spirits wherever you are in the world! It is currently 10°F in Northfield as I write this blog post. If you are experiencing winter in any place around the world, especially in Minnesota, you can imagine how cold it can get. During winter at Carleton, many activities take place indoors. There are also some outdoor activities that Carleton students have fun with, taking advantage of the frigid temperatures and abundance of snow on the ground. Broomball and ice skating on the rinks installed on the Bald Spot (our main campus quad) are popular recreational activities, as is Nordic skiing in the arboretum and sledding down Bell Field.
Winter Recreational Activities
Last weekend, my friends and I went sledding down Bell Field at night. This activity is commonly known at Carleton as “traying,” because students use food trays from the East Dining Hall as sleds. Unfortunately, the dining hall was not open. We improvised, using cardboard boxes and a sled from my friend. That night was chaotic. We sled down the field multiple times, rolled on snow, and made too much noise. It was fun.
Aside from the Recreation Center, the ice rinks on the Bald Spot are one of the most visited places this term for students who want to take time off studying to play broomball and go ice skating. Take a look at Andriana’s article as she talks more about these winter activities.
Coping with the Cold and COVID
The ongoing pandemic and the chilly temperatures can be a lot to deal with, but luckily, there are numerous mental health resources that Carls have access to. In addition to providing lots of winter recreational activities for the entire Carleton community to help reduce stress, Carleton has wonderful offices to help students and faculty. For example, the Office of Health Promotion (OHP), Student Health and Counseling (SHAC), and the Dean Of Students (DOS) all do an amazing job at assisting the community during this tough time.
Whether you are a Carl or a prospective Carl, don’t forget to visit these awesome offices for help during your time at Carleton. Moreover, don’t forget to pass by Bell Field or the rink for some outdoor snow experience with friends during winter. Adios!
Ben is a freshman from Bamenda, Cameroon, who is eager to experience snow for the first time. Aside from an interest in Computer Science, he is excited to explore Cinema and Media Studies, Economics, Studio Art, Cognitive Science, and Mathematics. At Carleton, he wants to participate in a few clubs and other campus activities, while keeping an academic-social balance. In his free time, Ben enjoys watching anime and random TikTok videos, listening to music, and hanging out with friends. Meet the other bloggers!