Activities
Time to Socialize
Great Books participants love to talk, socialize, find out about everything. There are breakfast and lunch times to talk with others, even about the readings. These are the best of the week. Freely shared, with amiable people, in a relaxing environment. Colby provides many venues for talk, reading, and just hanging out.
Newcomers Orientation
This is your first visit to Colby and, of course, you're going to have lots of questions. A suggestion - pretend you're a journalist with a journalist's five basic questions -
Who, What, When, Where, and Why. Expect to hear questions similar to yours - and different. These will likely help you for the coming week.
There is an orientation session for newcomers on Sunday evening where the events of the week will be described; and where you will meet the person from Colby who is our contact
for any problem relating to your needs on campus. You will also meet key Colby College staff.
On Sunday evening, the newcomers will meet members of the Council for Colby Great Books who are seasoned participants who will be available throughout the week to deal
with any need you have relative to the program. Be sure to get to know them.
On Monday afternoon you will have a chance to meet with other new attendees to familiarize yourself with what goes on at Colby. There will be opportunities to ask questions and make new friends.
Hopefully, you will have fun learning and laughing with them all.
When you return to your home, saturated with your Colby Great Book experience, share that with with your friends. Perhaps, they too will become part of our
expanding Colby Family.
You will meet volunteers who have been to Colby for some time. They understand how one's first time on campus can be confusing.
Use your volunteer for any issue large and small. And be sure to ask them about their experiences in past years.
Want clean air and spacious campus to roam? Want to visit an au courant bookstore with books by local authors who are well known and intelligent?
Want to see something else beside your daily routine?
Walk with me ...
Talk with me ...
Share with me your mind ...
Recreational Activities
After discussions, participants are invited to use the many recreational, athletic and cultural opportunities available
on campus for free.
In addition to an informative opening night orientation and the ever popular Thursday evening
Talent Show (strictly voluntary and always a lot of fun), there are a wide variety of activities.
Colby’s beautiful campus features an impressive, classic library with a fascinating Rare Books Collection,
a highly rated Art Museum, excellent athletic facilities with an Olympic- sized swimming pool, tennis courts, and an arboretum with hiking trails.
There are occasional lectures and films related to the readings and themes of the week. In the past, these productions have been well attended.
The movies and lectures have not yet been selected, so keep checking for information on the upcoming projects.
In addition, our week of Great Books at Colby is scheduled in conjunction with the Atlantic Music Festival
(www.atlanticmusicfestival.org), also held on campus, which provides a series of excellent free classical concerts
and recitals, some of which take place in Colby’s stunning, new Performing Arts Center.
Talent Show
There is a talent show on Thursday night that is long on laughter and maybe not so much on talent. Having said that, we have had participants perform who are professional singers, pianists, stand-up comics and dancers.
This event is strictly optional for all would-be-performers with stage fright. In recent years we have had the joy to watch our kids, our boys and girls at the Colby Kids Camp, perform skits they have written. Watching that energy and burgeoning talent is alone worth attending.
Special Needs
For those who have special needs for getting around campus, rides with other participants can sometimes be arranged. For those in need of help getting around campus, there's even our cart - propelled regularly by helpful, caring campus staff who will pick you up and deliver you safely to your on-campus destination and then return to bring you back - all with just a phone call reservation.
Spread the Word
We would also love it if you would spread the word about what happens at Colby. Ours is not a simple story to tell. One factor from that is most of our newcomers come based on the recommendations of friends or family who have attended Colby.
So if you enjoyed your week, won't you please be one of our best sales people and spread the word.
Friday Night Lobster Bake!
Don't forget to sign up for the Friday Night Lobster Bake.
Not a lobster fan - pre-order fish, vegetarian, or steak. Prepared for you for easy eating.
The sides are amazing.