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For those used to the madness of surburban sprawl and urban bustle, Washington College's rural setting is a refreshing change of pace—and a transformative element in your college experience. In historic Chestertown, the Chester River—with waterfront activities ranging from sailing, kayaking and waterskiing to hunting and fishing—is practically at your doorstep.
The town has been described as an "authentic" Williamsburg, with thriving businesses and restaurants, a restored art deco theatre, a weekly Farmers' Market, and lots of preserved colonial charm.
College Traditions
The All-Campus Picnic
The Sunday before the first day of classes in August, everyone gathers in Martha Washington Square for food, music and conviviality. It's a good place to meet some of your professors and to make some new friends. Be sure to stick around for the fireworks.
War on the Shore
Washington College is serious about lacrosse, and usually a serious contender for the national title. No game draws more fans than this one, pitting the Shoremen against their Eastern Shore rival and nemesis, Salisbury University.
George Washington's Birthday Ball
It's like your high school prom, only ten times cooler, with better music and a professionally executed theme. Some people go all out for this huge formal affair, but you can go a little crazy and wear a thematically-inspired costume. Don't forget your camera!
Greek Life
You don't have to go Greek to have a social life at Washington College, but they do throw great parties and do great things for the community. Roughly 15 percent of the student body belongs to a fraternity or sorority, each of which has its own traditions of social activities and philanthropic work, which often go hand-in-hand. Proceeds from Zeta Tau Alpha's Mr. Zeta Contest, Kappa Alpha's Mardi Gras Night, and Alphi Chi's Casino Night, for instance, benefit local charities.
What to Do With Your Weekends
Finished all your reading assignments? Well, get out there for some R&R. The best thing about college? You can hang out with friends. Anytime. Anywhere. Here are just a few suggestions:
- Tune in: WAC Radio offers continuous music, news and sports coverage, and student shows.
- Walk downtown for coffee at Play It Again Sam, catch a movie at the Chester 5, or head to the Annapolis Mall for a little retail therapy.
- Attend one of the drama productions, staged nearly every weekend. Better yet, join the cast or crew.
- Listen to music. Or join the Musicians Union and make your own. There's Open Mic Night at the student center and live bands at O'Connor's and Andy's downtown. The Student Events Board brings a national headliner (Rusted Root and Dashboard Confessional were here) to campus each spring. The Concert Series offers top-notch performances throughout the year; the string quartet Cuarteto Casals followed its campus appearance with a performance at NYC's Carnegie Hall.
- Go to the gym. Power Hour is killer! While you're there, sign up for an intramural team or register for one of the recreational outings—hiking, skiing, fishing and rock climbing are popular trips.
- See the sights: Bike along 20 miles of country roads to Cliff City, a public landing on the Chesapeake Bay. Take a road trip with the C.V. Starr Center. Pack your sunscreen and spend the afternoon at Betterton Beach. Take a nature hike through Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge. Visit the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in nearby St. Michaels. Enter the raft race during Chestertown's Tea Party weekend. Visit Dixon's Auction, a weekly cultural phenomenon, every Wednesday at the crossroads in Crumpton.
- Tune into the Multimedia Channel or develop your own video productions.
- Participate in club-sponsored events, talk politics in the Senatorial Colloquy, and help determine campus policy through the Student Government Association.
- Make the world a better place: Join the George Goes Green initiative. Volunteer with Rebuilding Together, Kent County's homegrown version of Habitat for Humanity. Mentor local youngsters. Get involved.