Campus Life
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Washington College's setting is 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 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
Think big. Awesome music and a professionally executed theme. Some people go all out for this huge formal affair that brings together students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends. 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
- Attend one of the drama productions, staged nearly every weekend. Better yet, join the cast or crew.
- Walk downtown for coffee at Play It Again Sam, catch a movie in the Film Series or at the Chester 5, or head to the Annapolis Mall for a little retail therapy.
- 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 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 Chester River. 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.
- 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 campus sustainability initiative. Volunteer with Rebuilding Together, Kent County's homegrown version of Habitat for Humanity. Mentor local youngsters. Get involved.