The college experience is all about trying new things. And most students crave adventure once in a while. SWEBOP provides an outlet for those needs as well as a gateway for Sweet Briar students to make the most of fall in Central Virginia.

Sweet Briar's outdoor adventure program is run by Laura Staman, SBC director of outdoor programs, who leads a team of dynamic women who take students about anywhere they'd want to go. Whether it's up in the air - hang gliding and rock climbing - or underground and beneath the waves - caving and scuba diving, SWEBOP has something for all skill and interest levels. The fall 2004 schedule is full of varied activities for SBC students, their guests, and Sweet Briar community members.

First-time adventurers needn't worry: SWEBOP's activities are as flexible as its instructors are compassionate. Guides can help students through parts of activities they may feel uncomfortable with or they can take a break and sit it out. On the other hand, there's nothing to keep an athlete who wants to push herself from having a blast.

Kayaking, whitewater rafting, river canoeing, fly-fishing, and plenty of hiking excursions are among the activities in store for October and November. Opportunities for camping also abound. With the help of rental supplies, outdoors literature, and maps of area trails in the SWEBOP office, campers can arrange their own trip or stay in the Sweet Briar outing cabin. Located less than a mile from the main part of campus, the cabin was built in the 1930s for students seeking a nearby getaway. Use of the cabin requires a safety-oriented certification session that takes place in mid-October (see schedule below).

An exciting trip planned for the fall Reading Days class break is the Rock and Raft trip: three days of whitewater rafting and rock climbing in West Virginia's New River Gorge. This excursion is also open to students at Hampden Sydney College. And young women who would like to do something besides the fall formal can check out the rock climbing lock-in. It can be just as much fun but is cheaper and involves less preparation time.

For those in search of beautiful photo ops, a calmer way to experience nature, or perhaps just an excuse to get outside on a regular basis, the College offers weekly hikes through Sweet Briar's extensive trail system. Students can earn an education credit through a hiking class or just hike for the enjoyment of it.

The SWEBOP events sign-up area is located outside the office on the ground floor of Meta Glass. Large bulletin boards covered in sign-up sheets and photographs of past events flank the office door. To register, simply write your name on the list for the specific event.

For more information, please visit or call (434) 381-6369.

SWEBOP Schedule - Fall 2004

• October 1-33-9 p.m.Raft and Climb New River Gorge, w/HSC


• October 82:30-6:30 p.m. Hike the Blue Ridge


• October 91-5 p.m.Outing Cabin Certification


• October 152:30-6:30 p.m. Hike the Blue Ridge


• October 16 3-5 p.m.Canoeing with Families


• October 223-6 p.m.Volunteer Environmental Work Day


• October 23 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Devil's Marble Yard Hike


• October 29 2:30-6:30 p.m. Hike the Blue Ridge


• October 30TBALeadership at LC with Jasper Hunt


• November 5 2:30-6:30 p.m. Hike the Blue Ridge


• November 6 TBAFly Fishing Trip


• November 13 - 143-12 p.m.Indoor Rock Climbing Lock-In

- Story by Angelica Guarino '06