How to make the most of Winter Week of Welcome 2023

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Téa

2 years ago

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What is WOW?

Week of Welcome is a tradition at UVM. At the start of every semester, catamounts are welcomed to UVM with tons of FREE events, treats, and chances to connect with other students! Contrary to popular assumptions, WOW is open to all new and returning undergraduate students, not just first years!

Here’s a run through how to make the most of Winter Week of Welcome 2023 and some of our favorite WOW events! Make sure to check out the WOW page on our website for a full list of activities and events! And keep an eye on UPB’s Instagram to stay updated on activities.

How to Make the Most of WOW:

  • Arrive early if not on time, you never know how packed they’ll be!
  • Grab a group of friends, or go solo! This is the perfect opportunity to meet up with friends you don’t know that well and want to know better! WOW events are designed to help students bond, so these activities are perfect if you want to get to know that one classmate better!
  • Be yourself! You won’t feel a true connection with others unless you are your authentic self.
  • Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself! Events like the Pub Quiz and Mini Golf are designed to create a light-hearted and safe environment for all activity-goers!

Events and Activities:

Below you’ll find eight events that we want to shout-out! There are over 20 events happening for WOW, so this list does not cover all of them! Check out our page dedicated to Winter Week of Welcome to see a full list of events!

Happening All Week:

Group fitness-free week! All classes at Campus Rec are free from January 16th to the 22nd. No need to sign up, just show up, scan your Cat Card, and you’re good to go! Classes include Yoga Flow, Body Pump, Cycling, Zumba, and so much more! Check out the Group Fitness Class Schedule!

Tuesday, January 17th:

Glow Mini-Golf: Grab some friends or come solo and play a round or two of glow mini-golf in the grand maple ballroom (Davis Center)! This is the perfect wind-down activity or a fun way to start your night! Mini-golf opens at 7 PM and closes at 10 PM. You can drop in anytime to get a round or two in!

Little kid dressed in a blue shirt and plaid shorts struggles to hit a golf ball on a mini-golf course

 

Thursday, January 19th

Coco and Community: Join the Prism Center for some hot chocolate and snacks! Have a laugh, meet some new friends, and get familiar with the center! If you’ve wanted to stop by the Prism Center, now is your chance! This event takes place from 4 PM to 6 PM in the Prism Center (L/L C).

beaver grasps the edge of a blue mug filled with hot coco and marshmellows. The mug has a white snowflake on the front

 

Friday, January 20th

Pack the Gut Pep Rally followed by Womens Ice Hockey VS Holy Cross: Stop by the Fireplace Lounge in L/L Commons for free food, sign-making, pictures with Rally Cat, and more before heading to the Women’s Ice Hockey game! The Pep Rally starts at 4:30 PM and ends at 5:30 PM when everyone makes their way to Gutterson Fieldhouse for a 6 PM game! 

Green pom-poms are ruffling over the camera as they quickly lift into the air

 

Saturday, January 21st

Bowling at Spare Time: Show off your bowling skills at Spare Time! No car? No problem! Thanks to the Department of Student Life and UPB, transportation will be provided! Meet at the Davis Center Oval at 8:15 PM for a short bus ride to Colchester! Bowling will take place from 9 PM to 11 PM!

person in all yellow winds-up a red bowling ball three times before releasing it and hunching over

 

Tuesday, January 24th – Thursday, January 26th

Winter Activitiesfest: The staple of every WOW! Head to the Davis Center Atrium between 11 AM-2 PM to mix and mingle with the 200+ clubs and organizations offered at UVM! If you can’t make it, check out the UVM Clubs database!

  • Tuesday, January 24: Arts & Leisure organizations & Clubs Sports
  • Wednesday, January 25: Academic & Diversity organizations, and Fraternity and Sorority Life
  • Thursday, January 26: Environmental, Media, Outdoor, Political, & Service organizations

clip from the movie mean girls: Blond person playing laccrose checks two players while running the field with the ball in their stick

 

Saturday, January 28th

Ice Skating at Leddy Park: Get an hour of free skate with rentals and transportation provided! Students may attend ONE of three 1-hour skate sessions. Buses will leave from the Davis Center Oval at 1:45 PM, 2:45 PM, and 3:45 PM. Skate times include 2:00 – 3:00 PM, 3:00 -4:00 PM, and 4:00 -5:00 PM with a capacity of 40 students each. FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE, SO GET THERE EARLY!!!!

clip from Charlie Brown: snoopy the dog drags two people on ice-skates by a scarf before twirling them in the air where they are released and crash into a tree. Cartoon

Wednesday, February 1st

BLM Flag Raising: Join the Black Student Union in the Davis Center Oval for the raising of the Black Lives Matter Flag to kick off Black History Month! Keep an eye out on the Black Student Union’s Instagram for details and timing! 

Black Lives Matter flag depicted in front of a solid orange background

 

Friday, February 3rd

Winterfest: The infamous Winterfest is back! Head to the Davis Center for a winter-themed takeover, thanks to UPB! There will be hot chocolate, karaoke, a movie, blanket-making, and tons of photo opportunities! Grab some friends or go solo and meet new ones for a night of self-care and community bonding!

three minions from the movie dispicable me are shown hugging and celebrating together with the title "its time to party" above their heads