Activities

Activities are held at all sites. They are structured, non-class events that students can sign up for each day. Although some activities occur at nearly every site, each site has its own traditional activities, too.

What, When, Where

Activities are held in the afternoon, between the after-lunch class session and dinner. There are two per weekday, one right after the other. At some sites, one is a weekly activity, while the other is a daily. Some also call the first activity the "A.M." activity; the second, logically (or not?), is known as the "P.M." activity, although this is rare, seeing as both occur in the afternoon.

Activities last either 45 minutes or an entire hour, depending on the site. There are usually many choices for activities, and for the most part, one will sign up for activities during hall meeting on the day before. The activities are led by one or two RAs or other staff members, and can range from doing absolutely nothing, to traditional games like Silent Football and Mafia, and even to extremely active, physical sports on the campus's sports fields.

Other non-Activity activities include Mandatory Fun and Quad Time, which is known at some sites as Meet Market or Social Time.

Standard Activities

These are standards at most sites, and occur frequently.

• Music Practice - During this activity, students go with an RA to a free building on campus to practice assorted musical instruments. It is usually cramped, noisy, and/or un-airconditioned, and there are only ever a few pianos, if any, and some students instead practice in their own rooms (although it is sometimes against the rules). At Saratoga, this is a morning activity, much like morning run.
• Running - This activity can occur both during an activity and, at some sites, in the morning, when it is called "Morning Run."
• Book Discussion - A very common activity when a new Harry Potter book has come out, which won't ever happen again.
• Movie Watching - During this activity, films are shown: Harry Potter movies, Musicals, Monty Python... basically anything rated PG-13 or lower. Lancaster has none of these.
• Generic Free Time - These activities usually go by different names like Cloud Watching or Sleeping, and take place indoors or outdoors, depending on site. Basically, it is free time at an appointed location.
• Dinner Alternatives - Usually in the Activity period just before dinner, this activity can range from anything from a BBQ to a vegan party to Jewish Cooking (Carlisle). Sign-ups are limited, and the activity occurs very rarely or not at all, such as at Lancaster, Los Angeles, or Saratoga.
• Mafia - The classic game.
• Sports - Assorted organized sports on campus.
• Swimming/Tennis - Only offered if the campus has facilities (such as Lancaster and Carlisle) and sometimes takes up both activity blocks for that day.
• Pilates, Yoga, or Meditations

Traditions

Each site has its own traditional activities. Feel free to add yours onto the lists.

Lancaster

• Acting Improv (AI) - Funniest. Activity. Ever. You can participate or just watch the madness.
• Agreedball - Bounce a ball agreeably across sidewalk squares.
• Board Games - Offers a variety of games, but many students prefer to bring their own due to the inevitable shortages.
• Card Games - Bring some cards and enjoy the many CTY card games such as Mao, President, and ERS.
• Cloudwatching, Chillaxin', Reading Under the Trees, Naptime, Invisible Fireworks, Daytime Stargazing - Assorted names for free time; usually held outside on the Quad near Thomas.
• Competitive Number Counting
• The Couch Game
• Courting and Wooing - RAs take it very seriously; handouts are sometimes included. Can be absolutely hilarious.
• CTY Jeopardy
• Discussion Group (DG) - CTY Traditions, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Harry Potter, World Domination, etc. No other book discussion groups besides Harry Potter are common.
• Extemporaneous Debate - Created by RA David Bing.
• FLAAR - "FLAAR cannot be described, but only experienced."
• Follow the Hager - Follow RA Brain Hager around for an hour, chanting his name. Helps some sqirrels get to learn the layout of the campus (on the last day of activities). Some just think it's fun. There was also a variation of "Follow the Wang/Frank" and in 08.1, an activity called "Follow the Tom." The activity was on a temporary hiatus in 2007 due to a lack of Hager.
• Fun With Duct Tape - It's DUCT TAPE! Of course there's an activity for it!
• GLOW (Gay, Lesbian, or Whatever) Discussion Group - A fantabulous activity with lots of awesome people.
• How to Survive a Zombie Invasion - ...Pretty self-descriptive.
• LARTH (Languages of Antiquity Research for Thrill and Honor) - These consist of one-hour introductions to some obscure language. In LAN 06.1, Etruscan and Cuneiform (mostly of the Sumerian variety) were offered.
• Music Singalongs - Disney, Wicked, Rent, Canon, etc.
• Movie Trailers - But no movies.
• Mural Painting - On South Ben, to 'give back to F&M College', or some such. It looks nice.
• Silent Football - The traditional Lancastrian drinking game. Two circles are usually formed, one for experience players (with a student dictator) and another for newcomers (with an RA dictator)
• Sports in Mayser Gym - More competitive.
• Sports on Hartman Green - Less competitive.
• Sudoku
• Talent Show Practice
• Tournaments - Quiz Bowl, Ultimate Frisbee, Agreedball, Soccer, Tennis, Swimming, etc. The Poker Tournament is always held on a weekend.
• Tree Hugging
• Ultimate Frisbee
  • Non-Ultimate Frisbee

Carlisle

• Kline - First activity on the list for each activity period. Double-Kline: to do Kline both activity periods.
• Ballet 101 - To get in touch with your inner Rina.
• Bizarro CTY
• Chalk Graffiti
• Chillaxin', Cloud Watching, Naptime, Staring blankly at the ceiling with your mouth hanging open - Assorted names for free time.
• Colonization - Because Rich is British and Chris is insane (and likes to wear capes). BURN THE PAGANS!!!!!!!!
• Craps in the Super Quad Arch
• 80's Dance Party/Singalong
• Discussion Group: East Coast vs. West Coast Rap
• Discussion Group: Feminism
• Don't Pick This Activity! - A Skidmore tradition brought by a flying squirrel, C.J., and run by the amazing Dan.
• Feet Painting
• Fun With Duct Tape
• Fun With Fluff That Marshmallow Stuff
• The Game
• Guitar Circles
• How to survive a Zombie Attack - Run by RA Drew. Learn handy phrases and ways to survive Zombie atacks. Such as how to say "Are you being eaten by a Zombie?" in sign language.
• Kill Murray/Save Murray
• Meditation
• Music Appreciation - Various types, including Indie, Showtunes, and the Beatles.
• Musical Theatre Singalongs - Out of tune pianos (with pieces falling off), Oberlin RAs, and piles of sheet music.
• Pirates vs. Ninjas
• Places You Can't Go - During 08.1, some of the tour stops were Brett's room and the catwalk above ATS Auditorium.
• Poetry Circles
• Silent Football
• Slackjaw
• Sock Puppet Super Fun Time
• Swing Dancing - Usually run by Chris White. The main goal of swing dancing is to, "Look cool."
• The Worst Activity Ever. - Usually a pointless activity rewarded with Massey's, although sometimes not.
• And most importantly...Starcrash.

Saratoga Springs (Skidmore)

• Chillaxin', Cloud Watching
• DOOM
• Do Not Sign Up For This Activity!
• Fun with Duct Tape
• Boffer Wars
• Talent Show Weekly
• Got Game? - Learn how to pimp out the ladies (and gents).
• Ninjas vs. Pirates vs. Cavemen
• Noodle Bashing!
• "Reading" by the Duck Pond
• Ultimate
• Improv
• Pet Rocks
• R.A.S.K. (Random Acts of Senseless Kindness)
• Sidewalk Chalk
• SNAKES!!!

Los Angeles (LMU)

• Art of War
• Backstreet Boys Appreciation
• Bananaphone Appreciation
• Braveheart
• Cavemen
• Cloud/Smog Watching
• Color Book Brian
• Disney Movie Appreciation
• Duct Tape Jason and Brian to a Tree
• How to be a Central American Dictator
• Kemps
• Make Bil' a Merman
• More Active Than Sleep (But You Probably Won't Break a Sweat)
• MP3 Appreciation
• Protest (Down With the Man)
• Robot Wars
• Sidewalk Chalk
• Sudoku
• Swing Dance
• Talent Show
• Trench
• Ultimate Frisbee
• Wah!
• The Worst Activity Ever (seriously)
• The Worst Movies Ever (over 100 kids signed up for this weekly)
• Yearbook

Baltimore (JHU)

• Acting Improv (of course)
• Do You Want To Buy A Duck? - Involves waterguns and RAs holding you hostage.
• Downhill Rolling
• Friends Trivia
• Friends Watching
• Hula Hoop Contest
• Kindergarten Games - Involved inappropriate phrases during Whisper Down the Lane.
• Manga Appreciation
• Music Practice
• Ninjas/Cavemen - See the Memories:JHU for details.
• Real Men Wear Pink - Inspired by RA Ben walking around in very, very, very pink shorts.
• Ridiculous Dancing
• Silent Reading, Cloud Watching
• Spelling Bee - In which not one person spelled a word correctly in the first round.
• Sports: Tennis, Basketball, Soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, etc.
• Starburst Flowers - Yummy.
• Swimming
• Talent Show Rehearsal
• The Worst Activity EVER

Easton

• SNAKES!!!
• FLAAR - A card game developed by the RAs.
• Easton Science Theater 300(0) - Based off the show Mystery Science Theater 3000. Oftentimes showed the Rambo animated series episode "Battlefield Bronx."
• Star Wars Galactic Senate - Sit and talk about Star Wars.