Baltimore

The Baltimore site utilizes the actual campus of Johns Hopkins University. Although it houses the main administration for CTY, it was not made into an actual site until fairly recently. It is also considered the strictest site, and has the fewest traditions. Baltimore is where many of the newer rules come from. It has no set Canon other than American Pie.

As of 06.1, Baltimore now has a set canon (not in order):

• American Pie - Don McLean
• Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
• Blister in the Sun - The Violent Femmes
• Everytime We Touch - Cascada
• Sandstorm - DaRude
• Forever Young - Alphaville
• Let It Be - The Beatles

As of 07.2:

• Hey There Delilah - Plain White T's (subject to change)
• Livin' La Vida Loca - Ricky Martin (subject to change)
• Build Me Up Buttercup - The Foundations

In addition, the dances only last until 9:45, rather than 10:30, and songs will get partially played after American Pie as everyone is leaving.

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Baltimore. Well, what everyone says about the lack of traditions is quite true, and it's also true that the RAs are generally very strict. In 07.2, flashlights and sleepovers were banned (*gasp*), although with a bit of sneaking around and hiding you could manage to get into each others' rooms. Neighboring dorm rooms could also tap messages with Morse Code through the wall. Tylenol, Advil, Aspirin, and Ibuprofen were all confiscated by RA's, but it's handy to stash a few in your pillow or wardrobe just in case.

From what I hear, the food was a lot better 07.2 than other years, there being French fries, pizza, grilled cheese, hot dogs, pasta, and a sandwich and salad bar everyday. The macaroni and cheese was amazing. The scrambled eggs got runny and goopy though... and the food was basically the same thing every day. There's also an ice cream freezer that gets restocked occasionally.

Dances played sub-par music, much to the dismay of most of 07.2. It is true that a canon is starting up, as far as I know.

JHU: As of 07.2: How to Survive an Illegal Sleepover

An experienced veteran's account of how not to get caught.

1. Set it up wisely:

Make sure you know who you're going to be rooming with; don't bring too many people in, otherwise the noise will attract RAs on patrol. Bring only the bare essentials; never bring mattresses! Make sure there is a closet or space underneath the bed or the desk where people can hide if necessary. Messy rooms are the best; two students during 07.2 pretended to be a stash of clothes underneath the bed and remained undetected by the SRA.

• At JHU, absolutely no cross-hall sleepover ambitions (ahem, Joe D.). This will surely result in the downfall of any sleepover hopes.

2. How to sneak in:

Some RAs are rather lenient about sleepovers; a common policy is don't ask, don't tell. If your RA "allows" covert sleepovers, getting into buddies' room before lights out won't be a problem.

• One really important note: if there is no one in the room, make sure all lights are out! If the lights in your empty room are on, suspicions will be aroused when an RA sees light coming through the peephole and knocks on the door. This is a recipe for disaster.

So, if your RA is strict about following the sleepover rule, sneaking out after lights out isn't very difficult either. Around 11:30, open the door a crack, check for RAs, then call your friend to tell him to come (or to tell him your coming). Be quick and absolutely soundless.

3. Behavior during sleepover:

No loud music, no loud talking, no yelling or screaming of any kind, no loud laughing, and always use common sense. If lights are on, put a towel over the crack beneath the door and block up the peephole. Talk quietly and always be on edge for signs of RA patrols.

4. If an RA knocks:

Be worried, but don't panic. Remember, silence is key. If the RA hears noise, he or she will start demanding the door to be opened immediately. Those not supposed to be in the room should immediately scramble into the predetermined hiding place (see tip number one). Open the door and remain nonchalant as the RA scans his eyes over the room. Keep your fingers crossed.

5. If you do get caught:

Punishment at 07.2 for illegal sleepovers was not as bad as expected. The 7-8 people involved missed out one activity period on the weekday. They were taken to the administrative office. They were forced to sit their silently for an hour. Arbitrary rules meant to make the punishment hell were created, such as no laughing, talking whispering, gesturing, reading, listening to ipods, drumming, humming, whistling, and blinking. Then, each student was given pen and paper and forced to write a page in which they apologized and described their motives and mindset prior to the sleepover. Students were forced to help with the worst of office chores. This included folding giant plastic tarps, sorting board games pieces into their respective box, testing markers to throw away the ones that didn't work, and sorting a pile of playing cards from a dozen incomplete card decks.

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Okay, I have been here. It's not too bad, and it may be the strictest, but it's really not as bad as it sounds. The fobs work all the time, at least they did last year (2005); however, TAs patrol it. However, with deception, underground tunnels, and a bit of pad-footing, you can get back to your dorm. There is no canon, as mentioned, but the songs aren't too bad. The quad is pretty good, and there are French fries and hamburgers every day. The dorm rooms are also very nice, with carpets. Plus, there is a whole building for all the boys and one for all the girls, so you don't have to stand by the door to your friend's building and shoot rubber bands at his window usually.

There is one thing JHU is famous for: Benedict! Hi, Benedict/ Zeus, I hope you're reading this, but you probably aren't. I was the friend of that guy you wanted to "run for Benedict next year."

Who is Benedict? He's famous, that's who he is. Why? I don't know. He's famous for being famous. He went around to all the dorms, writing "Benedict Day" on all the holiday calendars for the middle Wednesday. Not much happened on Benedict Day, except for Benedict sneaking up on people and yelling, "Happy Benedict Day!" If you plan on going to JHU, perhaps you should run for Benedict!

But it's no Lancaster; this is like CTY for trainees. If you go to Lancaster your first year, you could drown in the overwhelming tradition! Of course, if you go to Baltimore, you could drown in the overwhelming lack of tradition. -Max K.