Genesee Valley Sustainability Experience

Join the Office of Sustainability on an interactive tour of the Genesee Valley through a sustainability lens. Students kayak and hike their way through the lakes, the valley, and the river that give Geneseo its name and its resources.

The Genesee Valley Sustainability Experience is open to all students attending Geneseo in the fall semester. It is a one-credit fall course, with workload front-loaded prior to the start of the fall semester.

More Information

Dates for Summer 2023: Friday, August 18th - Tuesday, August 22

Program Costs

Fees and Room & Board

  • Early move-in and housing on campus
  • All meals; starting with dinner on Sunday and ending with dinner on Wednesday
  • Activities Fees (canoe rentals, evening activities)
  • Transportation to and from program activities
  • Services of Residence Life Program Coordinator and Geneseo faculty

Total Cost

$350

Financial Assistance

We do have financial grants available for students to subsidize the cost of each trip through the Summer Experience Scholarship and Grants Committee.  All required paperwork for participation in a work trip must be submitted with this request.  NOTE: Students are expected to pay for trip fees if they have the resources and the grants will only cover partial funding for a given trip.  Any participant is eligible to apply.  Just fill out the form.  Please contact Meg Reitz (reitzm@geneseo.edu) with any questions. 

Program Cancellation Policy

Your application (just the google form) will hold your spot until June 30.  A non-refundable $150 deposit is due by June 30 to guarantee your place.  The program is organized and planned in such a way that many of the costs are paid ahead of time as a means of guaranteeing housing/food/activities. 

After July 31, there will be no reimbursement for program costs. 

Your payment in full is due by July 31.

Course Description

This trip is designed to enhance students' connection with the local community and its resources, while diving into a breadth of campus sustainability issues.  This course is for students interested taking an active role in campus sustainability during their college career.

Students kayaking on Conesus Lake

Who Should Apply?

Any and all incoming first-year students and returning students with an interest in sustainability and the outdoors!  No prior hiking or kayaking experience is necessary, but it is encouraged. Enrollment is limited and determined on a first-come, first served basis with spaces reserved for incoming first-year students.

Housing

All participants will stay in their Fall Housing Assignment on campus and sleep there each night.

Food

All meals are provided beginning with dinner on Friday night through breakfast on Tuesday morning.  Students are expected to handle their own meals on Tuesday afternoon; meal plans for first-year students begin on Tuesday night (picnic at Orientation) - returning student meal plans do not start until Friday night.

Transportation

Students should arrange their own transportation to the SUNY Geneseo campus and then we will provide vehicles to transport you to any other destinations.

Supplies

  • At least one pair of good hiking or athletic shoes that they don't mind getting dirty or wet.
  • Comfortable and weather-appropriate clothing
  • Long pants for hiking (there is a lot of poison ivy and pricker bushes, even on the well-maintained trails)
  • Swim Wear (for canoeing and swimming)
  • Sun Screen

Grading

Students will be graded on their willingness to

  • Participate fully in activities and discussions (25%)
  • Short, writing assignment will be due at the end of the summer session (20%)
  • Four reflective assignments due throughout the Fall Semester (30%)
  • Story Map completed at the end of the fall semester (25%)

Schedule

  • Friday: arrive on campus, move into your halls and rooms for the fall semester; join group at central location at 4:00 pm
  • Saturday: Our water story starts at Conesus Lake; Dinner and evening activities.
  • Sunday: Early start and hike the Village of Geneseo, including on campus sustainability tour and discuss water usage; dinner and evening activities at the Homestead.
  • Monday: Early start and kayaking trip down the Genesee River (where our water ends up);  Dinner is on campus, catered by Campus Auxiliary Services.
  • Tuesday: New Student Move-In! Check the New Student Programs webpage for up-to-date information.

Fall Semester

Attend events and write reflections to integrate your curricular, co-curricular, and sustainability interests.

Application and Payment

Visit the Application and Payment page!

Financial Assistance

We do have financial grants available for students to subsidize the cost of each trip through the Summer Experience Scholarship and Grants Committee.  All required paperwork for participation in a work trip must be submitted with this request.  NOTE: Students are expected to pay for trip fees if they have the resources and the grants will only cover partial funding for a given trip.  Any participant is eligible to apply.  Just fill out the form.  

Questions? Please contact the Department of Student Life via phone at 585-245-5851 or email at life@geneseo.edu