Orientation weekend retreat

The program begins with a weekend orientation retreat which will be held at the University of Minnesota’s Itasca Biological Station & Laboratories which is located in northern Minnesota. This weekend retreat provides an opportunity for participants, graduate student coordinators, program staff and some of the faculty to meet and get to know each other before becoming dispersed in separate laboratories across the Twin Cities campus. Everyone will participate in structured group activities and lectures with plenty of free time to explore and enjoy the surroundings and each other. Below is the tentative schedule for the orientation weekend.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Depart U of M early afternoon
Dinner enroute
Arrival at Lake Itasca

Friday, May 29, 2009

Morning

Breakfast
Orientation Session One
Get to know you activities
Breakout sessions with Seminar Coordinators

Afternoon

Lunch
Bog Tour – Dave Biesboer
Pontoon Rides
Free time

Evening

Dinner
Graduate student panel
Bonfire

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Morning

Breakfast
Orientation Session Two
Wrap up any unanswered questions

Afternoon

Lunch
Canoe Races
Volleyball Tourney
Scavenger Hunt
Free time

Evening

Dinner
Talent Show
Bonfire

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Pack & clean up cabins
Brunch
Depart for Twin Cities