UTSA freshmen attend unique orientation

11 freshman go kayaking on San Marcos River

SAN ANTONIO – UTSA is putting a new twist on the old college tradition of freshman orientation. 

Upperclassman with the university's Outdoor Pursuits organization is taking 11 incoming freshman on an kayaking orientation trip down the San Marcos River.

"(It's) a different setting that allows us to provide those same things they would learn in orientation, but outdoors in a smaller group setting," said Jourdaine Kener, with UTSA's Outdoor Pursuits.

It was a pretty attractive way to get to know people and learn about the school for some students, especially since there were only 11 incoming freshman in the group.

"It's not just a huge pool of incoming freshman going to UTSA," said Sean Vallefuoco, an incoming freshman.

"I want to meet new people (and) I wanted to get to know UTSA," said Kaitlin McMeill, another incoming freshman.

The students will actually spend two days on the river. 

The first day they will go on a six-mile trip, then spend the night camping under the stars. Day 2 will be another five-mile trip.

"We're going to be going slowly down the river (so) they can ask questions and talk to each other," Kener said.

They will hopefully learn a few things about the school, and each other, and "hopefully make lifelong friends," McMeill said.

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About the Author:

David Sears, a native San Antonian, has been at KSAT for more than 20 years.