a student slides down an inflatable bouncy house slide that is blue, red, green, and yellow

Signature Events

Ready to have some fun? You're in the right place! It's time to explore all of the signature events hosted by the Office of Student Engagement.

The good, the great, and the glorious.

Our number one goal: Bring the Champlain community together. We know college can be stressful and students juggle a lot of responsibilities and competing priorities. That’s where we come in. We bring the fun and organize events that help you let loose, de-stress, and connect with your peers. It’s a reminder that your college experience is a balance of academics, career preparation, and social life. So let’s get to the good stuff!

Summer Events

  • a group of about 20 students sit on a huge rock in front of a big pond with green mountains and blue sky in the background
    Summer Launch

    Summer Launch programs are a great way for new students to get acclimated to Champlain prior to Orientation. We invite admitted students to come stay on campus, or at an off-campus location, to explore topics like our esports program, outdoor adventure in Vermont, women’s leadership, and more.

  • a group of 19 orientation leaders wearing matching blue shirts stand on a short wall that says "champlain college," raising their hands in the air and cheering
    New Student Orientation

    We might be biased, but we think New Student Orientation is the best event of the year! From move-in to the President’s Welcome, orientation group programming and ice breakers, to academic advisor meet-ups, and more, this is your time to settle into Champlain prior to classes starting.

Fall Semester Events

  • Outdoors two students stand behind a table promoting library social hour
    Activities Fair

    The Activities Fair is your chance to hear about and meet folks from all of the different student clubs and activity groups offered across campus! Representatives from various Champlain offices and departments are present as well to introduce you to the services available to you.

  • group of students pose for a photo booth
    Spirit Week

    Our Spirit Week theme? Camp Champ! Each fall, we host a series of events for Spirit Week, ranging from craft and movie nights to our carnival on Finney Quad. Think: photobooth, raffles, inflatables, lawn games, and more.

  • three students smile in their halloween costumes. one is wearing devil ears and one is wearing a witch hat
    Halloween Dance

    Get your best Halloween costume ready, because when it comes to spooky season, we throw a mean Halloween Dance! We have a new creative theme each year, so be on the lookout.

  • two students wear pirate hats and costumes at a table filled with mardi gras beads
    Late Night Breakfast

    As classes wind down for the fall semester and finals soon approach, Student Engagement teams up with Sodexo for Late Night Breakfast in the dining hall! Students enjoy some breakfast for dinner and also dive deep into the event theme and the additional fun activities offered.

Spring Semester Events

  • four students pose in formal wear in front of a big curtain with lights on it
    Snowball Dance

    Put your dancing shoes on and head downtown with us for the annual Snowball Dance! Enjoy music from a live DJ, food, and friends.

  • a student jumps over a big moving lever on a big yellow and black inflatable carnival obstacle course on the aiken lawn
    Spring Meltdown

    Spring Meltdown is the perfect way to end the year! The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and you just finished classes for the semester. Enjoy some sweet treats, raffles, inflatable obstacle courses, and more the Friday before finals.

  • twenty students pose for a photo on the deck of the ethan allen boat cruise with lake champlain visible in the background
    Senior Week

    Senior Week is the week leading up to Commencement and is a time for the graduating class to come together and celebrate their Champlain journey together. Events include a boat cruise on Lake Champlain, bowling, Bingo, a tour of Vermont restaurants and breweries, and more.

All-Campus Events

  • family at alumni event
    Champlain Weekend

    The Office of Advancement hosts our annual alumni and family weekend each October. We love to welcome alumni back to campus and meet new families for the first time! Catch the Office of Student Engagement at the carnival and food truck event, hosting lawn games, and more.

  • chauncey plays cornhole with admitted students outside on the terrace
    Admitted Student Days

    Every spring, we welcome admitted students and families to campus for Admitted Student Days! It’s always a joy supporting the Office of Admissions in these events as we show the incoming class what Champlain is all about!

Weekly Programming

  • SAP Events

    Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, the SAPs (Student Activity Programmers) give students the opportunity to come together for a variety of fun events. This includes free bowling nights at Spare Time in Colchester, big prize Bingo, trivia, game nights, and beyond.

  • intramural basketball team
    Intramural Sports

    Get your game on and join an intramural sport! The sports offered can change from semester to semester, but you can count on offerings like basketball, volleyball, soccer, esports, and the like.

  • Students in fireside lounge preforming during The Grind with a red hue of light
    The Grind

    The Grind Open Mic Coffeehouse kicks off in Fireside Lounge every Wednesday. Take your talent to the stage and show your classmates what you’ve got!

Seasonal and Specialty Events

  • Sugarbush Bus Trips

    We’ll take you to the mountain, all you have to do is buy your $75 season pass! Student Engagement offers bus transportation to Mt. Ellen one day each weekend throughout the winter months during spring semester. Students can sign up for a bus spot by visiting the HUB desk in the IDX Student Life Center.

  • a group of students raft down the river surrounded by high walls of rock
    Off-Campus Trips

    When you live in as beautiful of a state as Vermont, you have to get out and explore! Our team organizes off-campus events so you can experience all Vermont and nearby areas have to offer. Recent trips include Ausable Chasm and Smuggs zip lining.

  • students play soccer in the gym while wearing big bubble inflatable outerwear
    Specialty Events

    While we love consistency, it’s always nice to mix a little bit of spontaneity into things! That’s where our specialty one-off events come in, such as bubble soccer, capture the flag, and more.

Stay In-The-Know About Campus Events

  • hundreds of students gather on the green for orientation
    The View Events & Stall Street Journal

    Stay up-to-date on everything event-wise at Champlain by checking in on The View Events hub and the Stall Street Journal.

    Filter by the event category you’re most interested in.

    You can submit your own student-run club events here, too!

    The View Events Hub

Office of Student Engagement

Location

IDX Student Life Center

Contact Us