Photo courtesy of Brooke Sponzo.
Though we’re fortunate to be soaking up the benefits of a fragile Level Green, COVID limitations remain stubborn in fending off many student social events and activities. And because off-campus travel is still discouraged, many Camels are turning to the programs offered by their local Residential Education & Living staff and the Office of Student Engagement for some much needed pastimes.
I hope I’m not alone in prowling ConnQuest on the daily, searching for any intriguing offerings. Life Hack: under the “Perks” tab, you can filter events by “Free Stuff.” I don’t think it’s a bold assumption to guess that’s what we’re all after here. In the following article, I’ll rate a selection of activities hosted by various campus organizations over the course of a single week. So join me on my crafting journey, and perhaps even consider setting out on one of your own.
Paint & Play Night – Feb. 27 (Office of Student Engagement)
Up first: the Office of Student Engagement’s Feb. 27 Paint & Play night. At a designated time, students could pick up supplies from Cro and receive a Zoom link to participate in online games with the improv group N2O. This event came with a wine glass (real glass, too!) and a package of paint markers (which were actually fantastic; I’m considering using them for my Costume Design course renderings). This was a very calming activity that I’ll give a 9/10 rating. I am subtracting a single point because the wine glass did become unconducive to drinking from after being painted, as acrylics are generally aquaphobic. However, that didn’t bother me much because it still makes an excellent pencil holder. Overall, a wonderful experience.
Mug Cake Night – March 11 (Office of Student Engagement)
The next event I took part in was the Office of Student Engagement’s March 11th Mug Cake Night. After signing up for this activity, students could stop by the organization’s office in Cro to pick up a sole packet of chocolate chip dessert mix. A big box of such packets can be purchased from Target, Walmart, and other local stores for a whopping two dollars and fifty cents. Am I bitter? Maybe a little. Let’s just say this DIY was a tad too do-it-yourself, and the thin wafer of hardtack that came out of my microwave was astutely underwhelming. Also, quite difficult to scrub out of my mug (yep, it didn’t come with a mug). Rating: 3/10. I think the advertising posters for this one cost more to print than the actual event supplies did.
Stepping Stone Decoration Night – March 11 (Knowlton House)
A third event I attended, also on March 11th, was Knowlton’s Stepping Stone Decoration Night hosted by REAL. This is my first 0/10 because the event planners never showed, which is really too bad, because I would’ve loved a good rock to paint. On a similar note, I attended KB’s March 12th DIY Spotify Album Plaque activity and arrived at the preapproved time to once again have no event coordinators ever show. Though a cool crafting idea in theory, I have to also give this one a 0/10. Sorry.
Plant & Paint Basil Pots – March 13 (Morrison House)
That same weekend, I really stretched my crafting endurance and attended Morrison’s March 13th Plant & Paint Basil Pots, also hosted by REAL (whom at this point, I was understandably losing faith in). The posting on ConnQuest started this event off on a low note by being incredibly confusing in regards to where and when this activity was to take place, so I was surprised I found my way there at all. Another misdirect by ConnQuest was the vibe that anyone from any dorm could attend. They could not, apparently. I did however snag one pity pot (unpainted) and am waiting patiently for my basil to grow (yes, it was only the seeds). Rating? 2/10, because I did at least get something even though I had to scoop soil with my bare hands. You better grow, little plant.
Women Authors Mystery Book – March 14 (Larrabee House)
The next day, pursued by the grand promise of a free book, I headed down to Larrabee for their Women Authors Mystery Book event. In the description of this activity, women-written novels would be wrapped in paper for students to choose from at random. The event began at noon, and I arrived to the location at ten past to find, for the third time: no event planners present.
Because this particular misfortune had occurred thrice now, I got to thinking that perhaps dorm-specific REAL events are more fluid and informal in nature. If this is the case, and if their cancellation is only notified to residents of the dorms hosting them, then ConnQuest should be more specific by either not letting outsiders RSVP or by noting in the description that particular events are open only to residents.
Plant a Succulent – March 16 (Hillel House)
My crafting expedition concluded with a March 16th trip to the Hillel House to attend their Plant A Succulent event. The event planners were particularly welcoming and my new Ox Tongue is an excellent addition to my dorm room. I’m happy to give this activity a 10/10 rating.
I concede by saying that I enjoy any and all opportunities to get crafty, so even the slightly slacking events are enough to lend some degree of school spirit. I’ve also attended many Office of Student Engagement and REAL staff events in my time at Conn, and over half have been nothing but wonderful. It’s the under-halfs that keep Conn humble.
