Join us for Camp Alden with s’mores and more

Welcome back to campus, students!

Come explore Camp Alden as we trek through all seven floors of Alden Library on a scavenger hunt; roast late-night s’mores; take in a game of cornhole toss or a few putts of mini-golf; and create some wearable art with our button-making station. Held outside Alden Library’s fourth floor on Thurs., August 26, 2021, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., the event is free and open to the OHIO community. 

Back by popular demand, this year the Libraries is returning to an in-person event to kick off the fall semester.

“My hope is to set the whole thing outside,” said Jen Harvey, the Libraries’ events coordinator. “Outside Alden’s fourth-floor veranda, there will be the preview mini-golf hole, the cornhole boards will be out, the Athens Public Library will be there with their ‘pop-up’ library…in front of Wolf Garden and Campus, Recreation will have some camping equipment, [which will set the whole atmosphere for a camp out].”

And of course, roasting s’mores will be taking place to all who stop by.

Inside Alden Library, students can earn a prize by completing the self-directed scavenger hunt and maybe even learn a little about what the Libraries has to offer along the way.

“The scavenger hunt is so sneaky, just because you have to go to the different floors to learn a little bit about what each of the floors offers,” explains Joey Walden.

Walden, a 2016 alumnus of OHIO who completed two master’s degrees while working as a student employee at the Music and Dance Library, understands first-hand how daunting it can be for new students coming into Alden Library.

“When I first came over from the Music and Dance Library, I was terrified just because of the size of the operation. And I think the [Camp Alden activities] help break the ice a little…[and] you have something fun [to do],” said Walden. “I think it helps tear down that fear of ‘Oh no, I don’t know what I am doing.’ ”

The scavenger hunt, the brainstorm of Harvey and Jacob Jakuszeit, Libraries’ support specialist, is set up for students to explore Alden Library using clues that help demystify the seven floors and maybe learn something—in a fun way.

“The hope is to get students more comfortable and familiar with the services and spaces inside Alden Library. A lot of the second-year students have not even been on campus yet. They may have had a virtual tour, but [many] may not have been in Alden,” explained Harvey.  “We want to introduce Alden Library to our returning second year and first year students—but really, anyone who wants to can come.”

Be sure to mark your calendar to stop by on Thurs., August 26, 2021, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. outside Alden Library’s fourth floor for an evening filled with food, fun and games.

For more information, or to request accessibility accommodations for this event, please contact Jen Harvey.