110 first-year Gaels, one unforgettable day at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, and plenty of new friendships along the way / Photo by Campus Recreation
Boardwalk Bound: First-Year Gaels Kick Off the Year in Santa Cruz
Two buses carried 110 students from Saint Mary’s to Santa Cruz for a full day that included unlimited rides, an all-you-can-eat barbecue, a caricature artist, and a photo booth. The trip was supported through the Student Enhancement Fee and designed to give new students an easy way to meet people and enjoy time together away from campus.
Throughout the day, students moved between rides, games, food, and the beach, often connecting with classmates they had only recently met. For many, the trip offered a chance to step outside the routines of the first few weeks of college and spend time getting to know other first-year Gaels in a relaxed setting.
I really enjoyed being able to spend time with my friends at the beach and go on rides at the boardwalk. I even was able to get on some new rides that I haven’t gone on before, which was pretty exciting!
- First Year Student
More Than a Day at the Boardwalk
The Boardwalk trip is part of Campus Recreation’s Outdoor Adventure program, which gives students opportunities to explore destinations throughout the Bay Area and Northern California while building connections with the Saint Mary’s community.
By the time the buses headed back to Moraga, students had packed in a full day of rides, photos, barbecue, and plenty of new memories — a fitting start to their first year at Saint Mary’s.