7 Generations Logistics
When and where do I arrive and depart?
7 Generations 2023 begins at 11 am on August 21 in the Sadler Center with the drop off point being the parking lot behind the building (230 Gooch Drive). We cannot provide housing before Monday. The program concludes the afternoon of August 24 when 7 Generation students will begin official move-in and orientation.
Where will I stay? What will I eat?
Each team will live together in campus ministry houses located near campus. You'll be sleeping on couches and floors, but indoors and with A/C. As a team, you'll also be preparing your meals in the house kitchens. All food is provided by the program and team leaders have a menu (adjusted to fit dietary needs and preferences of participants) for each meal. Actual meal prep is divided among team members, so you'll have a chance to practice - or show off- your culinary skills. A typical day's menu might include cereal or yogurt and granola for breakfast, sandwiches and fruit at lunch, and then maybe spaghetti with farmer's market tomato sauce or taco night. With a focus on sustainability all of our meals are vegetarian, with more adjustments made as necessary for participants.
What should I bring?
- Sleeping bag and pillow, or a sleeping pad and blankets if you prefer. We’ll be sleeping on floors and couches.
- Clothes you’re comfortable being outside in the heat and getting dirty in. You must pack a pair of closed toed shoes!
- Face masks are welcome as teams will be living and working in close quarters and may be working in community with medically vulnerable populations.
- Government issued photo ID
- Sun protection (sunscreen, hat, etc.) and a reusable water bottle
- Toiletries and any required medications. Don’t forget a towel and shower shoes.
- Snacks and spending money are optional. All meals are provided and there is no additional cost to the trip, but you’re welcome to bring a few comfort food items.
Can I drop things into my dorm room early?
Maybe. Most residence halls will be ready for early check in and some will not. We will not know which rooms will be ready until closer to the time of the trips. We work with Office of Residence Life over the summer to notify participants whether their room will be ready for early check in or not.
Note** If you are given access to your dorms, it is only temporary access. You will be able to pick up a key during the drop-off period and then return the key before 7 Generations starts.
How do participants get to/from the program?
7 Generations begins and ends at the Sadler Center (200 Stadium Drive, Williamsburg, VA) and participants are responsible for all travel to and from the program. If students drive themselves to the program, they will be able to store their cars here for the week. The local Amtrak and bus station (468 N. Boundary St., Williamsburg) is a 0.2 mile walk to campus. If participants are flying into the program, we suggest either the Newport News or Richmond Airport. View the Out of Cycle Transit Options provided by W&M Parking Services for suggested ground transit options and discounts.
What's the point?
In the Office of Community Engagement, we believe being part of William & Mary means a responsibility to and a connection with those around us. For us, this connection does not stop at the Wren yard but rather extends to our larger communities - that of Williamsburg, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world. Building off these principles of family, connection, and social responsibility, we sponsor a community engagement pre-orientation program for incoming students.
