Traditions
As one of Trent University’s oldest colleges, Champlain College has several time-honoured traditions that invite new current students into the fold of fellowship in their college.
Scientist/Artist/Alumni/Writer in Residence
Over the years we have had several guests (writers, artists and Alumni) stay at Champlain College to meet with students and give lectures about their work and life as professionals.
In 2015, Distinguished Alumnus Stephen Stohn '66, lawyer and Degrassi executive producer, was selected as our Alumni-in-Residence and students were given many opportunities to interact and learn from him.
Bon Temps Weekend
In the final weeks of January, Champlain College hosts their annual Bon Temps College Weekend. During the weekend there is a college-wide Broomball tournament on our very own personally made rinks behind residence and a FREE dinner for ALL Champlain students.
This is a great social event that spans Friday and Saturday Jan 25th and 26th.
Champlain Campus Recreation Teams
Sign up to play intramural sports for your College team, make new friends and have some fun! Champlain College sponsors a team for every sport offered in the campus recreation league from innertube water polo to volleyball and soccer.
We provide you with a t-shirt and an invitation to attend the end of season Campus Rec banquet. Find out more in the College Office.
Morton Lecture
Named in honour of W.L. Morton, the Canadian historian and former Master of Trent's Champlain College, this prestigious lecture invites a leading Canadian scholar to give a public lecture on their work, and to also lead an intimate seminar primarily for graduate students.
Celebration of Excellence
The celebration of excellence is an academic based reception that honours all students in the Champlain community that have received an 80% GPA from their courses from the previous academic year.
Earn Your Stripes
At Champlain, we want you to strive for success—and we want to reward you for success. In November, the College presents college scarves to First Year students who are successful in their academics, and to those who are actively engaged in college life through programs, activities, or life in residence.
Float Your Boat
This event is hosted by your Champlain College Cabinet. Float Your Boat is a fundraiser for the Peterborough AIDS Research Network. Students put teams together to raise as much money as they can.
Teams then gather to make a ‘boat’ out of recyclable materials and proceed to race their boat down a portion of the Otonabee River. It is a fun event for a good cause!
International Education Week
International Education Week (IEW) is a celebration of international engagement efforts and the vital impact that international experience has on preparing students for the future in a globalized world. Each year, Trent joins over 100 countries globally in celebrating international education, international students, and internationalization.
Learn more about how you can globalize your degree this year!
Formal
Every year in March, Champlain College gets all dressed up in our finest for a catered dinner and dance downtown. People from every year gather to eat and dance their troubles away Champlain style!
Graduates Dinner
Every year all Champlain College graduates are invited to a free catered dinner to celebrate their time here at Champlain and Trent. Awards and prizes are given out throughout the dinner. Students speak of their time at Champlain and reminisce about their last four years.
These students are moving on and will now become Champlain Alumni. Champlain for life!
Holiday Event
In the spirit of the holiday season, this annual event invites all students to gather within the College and reflect on this year thus far and celebrate the joy of the festive season till they meet again in the new year.
Harvest Weekend
In one of the first weekends of October Champlain hosts and celebrates Harvest Weekend. Harvest has a plethora of events. Over the Friday and Saturday of the weekend there is a touch football tournament called ‘The Pig Bowl’. Throughout the weekend there is also a Pub night at the Ceilie, a Chilli and Karaoke night (Chillioke), and a FREE Harvest dinner for ALL Champlain students.
This weekend has something for everyone.
Milk Run
In collaboration with the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA) during frost week, the milk run invites students from all colleges to toboggan down the drumlin with a pitcher of milk in hopes of being the team with the most milk in the pitcher at the end of the round.
This event typically takes place after the winter holiday break and serves as a welcome back for students.
Publication Celebration
This annual event celebrates faculty members of the Champlain community for their outstanding research findings and publication. Students, staff and faculty are invited to come together to hear short presentations about the publications of faculty fellows for the past academic year.
Stress Busters
Every October, December and March Champlain College Cabinet puts together quick and crafty events to help ease the stress of ‘crunch time’. Things such as pumpkin carving, making Christmas decorations and making stress balls have been known to take place in the past.
Trent Temagami Colloquium
Join us for a 4 day excursion at Camp Wanapitei in Temagami, Ontario, to canoe and hike around the wilderness while learning about Indigenous research connected with the land. This wonderful 50 year tradition is being supported by Champlain College, Gzowski College, Trent School of the Environment, Trent study abroad and Indigenous studies.