Home » Res Life

Category Archives: Res Life

Categories

Need Outdoor Activities for Fall in Huntingdon? Look no further than these destinations!


Every year at Juniata, my friends and I like to search town for fun activities to do near campus. Even in my senior year, we’re still finding new places to fill up our weekends.

Some of our favorite locations include a classic trip to Raystown. Sometimes we go down to the Seven Points Marina, where we have Mountain Day every year. It’s fun to enjoy our own little mountain day, but once it gets colder and the leaves start changing, it’s still fun to go hiking and take in all the sights. 

Seven Points Marina, Raystown Lake

You can also go up to Hawn’s overlook, which not only overlooks the dam at Raystown, but provides beautiful views at any time of the year! It’s just a short, flat trip down a trail from the parking lot, and it not hard to get to. It’s a nice place to sit back, relax, and enjoy the view.

Hawn’s Overlook, Raystown Lake

Another place my friends and I love to go to is further down the lake, called Trough Creek State Park. This state park is beautiful, with a lot of trails and breathtaking views. My friends and I try to visit here as often as possible, and I think that’s because this place provides some of the best scenery that central Pennsylvania has to offer. There is a wide range of trails to choose from, as well as picnic tables to enjoy a nice lunch in the sun. 

Trough Creek State Park
Trough Creek State Park

For people who really enjoy hiking, the Thousand Steps is another good place to visit for nature lovers. I remember being very shocked to find out that it is actually 1000 steps, but if you can make it to the top, you won’t regret it. The views are just too good.

Thousand Steps Overlook

If you’re looking to get into the Halloween season, there are other, more seasonal attractions, such as making the trip down to the Lincoln Caverns for their annual Ghosts and Goblins tour, which features a tour of the caves, which have been decorated to resemble a haunted house. It also features a ride through the surrounding woods on a wagon. It’s a great way to explore what the area has to offer while enjoying the spooky season!

 Overall, there are a lot of fun outdoor activities to do in Huntingdon and the surrounding area. If you’re into hiking or nature, there are a lot of places to explore, not just the ones I named here. I haven’t even begun to name all of the outdoor attractions that are available, but I have named some of my favorites. My friends and I often find ourselves scrambling to try everything new that we’ve discovered while also making time to visit some of our favorite places.

No matter what you choose to explore, there is always an activity that allows you to enjoy the beautiful autumn days in central Pennsylvania. Make sure to take advantage of our perfect placement in the middle of the outdoors! 

Thousand Steps
Trough Creek State Park

Five Things You’ll Forget to Bring for Fall Semester

Let’s be honest: on Day 2 of the fall semester, you’ll wake up in your half-made bed and curse yourself for not having the forethought to bring a water bottle. As your parched throat cries out for water, you’ll suddenly realize that the only option in these COVID times is the shower. We’ve all been there! Last year, when I forgot to bring dish soap, I was in denial that the bathroom hand soap was NOT an adequate substitute for all of my cleaning needs. Not to worry, I have compiled a list of things that, over the past three years, I routinely forget to bring with me to college. Hopefully, this will help you prepare for this coming fall semester. Enjoy!

Frisbee (or other lawn gear)

Sometimes on a warm fall day, you’ll find yourself looking out at the expanses of lawn and wonder, “Wow, I wish I had something to do out there.” Every fall, the frisbee team likes to take over and in the spring there are always some freshman guys that play catch or Spike Ball on the North lawn. Do yourself a favor and find a way to enjoy these beautiful open areas: bring a book, bring a hammock, bring a chair – SOMETHING.

(more…)

A Beginner’s Guide to Adulting on Campus in the Summer

I never understood adulthood until I had to buy my own silverware. While I was excited to start my new independent life (and first full summer out of my parents’ house), I was nervous to take on the responsibility of taking full care of myself. I couldn’t rely on late night burritos from Baker if I was hungry or the complimentary toilet paper in the residence hall bathrooms if I decided to eat the burritos.

(more…)

Ranking Juniata’s Dorm Kitchens

Daniel Muleady ’22, Multimedia Production and Analysis POE, My Mom Thinks I’m Special

“It’s not about what kitchens you cook in, it’s about which kitchens you choose.”

1. Tussey and Terrace (TNT)

Ladies and gentlemen, the TNT kitchen.

Best dorm kitchen on campus. I say this because if I need some sort of pot or pan, the TNT kitchen will usually have it. Has an extensive spice collection on the side as well. Out of all of the freshman dorms, it’s not even a competition for who has the best kitchen (Lesher would be 2nd).

(more…)

“The Moove-Out Process”

Daniel Muleady ’22, Multimedia Production and Analysis POE, My Mom Thinks I’m Special

It can be as pretty or as not pretty as you plan it to be.

If you can line up your summer storage options, get rides to airports, and clean your room in time, you won’t have to deal with the giant ball of stress that swells up inside one of your ear canals in the latter part of the semester.

Hypothetically, let’s say you don’t do that. Let’s say you’re me. Entering my senior year, I don’t think I’ve really nailed the whole “move-out process thing” that everyone seemingly has figured out. Freshman year. Sophomore year. Junior year. Three strikes. But in this hellish ballgame, there are actually four strikes required to retire the batter so I’m ready to be locked in for senior year move out.

Here is a three-step process that covers about 89% of the problem areas of move-out:

(more…)