From a pub crawl to the storming of the Bastille, and from sports games to an afterparty, there is another packed programme this year. The Kick-In starts on Wednesday 19 August and runs until Thursday 27 August. Besides the opening, Vennekens is particularly looking forward to one of the newer elements of the programme: the ‘floating start’.
‘Instead of doing a warm-up in the park, this year we are organising an intensive workout in the outdoor swimming pool, led by watersports association Piranha’, she says. Ultimately, the introduction programme is mainly about getting to know each other, according to Vennekens. ‘It is about having a good time together, while the new students get to know Enschede, connect with associations, and quickly make new friends.’
The pieces are falling into place
According to Vennekens, the number of registrations is comparable to previous years. Incoming first-year students can still register for the nine-day event until the Kick-In starts.
For the committee, the final phase is now beginning. ‘During the summer, we worked five days a week, from nine to five’, says Vennekens. ‘Despite the quietness on campus, we were busy, but it was also a lot of fun.’ The most important matters had already been arranged and ticked off before the summer. Now, the final details are being taken care of. ‘One of these days, the landmark will be set up: the large tent. On Monday, the rest of the campus will be set up, followed by the official handover of the keys to the crew on Tuesday.’
The final communications are also being sent out. ‘Now that we are emailing the last information to participants and associations, all the pieces are falling into place. I’m excited, because it is strange and surreal at the same time that it is really happening now’, says the chair.
The approaching Kick-In is also bringing out nostalgic feelings among crew members, Vennekens has noticed. ‘A lot of people care about the Kick-In. I can see that it means a lot to some of them. It is wonderful to see that level of involvement. We want to put on a Kick-In that is just as enjoyable as the one we experienced ourselves.’
Drought
The warm and dry summer also means extra attention is being paid to the weather conditions during the Kick-In. UT is also having to deal with the situation. ‘I was already keeping an eye on next week’s weather forecast today’, says Vennekens. According to her, conditions will be closely monitored for each activity.
‘Our safety coordinator is aware of the situation, as are all the crew members. Because of the heat, we will be handing out water and encouraging people to drink enough throughout the event.’ For now, no changes to the programme are necessary.
