St. Olaf celebrated its second annual Duck Day, sponsored by Residence Life on April 15. As it is a relatively new tradition on the Hill, you might be asking yourself, “What’s up with the ducks?”
Duck Day happens once a year. In the weeks leading up to Duck Day, Residence Life might hint at its coming by including ducks or duck-related messaging in its emails. When Duck Day does come, Residence Life members help to hide 100 rubber ducks over the campus early in the morning, along with sending out an email to the school announcing Duck Day and that the hunt is on. If a duck is found, it can be returned to tables set up in Ytterboe for a prize. If you don’t find a duck, you are still able to spin a wheel for a free prize.
In an email interview with The Olaf Messenger, Associate Dean of Students for Residence Life Dean Medley explained that Duck Day is about nostalgia.
“[It] is a resident experience structured around fun and reminiscing about your childhood,” he explained. “This is important because this is a day that we can all find some joy and have some fun.”
Medley explained that he brought the Duck Day tradition with him from another institution.
“The goal of Duck Day is for it to grow over time,” he said. He also mentioned that it’s a good way for students to interact with Residence Life in a non-transactional way.
Medley mentioned the importance of building community through the event.
“Sometimes a student who found a duck will come to pick their prize with five or six friends!” he said, adding that “all residents should be able to find their value in on-campus living.”
Looking forward, Medley hinted at some things to expect for future Duck Days.
“Duck Day can happen at any time of the year,” he said. “So don’t be surprised if the ducks fly in before the first snow one year.”