Fall break is normally a time for students to attain some sense of restfulness through visits home or to off-campus locations. This is not the case for fall season varsity athletes, such as the women’s soccer team at Swarthmore. Instead of heading home, we stayed on campus to prepare for two critical games and filled our break with fun team bonding activities. From a competitive match in Baltimore, Maryland against Johns Hopkins University to a memorable overnight trip in Carlisle, Pennsylvania for our game against Dickinson College, this fall break was one to remember.
Our first game of the break took us to Baltimore, Maryland to face off against Johns Hopkins, one of our toughest opponents of the season and the two-time defending conference champions. The energy was high as we stepped onto the field, knowing we’d have to be at our best to compete with such a strong team. Though the game was intense, the experience brought us closer together, both on and off the field. Two days following, we had an overnight trip to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to play Dickinson. It was a chance for us to bond as we traveled, stayed together overnight, and played an exciting match the next day. The trip gave us time to connect beyond just soccer. In the hotel, we got into groups and choreographed dances for our annual team lip sync competition!
But these trips for soccer matches weren’t the only thing keeping us busy. In between practices and matches, we had five team bonding activities that made fall break feel extra special.
First, we held a team movie night, where we watched Hocus Pocus. We congregated in our senior’s apartment and turned it into a mini-theater, complete with blankets and snacks, and watched a movie together. It was a great way to unwind while spending quality time off the field.
We next planned a cookie decorating activity with the men’s soccer and volleyball teams—to bring a little festive spirit into the week. It was a great way to hang out with other athletes on campus, share laughs, and enjoy some sweet treats together.
Later in the week, we held a s’mores night, where we baked s’mores indoors so as not to burn down the Crum Woods (usually we would gather for an event like this around a campfire in Crum Woods, but it was unsafe to do so this time because of the lack of rain recently). We sat around the apartment, talking, laughing, and enjoying the warm, gooey treats.
One of our team traditions is an excursion to Linvilla Orchards, just 15 minutes from campus. We spent the day walking around, visiting the farm animals, and sampling fresh apples and cider. The crisp fall air and vibrant autumn leaves made the outing feel like a quintessential fall experience. The area around Swarthmore is unbeatable and really puts you into the Halloween-autumn spirit!
Lastly, we enjoyed our annual lip sync competition, where we split the team into groups and have an all out lip sync competition. Everyone got into it, with some teammates going all out with costumes and choreography. We had so much fun laughing at each other’s performances and cheering one another on. The competition brought out our playful side and gave us some hilarious memories.
While many students spent their fall break at home or off-campus, our team made the most of the time by growing closer as a unit, both on and off the field. From fierce competition to shared laughter, it was a week that strengthened our bond and reminded us of how much we love being part of Swarthmore’s women’s soccer team. This break showed that no matter where we are—whether at Swarthmore, on the road, or visiting a local orchard—there’s always room for connection, growth, and fun. Fall break is a time to unwind and as Swarthmore students, we chose to be on our lovely campus enjoying our fellow Swatties.
