2026 Adventure Blocks (Required)

Dive into the exciting challenge of performing contemporary a cappella with RPI's 5 a cappella groups for a great day filled with music. Get to know the members of The Rusty Pipes, The Rensselyrics, Partial Credit, Duly Noted, and RPI Raaga to experience what collegiate a cappella is all about! Singers and vocal percussionists will have the opportunity to showcase their talents by learning and performing one song from each group's repertoire. This program is perfect for individuals with an interest in or experience with singing or vocal percussion/beatboxing, but no experience required!

Hosted by The Rusty Pipes, The Rensselyrics, Partial Credit, Duly Noted, and RPI Raaga 

Saddle up for a day of fun with RPI Equestrian! Whether you're a seasoned rider or new to horses, join us for a barn day filled with riding, team-building games on the farm, and a picnic! It's the perfect way to try new things, make friends, and enjoy the outdoors!

Hosted by RPI Equestrian

Join RPI Cycling for a fun, social bike ride and picnic at a local park. We will ride a variety of trails from paved bike paths to mountain bike single track, depending on what you want. All skill levels are welcome, but you must know how to ride a bike. Bikes and helmets can be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own if you have one. Come enjoy the outdoors and meet other students!

Hosted by RPI Cycling

Kick off your day with RPI’s Black Student Organizations at a fun, full-day event with breakfast, games, and great company. Get to know the African Students Association, Black Student Alliance, National Society of Black Engineers, and Caribbean Students Association while meeting new people and building community.

Hosted by African Students Association, Black Student Alliance, National Society of Black Engineers, and Caribbean Students Association

Enjoy a fun day outside with RPI Habitat for Humanity! Join us for a hands-on service experience where students can work together to make a meaningful impact through teamwork, leadership, and volunteerism. Participants will take part in collaborative building activities, connect with fellow students, and learn more about the mission of Habitat for Humanity in an engaging environment. This event is a great way to meet new people on campus and start your college experience off with purpose!

Hosted by RPI Habitat for Humanity

Does crawling around underground through mud, rock, and water with only the light from a headlamp sound like fun to you? If so, then you should join the Outing Club to explore Clarksville. This trip is for those who aren’t afraid of getting dirty and willing to step outside their comfort zone. Clarksville has some crawls/squeezes in addition to more open passages. To go on this trip you will need to wear synthetic layers and hiking boots, as it will be cold in the cave. Gloves (cheap gardening gloves) and kneepads are highly recommended.

Hosted by The Outing Club

Are you interested in planes? Want hands-on experience with RC plane building? Looking into joining an engineering club? Come build RC planes with RPI Design/Build/Fly! Learn the basics of RC airplanes and put them into action in this full-day adventure block. When you're finished, watch your designs soar through the skies, or crash spectacularly! No prior experience is needed–we'll teach you everything you need to know and more.

Hosted by RPI Design/Build/Fly

Join the RMA for a day to play big band charts and get to know your fellow class of 2030/31 musicians. Sign up if you have experience playing saxophone, trumpet, trombone, drum kit, bass, guitar or keys!

Hosted by the Rensselaer Music Association

Do you enjoy hiking and being outside? Join the Rensselaer Outing Club on an all-day hike up Mount Greylock. This is an intermediate hike, covering 5.5 miles and 2,100 feet of elevation. Mount Greylock has beautiful views and waterfalls. You will spend the day hiking outside, with a lunch break at the summit to enjoy the views and take a rest.

Hosted by The Outing Club

Mentors will guide new students on a multi-species pursuit at Grafton Lakes State Park. All skill and experience levels are welcome to come and join us on an outdoor adventure. Knowledge and equipment will be provided.

Hosted by RPI Fishing Club

Ever wanted to survive in the zombie apocalypse? Ever wanted to play NERF in college? Come sling foam out of blasters with RPI's Humans vs Zombies club and try your best to stay alive with your classmates as the horde of zombies grows. Don't have your own blaster? Don't fret, we have some for you to borrow.

Hosted by Humans vs Zombies Club

Do you love movies? Ever wanted to create one of your own? If you answered yes to one of these questions then come on down to UPAC Cinema’s NRB event where students get to spend the day creating a short film with your peers. We encourage students to bring laptops and whatever props needed for their film ideas. After showing off the short films, students will get to vote on the best one for a special prize.

Hosted by UPAC Cinema

Like Trains, scale modeling, logistics, or challenges? Then join the Rensselaer Model Railroad Society as we travel to Kevin Surman's beautiful HO scale New York and Long Branch Railroad. You will be given the opportunity to replicate the real railroad by running trains in a model railroad operations session.

Hosted by Rensselaer Model Railroad Society

Spend the day playing the beautiful game. Members of RPI Men's and Woman's Club Soccer teams will lead fun drills and games, allowing participants to practice their skills and meet others who enjoy playing soccer.

Hosted by Men's Club Soccer and Woman's Club Soccer

Join RPI Circle K for a rewarding day that combines community action with well-deserved fun into the new year! We will kick off the morning exploring at Frear Park, where we will work together to clean up the trails, help with planting, and preserve one of Troy’s most beloved parks! Following the clean-up, we will celebrate your hard efforts with some ice cream as we work on some fun service projects. This event is the perfect opportunity to meet fellow RPI students, connect with Circle K members, and learn about our mission as a club! No prior experience is needed, just a willingness to give back to the community and have a good time!

Hosted by RPI Circle K

The RPI Flying Club's Introduction & ESAM (Empire State Aerosciences Museum) Visit + Tour! event is designed to provide first-year students with an immersive experience in the world of aviation. The day-long program begins with a club presentation on the RPI campus, where attendees will learn about the club's mission and the various opportunities it offers. The group will then travel to the Empire State Aerosciences Museum for a guided tour, exploring the museum's extensive collection of aircraft and aviation artifacts. The RPI Flying Club welcomes aviation enthusiasts of all levels, from seasoned pilots to those new to the field, inviting anyone with a passion for planes and flight to join in the club's activities.

Hosted by The RPI Flying Club

From sending images with a walkie-talkie to hunting down hidden transmitters, you will be able to experience many of the opportunities the world of amateur radio has to offer! In the morning, participants will explore campus and learn how to send photos of campus over the air with handheld radios and free and available software. In the afternoon, participants will engage in a Fox Hunt, using a radio receiver to hunt down a hidden transmitter.

Hosted by W2SZ, RPI's Amateur Radio Club

Come play contemporary Wind Band repertoire with RPI's student run Wind Band! You will be spending the day learning multiple pieces with members of the Rensselaer Music Association's Symphonic Band and Studio Orchestra. The experience culminates in a performance of the pieces at the end of the week. You will also get to learn about the different music groups the RMA has to offer and meet members of the student musician community on campus. Instruments will be provided, and rentals will be available for students who want to rent for the semester or year. 

Hosted by the Rensselaer Music Association

Make a difference by volunteering with InterVarsity Rensselaer Christian Association. Come with us as we volunteer at the Patroon Land Farm in Voorheesville, NY! Help with the planting, watering, and picking of different foods and flowers, all of which directly go to help the community members in need. Do all of this and more while connecting with other incoming students and established members of InterVarsity.

Hosted by Rensselaer Christian Association (InterVarsity)

Come meet America’s Pep Band and get a feel for what we’re all about! Bring your instruments; we’ll play some of the music we play at hockey and football games. Sousaphones and percussion will be provided, and, if needed, we may be able to provide woodwind and brass instruments. All instruments and skill levels are welcome!

Hosted by RPI Pep Band

RPI’s iconic Pushball tradition is back, and you won’t want to miss it. Picture this: teams of students, muscles flexed, pushing a massive ball—6 feet in diameter, weighing a hefty 50 pounds—across the field, aiming to shove it into their opponent’s goal. It’s part football, part circus act, and all excitement! Why should you get involved? Because Pushball embodies the spirit of RPI—innovation, teamwork, and a dash of delightful absurdity. Plus, the winning team walks away with limited-edition swag. Fuel up with snacks and refreshments during matches, because nothing says “victory” like a well-earned snack break. So grab your sneakers, channel your inner giant, and let’s push our way to glory!

Hosted by Red & White

Are you a music enjoyer? Then consider: We teach you how to dance to wide range of music. It's a great way to be active and meet people at the same time! We teach everything from the traditional ballroom dances you think of like waltz and tango, to social dances like cha cha and salsa. Never danced before? No problem! We're the cure for two left feet. Already a dancer? Your skills will translate wonderfully to ballroom! Join us for a comprehensive crash course in two dances!

Hosted by RPI Ballroom

Looking to stay active, improve your swimming, or just try something new? Join RPI Club Swim for a fun and welcoming aquatic experience open to all skill levels. Whether you are a competitive swimmer, a former high school athlete, or someone who simply enjoys being in the water, this session offers a great introduction to our team. Participants will take part in a structured but low pressure practice led by experienced swimmers, including technique work, optional sets, and relays. You will get a feel for what club swim is like at RPI, team oriented, flexible, and focused on both improvement and enjoyment. No prior competitive experience is required. Just bring a swimsuit, goggles, and a willingness to jump in!
 

Hosted by Club Swim

Do you have an interest in volunteer work and helping others? Are you looking for a new and exciting activity to pursue at RPI? This program will teach some basic EMT skills and you will get to tour our ambulance and emergency vehicles. Participants will learn the ins and outs of emergency medical equipment and patient care that is performed by EMTs every day. Beyond the Siren - Meet RPI Ambulance will be a unique experience and leave participants with useful knowledge they can use in everyday life.

Hosted by RPI Ambulance

Join us to play some board games with friends! We will have a wide variety of games available to play. There will be party games like Coup, Cat in the Box, and We're Doomed, and some longer games like Azul, Sagrada, and Heat. If you want to play some laid-back board games or some exciting party games, this is the block for you!

Hosted by RPI Board Game Club

Do you enjoy escape rooms? If you do, come on down to RPI TV's escape room where you and a group of other incoming freshmen will escape from one of RPITV's Facilities. Also, join us on a tour of our broadcasting facilities including our control room in the Houston Field House, ECAV, and our office in the union.

Hosted by RPI TV

Have fun making some red string bracelets and fidgets with the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE)! Talk and connect with current students and peers through fun activities, gain some insight about college life, and learn about all the professional and social development opportunities that SASE has to offer!

Hosted by Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers

Welcome to the club softball home run derby! Join us for some warmups and field games, all leading up to the opportunity to show off your skills with a bat! No experience necessary and beginners encouraged! Folks of all gender identities are welcome to participate. Come try out something new or come back and play some ball!

Hosted by Club Softball

Come learn how to make empanadas with the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) at the Cocinando con SHPE adventure block! This is a great chance to explore Hispanic culture, meet new people, and find out more about SHPE on campus. Don’t miss out on this hands-on experience!

Hosted by Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers

Come experience College Radio with WRPI Troy and get involved with radio broadcasting, live production, and the technology that brings it all together! With this program, incoming students have the opportunity to explore a decades-old station with high-quality equipment, over 60,000 vinyl records, couches, and a diverse, social community connected by a general love for music.

Participants will have the opportunity to get involved with the many departments that make college radio happen. Whether it's getting hands-on technical experience with producing and mixing live music, getting first-hand experience on-air as a DJ, or exploring the ins and outs of the technology it takes to output 10,000 watts of pure college radio, WRPI provides a fun, social environment for people with music interests of all kinds.

Hosted by WRPI Troy

This adventure block is a hands-on robotics activity where you work in small teams to build and operate a 1 lb combat robot using a provided kit. Participants will be placed into 3–4 person groups and given all the parts needed to assemble one of several pre-designed robot builds. The focus is on teamwork, basic robot assembly, and learning how key robot systems work. Once the robots are built, teams will choose a team name and compete in a tournament. Matches will be run in a double-elimination bracket, giving teams multiple chances to compete. This competition emphasizes teamwork, communication, and hands-on problem solving while providing an introduction to robotics through an engaging challenge.

Hosted by RPI Robotics Club

Quadball is a captivating, mixed-gender sport drawing inspiration from sports like rugby and dodgeball. Played with seven athletes, players race to outplay and outscore their opponents in this fast-paced, unique game that is played at the club level against other colleges in a national league. Come try out the sport with the RPI Quadball team to make new friends and learn the game in a fun and energetic environment.

Hosted by RPI Quadball

Are you nervous to leave home? Worried you'll miss your family's cooking when you go to college? Are you Filipino? If you said yes to any of these questions, join RPI's Philippine American League's NRB block! With us, you'll meet some of our current members, learn to cook Lumpia and Turon, and get to know one another. We are open to anyone and everyone, no prior cooking skills needed here!

Hosted by Philippine American League

Join Women in Business for a program that'll help boost your communication skills. Start by creating a personal branding and LinkedIn and end with decorating your own cupcake! All are welcome, regardless of major or gender.

Hosted by Women in Business under The Lally School of Management

Try out Dance Dance Revolution, a rhythm game where you step to the beat, on our arcade pads! Even if you've never played before, we will help you get accustomed to the game with our expansive list of songs!

Hosted by Dance Dance Revolution Club

RPI Eighth Wonder is RPI's biggest (and only) K-Pop and Street Dance cover group, bringing together a community of students who share a love for dance, performing, and having fun. As part of this NRB, incoming students will get the chance to learn choreography step-by-step, build confidence in movement, and get a taste what it's like to be part of our community through two beginner-friendly workshops. No prior experience is required—just come ready to move, have fun, and connect with others!

Hosted by RPI Eighth Wonder

Learn about EWB’s three projects that provide sustainable infrastructure solutions to communities in need worldwide, and then replicate them by making miniature shelters, water filters, and irrigation networks! This fun hands-on activity will introduce you to our team members and our mission of making the world a better place through engineering. All majors are welcome!

Hosted by Engineers Without Borders

Join Engineering Ambassadors on a scavenger hunt across RPI campus! Get to know some of the cool places you might not see on a campus tour, and learn about our STEM K-12 outreach program.

Hosted by RPI Engineering Ambassadors

Join RPI’s competitive Indian dance teams - RPI Rounak and RPI Rudras - to learn and dance to fun choreo from their previous season’s performances! No prior dance experience is required.

Hosted by RPI Rounak and RPI Rudras

What’s black and white and re(a)d all over? The Polytechnic, RPI’s student-run newspaper! Join our staff in getting the inside scoop on the institute’s administration, clubs, sports, and exciting events on campus. During this block, you’ll be traveling across campus, interviewing, and photographing NRB with donuts and coffee (or hot chocolate) in tow!

Hosted by The Polytechnic

Ever wanted to try rock climbing? If so, you should join the Outing Club at our school’s indoor bouldering gym! Bouldering is a form of rock climbing where routes are shorter and climbers fall onto mats for protection. No ropes or harnesses needed! Climbing shoes and chalk are not required as we provide them free of charge. Dress to stay cool and bring water as the gym can get hot!

Hosted by The Outing Club

All are welcome to join Dance Club in a student choreography exercise, a dance combination led by one of our beloved teachers, and much more! Dance Club encourages dancers of all levels and backgrounds to participate in this active, and social program. We hope to see you there!

Hosted by Dance Club

A basic introduction to the history and practice of Historical European Martial Arts with a special emphasis on the German tradition of longsword fencing. The session will include a short introduction to the historical practice of longsword fencing, followed by drills on the basics of cutting and parrying. The session will conclude with a light sparring session.

Hosted by German Long Sword (HEMA)

Interested in learning the way of the sword? Join us for an introduction into Kendo, a modern Japanese martial art that combines discipline, strategy, and physical activity. In this session, participants will learn the fundamentals of Kendo, including basic strikes, footwork, posture, and etiquette. No prior experience is required. This event is beginner-friendly and open to all skill levels. Equipment will be provided, and instructors will guide you through a safe and engaging introduction to the sport. Come experience the energy, focus, and tradition of Kendo while trying something new!

Hosted by RPI Kendo

Join the Korean Student Association for an exciting and delicious Korean food workshop! Learn to prepare authentic Korean dishes from scratch in a fun, hands-on environment. This workshop is meant for all to immerse themselves in Korean culture, meet new people, and expand their culinary horizons. No experience is necessary, just come with an open mind and a hunger for adventure! This workshop is a great way to get involved with our club and make lasting friendships.

Hosted by Korean Student Association

Spend the day with Rensselaer Rocket Society (RRS) and build your very own rocket! Students will use a variety of craft supplies to decorate and launch their very own bottle rockets. Students will also tour the lab and workspace of RRS and learn about the club and its members.

Hosted by Rensselaer Rocket Society

Ever wondered what it takes to run the lights and sound for a killer show? We are RPI Union Show Techs, the team that provides paid lighting and sound technicians to RPI Clubs funded by the Student Union. Now's your chance to step behind the scenes and see how the magic happens! At this event, you'll get hands-on experience with live sound engineering and dynamic lighting control. We're talking:

• A Yamaha QL series console with Dante networked digital audio powered rigged line arrays
• Professional wired microphones and advanced Shure digital wireless systems for reliable and articulated audio
• An array of moving and static lighting fixtures controlled by a GrandMA3 Compact XT console

No experience? No problem! We'll teach you everything you need to know. If you've ever been curious about the tech behind live events, this is your chance to dive in. Come check out what we do, meet the team, and see if this world is for you!

Hosted by Union Show Techs

ASME at RPI invites incoming first-year students to join us in a simple, but fun, engineering challenge where you will be put into teams to create a boat that holds the most weight! The challenge will be a simulated real engineering problem with limited budget for materials, manufacturing defects and difficulties! Students will be given a limited number of credits to be used for construction with certain materials being more costly than others. Teams will also be given a selected defect that will make construction of their boat more difficult. Teams will be graded on a point-based system from the prior mentioned. These added challenges are meant to introduce real world issues that a young engineer may find in the field. The boats with the highest points will be awarded!

Hosted by American Society of Mechanical Engineers @ Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Attendees will be able to paint and plant their own flower pot (to keep even after NRB). Engineers for a Sustainable World seeks to promote and teach sustainable engineering practices to inspire a new generation of engineers! While we decorate and plant the flowers, we will introduce our club, and attendees can get to know current members.

Hosted by Engineers for a Sustainable World

Come to the Forge to learn more about laser cutting, sticker printing and using the other machines including 3D printers in our space. Come with designs that you want to make into stickers or engrave using our laser cutter!

Hosted by The Forge

Join Rensselaer Pride Alliance (RPI) for an event of intrigue, drama, and community at our Queer Murder Mystery! We invite you to step into a world of secrets, suspense, and unexpected twists; all while connecting with new people in a welcoming space. You will take on unique characters, unlock clues, and work together or against each other to solve the crime! Whether you are a serious mystery fan or just here for the vibes, there are roles for everyone. This event is a great way to meet other classmates, learn more about our club, and express who you identify as!

Hosted by Rensselaer Pride Alliance

Join Roundnet/Spikeball Club for a block full of strategy, competition, and fun! Current members will be present to explain rules, offer tips, and help facilitate games. New to spikeball? We’ll teach you how to play. All are welcome!

Hosted by Spikeball Club

Learn a combo and see what a practice is like on the RPI Dance Team! We perform collegiate Pom, Hip-Hop and Jazz routines at RPI home football and basketball games as well as compete at NDA Nationals in the spring. Whether you have previous experience in dance, cheer, gymnastics, or you’re looking to try something new, this is a great opportunity for students to get a taste of what the RPI Dance Team does! We will be learning game-day choreography, followed by an info session at the end! Be sure to wear athletic clothes and bring water. We can’t wait to see you there!

Hosted by RPI Dance Team

See how the Players work on our shows every semester through improv games and learning how our theater tech departments work!

Hosted by The RPI Players

Join the RPI Rugby Club for an exciting introduction to the fast-growing sport of college rugby! Participants will learn basic skills, concepts, and strategies of rugby. Participants' time learning will be followed by a tournament of touch-rugby as a chance to show off their newly gained skills! No prior experience is needed, and members of both the women’s and men’s teams will be participating, so everyone is welcome! Please plan to wear running shoes.

Hosted by RPI Rugby Club

Learn self-defense basics with the black belts of the RPI Tae Kwon Do club. Practice punching, kicking, and more. Absolutely no experience necessary. Come ready for a good workout.

Hosted by RPI Tae Kwon Do Club

A realistic take on a classic engineering challenge! Work with a small team of peers to design a creative solution, protecting your egg with limited resources. You'll also meet our members and get a preview of our group's projects, from liquid rocket engines to lunar materials science (and more). All majors are welcome!

Hosted by Rensselaer Spaceflight Society

Join Club Field Hockey for a fun day on the turf! You'll meet the team, play some games, and scrimmage with us! Equipment and water will be provided. New and experienced players are welcome (we will teach you if you want to learn)!

Hosted by Club Field Hockey

This interactive LEAP workshop introduces new students to teamwork, communication, and trust through a series of low ropes challenge course activities. Participants will engage in hands-on problem-solving tasks that emphasize collaboration, leadership, and effective group dynamics in a supportive environment. By the end of the experience, students will leave not only with new skills, but with new friends.

Hosted by Leadership Educators Advising Peers (LEAP)

Taste of the Arab World is a fun and welcoming event where students can experience the diversity of Arab culture through food, music, and shared traditions. Students will have the opportunity to try different flavors, learn about cultures from across the Arab world, and connect with others in a relaxed social setting. Enjoy community, culture, and great conversation.

Hosted by Arab Student Organization (ASO)

Join us for a fun and interactive campus scavenger hunt designed for incoming First-years! Team up, solve riddles, explore campus landmarks, and snap group selfies along the way. It’s a great chance to meet new people in the Society of Women Engineers, make friends, and start your semester with fun memories. Come ready to explore, connect, and enjoy the adventure!

Hosted by Society of Women Engineers

Join the Biomedical Engineering Society for some tie dying fun! Work with both tie dye and bleach to customize shirts. Create designs with these materials using paint brushes, rubber bands, and further aids. Whether you want to follow design patterns or go all out, walk away with a beautiful tie dye creation.

Hosted by Biomedical Engineering Society

Join CASA, the Chinese American Student Association, in playing Mahjong and enjoying boba! You'll be able to make a custom boba/bubble tea drink from kits! We'll be teaching Fuzhou-style Mahjong, but any variant is welcome! No experience is necessary and all are welcome regardless of heritage!

Hosted by Chinese American Students Association (CASA)

Meet members of the Ultimate Frisbee team while learning to play the sport! There will be drills to learn how to throw and catch effectively, games for fun, and more competitive games. There will be plenty of time to meet other students in a fun and safe environment.

Hosted by Ultimate Frisbee

Join us for grass volleyball with our club team! Our club aims to provide both competitive and recreational volleyball opportunities for everyone!

Hosted by RPI Volleyball Club

Participate in a lacrosse-focused program emphasizing teamwork, communication, and foundational skills. Meet new people and get your hands on a stick, we accept people of all skill levels, come try it out if you’re new to the sport. We can’t wait to see you there!

Hosted by RPI Women’s Club Lacrosse

Meet current team members, learn about the Women’s Club Basketball program, and participate in fun, low-pressure basketball activities. No experience needed!

Hosted by Women's Club Basketball