NEST
Interested in NEST 2026? Registration is open now!
Get ready to kick off your college journey with NEST, an exciting five-day experience designed to help you feel at home, make lasting friendships, and discover everything the University of Mary Washington has to offer. From the moment you move in, you’ll dive into a mix of interactive activities, campus traditions, leadership opportunities, and unforgettable adventures that make the transition to college both fun and meaningful.
New Experiences for Students Transitioning (NEST) is open to all incoming students. Held just before New Student Welcome in August, NEST provides a fun, supportive, and engaging opportunity to ease into college life before the semester begins. It’s your chance to build meaningful friendships, explore the University of Mary Washington, and connect with the greater Fredericksburg community—all while creating memories that will last long after orientation ends.
Throughout the week, students will discover everything UMW has to offer through interactive experiences, campus traditions, and hands-on learning. Participants will explore campus resources, meet student leaders and fellow Eagles, learn about student organizations and recreation opportunities, and gain valuable insight into academic success and campus life. They’ll also develop leadership, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills through collaborative activities designed to build confidence and prepare them for a successful transition to college.
Every day brings a new adventure! Students will participate in campus tours, scavenger hunts, escape rooms, leadership workshops, recreational activities, crafts, trivia, yoga, silent disco, karaoke, downtown Fredericksburg excursions, and choose-your-own-adventure experiences that allow them to explore their interests while making new friends in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
Community service is at the heart of the NEST experience. Each year, students participate in meaningful service projects both on and off campus, giving back to the Fredericksburg community while fostering a spirit of civic engagement and building lasting connections with local organizations and community members. Through these experiences, students learn the importance of service, collaboration, and becoming active members of both the UMW and Fredericksburg communities.
By the end of NEST, students won’t just know where their classes are—they’ll have a network of friends, a deeper connection to campus, a better understanding of the resources and opportunities available to them, and the confidence to begin their UMW experience ready to thrive. NEST is more than an orientation program—it’s where your college adventure takes flight.
NEST 2026 will be held from August 15-19, leading right into new student move in.
Registration for NEST 2026 will open in April 2026.
For more information or any questions, contact the NEST Coordinators at nest@umw.edu!
*Note: Honors students will be in the City As Text program at the same time as NEST and, as such, cannot participate in both.