"Honestly, I'm most looking forward to finding out what the heck it is," Kathryn Waychoff '16 said.
The only information she has received from upperclassmen was that events during the weekend would likely feature alcohol.
"One guy said, I can't do anything Thursday because I will already be really drunk,'" Waychoff said.
Pawan Dhakal '16 said he had heard of Green Key but knew little of the event's length or activities.
"Is it like a family visitation weekend?" he asked.
Latrell Williams '16 said that upperclassmen have never explained its purpose, though other freshmen have told him that there are many outdoor events.
Waychoff's roommate asked her father, an alumnus, about the weekend's events, but these inquiries have proved mostly futile.
"He only said that there were lots of fun events," Waychoff said. "He couldn't remember what any of the events were, and it was very unhelpful."
Graham Churchill '16 said his father has told him stories about his own Green Key adventures. One year, Andrew Churchill '81 and his friends launched bottle rockets at Russell Sage from the top of Hitchcock hall.
Aaron Athanas '16 said previous issues of The Dartmouth have helped him better understand the weekend. He read one article that told readers to complete "the stacks" stage of The Dartmouth Seven during Green Key, when the library is mostly empty.
Athanas has also learned about the weekend through word of mouth.
"When [upperclassmen] talk their faces light up they are really excited for it," Athanas said. "I think for the same reasons they look forward to it, I would look forward to it as well."
Freshmen look forward to spending time outdoors over Green Key, including going on hikes.
"I'm guessing a lot of people are taking this as an opportunity to daydrink, but I'm mostly looking forward to having a weekend with a festival, a time to sit back and relax outside with friends," Churchill said.
Athanas, a member of the varsity swim team, said he hopes to spend more time with the seniors on the team before they graduate.
Williams said he looks forward to a weekend of relaxation.
"I think that everyone's happy and not stressed out not like they usually are, everyone is willing to have fun," Williams said. "There is a lot of hype behind it, so I really do hope it will be fun."
Athanas also said that he believes Green Key will be a very inclusive time, given the weekend's outdoor parties.
"Nothing seems more inclusive than an activity outside," he said. "The whole idea of the Greek system is that you are obviously going to be specially bounded in the house, you can't flip-flop between houses. When everyone's outside, you can just walk around and meet people."
Despite his expectations, Athanas said he predicts that Green Key will not be his favorite big weekend.
"I really think I will like Homecoming the most," Athanas said, "There is nothing like the nostalgia of meeting people who have experienced the same things as you."
Waychoff said she enjoyed the increased alumni presence and running around the bonfire 116 times during Homecoming, while Winter Carnival coincided with her birthday.
"The thing about Homecoming is that it's more ceremonial. It's the moment you spiritually join the Dartmouth community," Churchill said, "I think you get a sense for just how extensive the alumni network and the people who support the Dartmouth community is."
