Inaugural 302 Tour Blog
the inaugural 302 tour was a success, please see below for our live blog from this year’s event, and stay tuned for more information about the 2024 tour!
6/10/2023
Join Delaware Athletics for the inaugural 302 Tour - a four-day tour of the state, where student-athletes and coaches will visit sites in Kent, Sussex and New Castle counties - interacting with the community, visiting historic sites, and learning about the great state of Delaware! Check back each day for updated blog posts with quotes from our student-athletes!
SATURDAY, JUNE 10
DAY 1: The Blue Hens began the tour right on campus, working with Special Olympics Delaware. Student-athletes cheered on the special olympics games at Bob Hannah Stadium. After a quick refuel from Raising Canes, the Hens boarded the buses and headed out to Kent County. A quick 90-minute drive and the group arrived at the hotel for dinner before a full night's rest before an early morning at the Chicken Chase 5k.
My freshman year was during COVID but I was still looking for ways to be involved with the community and Gino Gradkowski had reached out through athletics about the Special Olympics virtual fitness program! They needed instructors to help out leading Zumba like classes as well as different strength, stretching and conditioning exercises on zoom. I spent my Tuesdays and Thursday evenings assisting with these and it inspired me to add a minor in disability studies to become more involved in being an activist for disability inclusivity. This was a large part of my college experience and it was so nice to see the Special Olympics Games I had heard so much about come to life in the community and cheer all the athletes on. I also loved getting to catch up with my teammates and meet athletes on other teams! I’m excited to meet even more people on this trip, explore and learn about Delaware and contribute to the community I was so lucky to be part of for my three years at UD.Sarah Kimak, cross country/track & field
Raising Canes ?? Special Olympics. Great first session of the 3??0??2?? Tour! pic.twitter.com/xkzyUbbbhs
— Delaware Blue Hens (@UDBlueHens) June 10, 2023
Great first day with the squad! Follow along the daily blog! ??
— Delaware Blue Hens (@UDBlueHens) June 11, 2023
??: https://t.co/HtKXX6Tb6N pic.twitter.com/47rcEci6rF
SUNDAY, JUNE 11
DAY 2: The Hens kicked things off bright and early at the second-annual Chicken Chase 5k hosted at The Starboard in Dewey Beach. Blue Hens' student-athletes and staff cheered on the participants and passed out water and medals. Everyone celebrated UD pride with breakfast after the race.
After the race, the Hens boarded the bus and checked out the University of Delaware - Lewes campus. There, the team saw the wind turbine which helps power Lewes and the University. At max speed, the turbine can produce two megawatts to the grid. The group also learned about the first live oyster breeding center in the state, which is located on UD's grounds.
Following lunch at Grain on the Rocks and a well-deserved break, the crew traveled to the Delaware Seashore State Park and gave out some 302 Tour swag to beach goers. The Hens and community members played all sorts of outdoor games, with special appearances from YoUDee and Baby Blue.
The Hens walked up the ramp to the Big Chill Beach Club for the 302 Tour reception where fans, community members, student-athletes, and staff celebrated the inaugural tour and enjoyed each other's company. An abundance of Delaware head coaches joined the crew at the beach and reception.
The 302 tour was a very pleasant surprise for me. Not only did we get to learn a lot about the state we represent, but being able to travel and interact with the community and give back a portion of what it gives us is a really great feeling.Brian Kelly, men's soccer
Fun in the sun ?? ??? pic.twitter.com/3qdlzd69B9
— Delaware Blue Hens (@UDBlueHens) June 11, 2023
Day ?? was a blast! ????? pic.twitter.com/qOHDrrq6zL
— Delaware Blue Hens (@UDBlueHens) June 12, 2023
I really enjoyed the 302 tour! We started the day cheering on the runners at the 5K race. It was a great time getting to talk to members of the community and enjoy a good breakfast at The Starboard! The rest of the day we got to hang out and meet some kids at the beach. I loved getting to hangout with my fellow athletes and play beach games! The 302 Tour was a great experience and I am super grateful I got to spend the day around Delaware!Reese Momorella, field hockey
MONDAY, JUNE 12
DAY 3: The Hens packed their bags and shipped out north. A quick stop at Surf Bagel for a wholesome breakfast and the crew was ready to take on Dover Air Force Base.
At 10:30 a.m. sharp the Blue Hen bus pulled through the gate at DAFB for a few hours of learning. The session started with a mission brief. Any fallen soldier goes through DAFB before returning to they're final resting place. The team at DAFB, work to make sure families are comforted and supported through the very difficult process.
Following the mission brief, Grotto's provided a large lunch spread before the Hens walked over to the flight bay. There, the Hens met servicemen who worked on C5 Air Crafts. A complete tour, including a cockpit appearance, allowed the group to see the massive air craft which transports all sorts of military cargo.
The Hens rested up before taking the trip to Legislative Hall to learn about the state house and senate. A high school group for Boys State was sitting in the chambers, pretending to be law makers and trying to get legislation passed.
Despite a rainy evening, the Hens changed up plans and hosted a community outing at the Boys & Girls Club of Milford. Student-athletes shared pizza and soda with community members before playing backyard games with the kids. Community members walked away with a TON of 302 Tour swag!
Hens took flight at Delaware Air Force Base ??? pic.twitter.com/8N2TjAGXEt
— Delaware Blue Hens (@UDBlueHens) June 12, 2023
Another successful day on the 3??0??2?? Tour! ??
— Delaware Blue Hens (@UDBlueHens) June 13, 2023
??: https://t.co/HtKXX6Tb6N pic.twitter.com/d73hCrzSZk
"The 302 tour has given me opportunities I would have never gotten before. I want to go into the Air Force to be a doctor when I graduate, so it was awesome being able to see an air force base. We also got to tour the biggest plane in the air force fleet which was insanely cool. Visiting Legislative Hall and seeing where the bills in Delaware get passed into law was awesome! We ended the day hanging out with some kids at the boys and girls club! It was such a good day on the 302 Tour and I would highly recommend going on the tour in the future!"Dylan Norris, volleyball
TUESDAY, JUNE 13
DAY 4: The final day of the tour saw a bunch of activities for the Hens. The morning portion started with the group splitting up to check out a simulation training center at a local hospital and 302 Aquaponics Farm.
At the simulation center, student-athletes learned how hospital staff train using different simulation tools. The Hens had the chance to try out the different tools to practice laparoscopic surgery, ultrasounds, and a CPR efficiency race. We also learned about 302 Food Rescue, a program run through the Food Bank of Delaware to assist those in need and prevent perfectly good food from going to waste.
At Aquaponics, the Hens toured the greenhouse full of fresh growing lettuce, strawberries, kale, tomatoes, tilapia, and more. The student-athletes had the opportunity to feed the fish and learn about the farm to table process. 302 Aquaponics provides produce for local school districts, farmers’ markets, grocery stores, and the Delaware Food Bank.
Following the morning shift, lunch was provided by Wawa to all Hens working diligently at the service projects.
The early afternoon featured a trio of service projects around Wilmington. One group visited a local children’s hospital, one group worked a street cleanup with REACH Riverside Teen Warehouse, and the final group spent time with local children at the Boys & Girls Club.
Later in the afternoon, a small group of Blue Hens went on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Wilmington Airport, thanks to partners Avelo and Fly ILG. The group got to see an airplane, including the cockpit, and a full tour of the facilities.
The Hens took a break from service work and relaxed with some mini golf and a boat ride up the Christina River. The team took pit stop at the Harriet Tubman and Thomas Garrett statue in Wilmington for a quick educational experience. Tubman used Wilmington as a critical hub to help slaves escape to freedom.
The Hens boarded the boat again to finish the ride back down the river ahead of enjoying a Blue Rocks’ game. YoUDee got to throw out the first pitch prior to the game.
Students and staff got to learn at a hospital simulation center this morning! ???? pic.twitter.com/KIsXiNc28L
— Delaware Blue Hens (@UDBlueHens) June 13, 2023
Thanks to the Blue Rocks for hosting the Hens for the 3??0??2?? Tour! ?? pic.twitter.com/OqeZ752ECE
— Delaware Blue Hens (@UDBlueHens) June 13, 2023
“Everyday of the 302 Tour brought something new and exciting. Today was a jam packed final day. I started the morning touring a medical simulation center at a local hospital. As someone going into the healthcare field, I found it extremely fascinating. I got to see and put my hands on some pretty fun equipment as well as test my CPR skills. Next, I headed to the Boys and Girls Club of Wilmington where I got to put my cheer tricks to use and play with the most energetic group of young girls. We then made our way to the Wilmington Riverfront where we played mini golf and went on a Tiki boat tour on the Christina River. We ended the day and tour with a Blue Rocks game. After standing and running around all day, it was nice to sit down and watch some baseball. I have been on the tour since the beginning, and it has been amazing to see how close all of the athletes got as the days progressed. Prior to the tour, I did not know many athletes outside of my team. Now, I can confidently say I have made new friends on this trip in many different sports. Also, having the opportunity to represent UD and give back to the Delaware community has been truly rewarding. Overall, the 302 Tour has been an incredible experience, from start to end. I am extremely grateful for this tour, and I am proud to say I participated in the first one! I highly recommend signing up. I will be the first person to sign up next year!”Sam Steinberg, cheer
