A new summer partnership between SUNY Adirondack and Six Flags Great Escape is offering students the opportunity to “Work, Learn, Play.”

Students now have a chance to stay on campus at a reduced rate this summer, work at the amusement park and continue taking classes.

“[They can] be super focused on their academic planning … so [they can] pick up credits that might get them for next year to make their schedules less rigorous, or better balanced for them,” said SUNY Adirondack Dean for Student Affairs Kate O’Sick.

O’Sick says there was a lot of immediate interest, with 25 students applying within days of the partnership announcement.

“There is nothing better than experiential learning for students to think about all the things that they’re learning at school, and then to try to apply that to their future careers, their leadership style, how they work with others, teamwork, collaboration,” said O’Sick.

Allison Carknard, who is studying criminal justice at SUNY Adirondack, is training for a role on the park’s security team.

“Patrolling the entire park, making sure everything is going smooth … Rush hour, I’ll be at the front gates letting people in and making sure everything goes smoothly up there,” said Carknard.

Rachel Mare, a liberal arts major who plans to get her masters in teaching, will work as a retail supervisor.

“We are getting some seasonal leaders out of the deal, which is great for us. So Rachel is a great example of that; she’s joined our team – it’s her first year – but she is going to be stepping into a leadership role which is benefitting her with the experience, but also great for us,” said Great Escape Communications Manager Brit Gillespie.

Through the program, students can take a shuttle from campus to the park and get at least one free meal per shift. The park has always hired local college students, but Gillespie says they’ve been wanting to solidify a partnership with SUNY Adirondack – and this year was perfect timing.

“Staffing in this current job market is a challenge, for every business,” said Gillespie.

SUNY Adirondack and Great Escape are already looking to grow the partnership for next year, offering more spots in the program.