Last year, our two freshmen were by far some of the best workers we had. One of them was probably there more than I was
In my mind, it's all about how much they want to learn and get involved. If a freshman (or any new member) wants to just stand around and do nothing, then he or she can spend the six weeks playing fetch and filing corners on the frame. If, on the other hand, they want to get involved, I'm happy to teach them. The freshman I mentioned above is now the electrical team leader, as well as the overall project manager because of her involvement last year.
So, the moral of the story is, don't just beat up on your freshmen. They can be a valuable asset if they're motivated and you help them get involved. Of course, there's nothing wrong with the occasional search for an adjustable Allen wrench