# FOP 2026 Leader Applications Are Open! ## expand\_more ## Introduction Thank you for your interest in becoming a leader for the First-Year Outdoor Program! Since 1979, FOP has worked to provide fun, inspiring, and safe pre-orientation trips for incoming first-year students using the lakes, mountains, and trails all over the Native Northeast. We owe most of our success to our wonderful leader community. The mission of FOP is to provide group activities that promote the development of social support and self-awareness for first-year students, and leadership development for members of the Harvard community. **The central values of FOP are compassion, the equality and intrinsic worth of all people regardless of identity, commitment to inclusive community-building, and responsible stewardship of the lands our program uses. FOP is dedicated to supporting a community of leaders with many different identities, backgrounds, and experiences.** ## Important Dates - FOP Leader Applications for 2026 have closed. Please consider applying next year! ## Types of Trips You Can Lead FOP is scheduled to run in-person, though we remain wary of changing health and safety conditions. - [Wilderness Backpacking Trips](/wilderness-trips): backcountry trips in which groups hike from campsite to campsite with packs to carry all of their belongings for the duration of their 6-day trip. - [Wilderness Service Trips](/day-on-fop): backcountry trips that include one to two days of trail work with a trail service professional. Service work ranges from onsite construction to the clearing of trail debris. - [Switch Trips](/switch-0): backcountry trips that include both canoeing and backpacking portions. Leading a switch trip requires additional lifeguard certification training. - [Site-Based Trips](/site-based-trips): students on site-based trips will camp in one site for the duration of FOP. This could mean staying in a 3 wall shelter or a cabin. Both trips include a variety of adventure-based activities, such as day hikes, playing games, and taking in the beauty of your campsite. - [Site-Based Service Trips](/site-based-service-trips): students on site-based service trips camp in one site for the duration of FOP. All site-based service trips stay in a cabin. The trip includes about 3 days of service work such as barn chores and maintaining trails. On days when not doing service activities, students will play games with their trip or go on day hikes. - [Identity Trips](/affinity-trips): these trips function similarly to our other trip types, but are designed for FOPpers to share and engage with others who share their backgrounds, while exploring the native northeast through wilderness backpacking, wilderness service, site-based, site-based service, and switch itineraries. There are a range of affinity trips such as Asian Pacific Islander, Black/African-American, etc... ## What Are We Looking for in a Leader? Before discussing what makes a good FOP Leader, we would like to outline explicitly some characteristics that FOP does not consider when evaluating applicants: - Applicants **DO NOT need to have outdoors experience**. FOP Leaders come from all levels of outdoors experience. We will teach trainees all necessary outdoor skills required to lead a successful trip. Anyone excited by the prospect of leading a community-building trip in an outdoor setting can apply! - Applicants **DO NOT need to have participated in FOP** to be a leader! Many of our leaders did not participate in FOP as first-years. - Applicants **DO NOT need to own equipment or pay for training**. FOP will cover all of the necessary costs and allows leaders to rent equipment at no cost. FOP is looking for applicants who convey **strong interpersonal skills** and who are **able to foster a positive environment for group bonding and self-exploration**. Since FOP is conducted in a backcountry setting, we look for applicants with a **sound decision-making capacity**. Potential leaders should have the **desire to become comfortable in the outdoors**, but no prior experience is necessary! The strength of FOP depends on the involvement, support, and breadth of experiences of its leaders. **FOP values having leaders of different ages, backgrounds, interests, identities, and perspectives.** Applicants should also view the experience of leading a FOP trip as an opportunity to develop their leadership skills and engage with different perspectives. FOP takes feedback and growth seriously in the continued development of leaders. ## Application Process The first step in becoming a FOP leader is being selected as a trainee. Trainee selection consists of submitting a written application and completing an interview. A rough timeline of the process is as follows: 1. Submit FOP leader [written application](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-QVV0vx-y1tdRZvxCEKp4eI6qyPm4n5AgETtyfGwNco/edit?tab=t.0) 2. Applicants will be interviewed in early January 3. Interviews will take place in January 4. The Steering Committee will notify applicants about final decisions by email in mid February ## Trainee Schedule Trainees selected following the interview must complete a comprehensive training process throughout the Spring Semester, culminating in a eight-day training trip. We offer wilderness backpacking, switch and site-based training trips. Upon successful completion and evaluation, trainees are confirmed as leaders. Here is more information about what you can expect your Spring Semester to look like (**all of these events are mandatory**): Gaggles: Gaggles are 2 hour meetings once a week where trainees will reinforce both technical and soft skills associated with FOP. Expect to learn more about how to lead processing, tie knots, use a compass, etc... There will be 5 gaggles during the Spring Semester. Skillz Days: Skillz Days are where trainees will learn all the technical skills associated with FOP such as how to set up a tarp, purify water, use stoves, etc... Trainees must come to 1, day-long session on Saturday. Workshops: Workshops are where trainees will learn how to lead an emotionally safe trip. There are 2, 2-hour long workshops on a range of topics such as gender and sexuality, belonging and comfort, and restorative justice. WFA Certification: All trainees must complete their WFA Certification. Expect to spend one Friday from 6pm-10pm and a Saturday and Sunday from 8am-6pm learning how to treat and prevent injuries in the backcountry. Training Trips: Training Trips are 8 days and occur at the end of the Spring Semester. Training Trips are an opportunity for trainees to showcase all that they have learned during their Spring Semester. FOP offers wilderness backpacking, switch and site-based training trips. **If you go on a switch training trip, you must complete your lifeguard certification** (expect another to spend another weekend getting this). ## Anything Else? - All current first-years, sophomores, and juniors are eligible to apply (anyone who is graduating in Fall 2026 or later) - The cost of leader training is paid for by FOP. Equipment (including backpacks, clothing, and sleeping bags) can be borrowed from FOP at no cost to you Applicants who have submitted applications in previous years are encouraged to consider applying again. Many leaders, including Steering Committee members, were not selected the previous times they applied, and have since become an integral part of the leader community. Inquiries about logistics, especially training dates, the selection process, or requirements, should be directed to the Steering Committee via email () ## Application Mentors Reach out to these leaders with any questions! [### Florian Abruzzi ](/people/florian-abruzzi) FOP Leader, Steering Committee '26 ![fa](/sites/g/files/omnuum5596/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-07/IMG_2239.jpg?itok=6E7vtBlL) [### Anda Bilder ](/people/anda-bilder) FOP Leader, Steering Committee '26 ![ab](/sites/g/files/omnuum5596/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-07/32BF77D2-50F6-4686-9062-B39F67E56716_1_105_c.jpeg?itok=_Hlg2LmH) [### Ian Chen ](/people/ian-chen) FOP Leader, Steering Committee '26 ![ic](/sites/g/files/omnuum5596/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-07/ianchenfop.jpg?itok=HiIeoR09) [### Elena Ferrari ](/people/elena-ferrari) FOP Leader, Steering Committee '26 ![ef](/sites/g/files/omnuum5596/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-07/foppfp3.jpg?itok=6XthnmUc) [### Zoe Macaluso ](/people/zoe-macaluso) FOP Leader, Steering Committee '26 ![zm](/sites/g/files/omnuum5596/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-07/IMG_3473%20%281%29.png?itok=7bI8i-sb) [### Malachi Miller ](/people/malachi-miller) FOP Leader, Steering Committee '26 ![new](/sites/g/files/omnuum5596/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-12/Screenshot%202025-12-07%20at%2011.19.13%E2%80%AFPM.png?itok=mmhexc2X) [### Joshua Schultzer ](/people/joshua-schultzer) FOP Leader, Steering Committee '26 ![new](/sites/g/files/omnuum5596/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-12/Screenshot%202025-12-07%20at%2011.20.37%E2%80%AFPM.png?itok=b-hqII_W) [### Sarah Thomas ](/people/sarah-thomas) FOP Leader, Steering Committee '26 ![saraht](/sites/g/files/omnuum5596/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/fop/files/dscf0419_-_sarah_thomas.jpeg?itok=0Hs8WkNL)