Frequently Asked Questions

About 1 out of 4 members of the incoming class participate in FOP and come from all over the United States, and all over the world. Some participants have extensive backpacking experience and some have never been outside thier hometown, a majority fall somewhere in the middle. Students come from all different races, ethnicities, economic circumstances, nationalities, and languages. Our goal is to prepare students as best we can for their upcoming Harvard experience. To do this, we try to create diverse FOP trips which are microcosms of the larger, diverse community at Harvard.
 

For dates on all Pre-Orientation programming (including FOP) please see Harvard's Pre-Orientation website.

FOP, unlike other pre-orientation programs, uses the outdoors as a medium to form tight-knit communities and engage in reflective activities. If you are interested in learning more about yourself, meeting lots of cool people, and having a great outdoors adventure, FOP is the pre-orientation program for you! Many of the other programs serve a specific community of incoming Harvard students, such as international students (FIP) or first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented first-year students (FYRE). Others specialize in leadership building skills (LIFE), community service (FUP), and the arts (FAP). Many international, first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented first-years participate in FOP each year! 

All the better! No prior experience is necessary to go on FOP. We have both wilderness trips and site-based trips.  Many trips involve camping, but some of the site-based Site Exploration trips will spend the nights in cabins—which can be a perfect middle ground for someone who would rather not plunge into wilderness camping. In addition to site-based exploration trips, we sort FOPpers into different wilderness trip difficulty levels to provide the appropriate learning experiences and physical challenges for all first-year students. FOPpers who have not spent much time outside before often learn the most about themselves and have some of the most rewarding experiences. On the trip, leaders teach all the skills and provide all the info FOPpers need to be comfortable in the wilderness.

FOP has a significant supply of rental equipment. Each year, approximately 80 percent of FOPpers borrow some form of gear. This gear is available at very reasonable rates. In addition, anyone receiving financial aid from the College or from FOP is eligible to rent gear for free. 

Please see the equipment list. Please keep in mind that FOP has an extensive supply of gear to borrow that is included as a part of your fee for FOP. 

New outdoor gear from specialty backpacking stores can be expensive, but going on FOP doesn't have to cost a fortune. Discount stores offer reasonably priced, quality gear. FOP will also loan out gear, such as backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, rain jackets and pants, fleece and long underwear tops and bottoms, and boots. FOP has an extensive supply of gear to borrow that is included as a part of your fee for FOP. Because FOP does not have a limitless supply of gear, you may also want to consider borrowing from friends or family; however, do test any gear to make sure it's durable and in good condition before you bring it with you. Borrowed gear also needs to fit well enough to be worn comfortably all week. You may also consider some of your purchases a long-term investment; many FOPpers and leaders find that the clothing and boots that they buy for FOP are quite handy during the long New England winter.

Check out our sample menu. If you have any allergies or special dietary needs, please contact us right away!

Well, not exactly. Spending six days in the wilderness includes learning how to keep clean when there aren't showers and going to the bathroom in the woods. But don't worry, this is a new experience for many and your leaders will explain everything you need to know to be comfortable. A few of the sites where FOP stays do have outhouses because they are high-use areas and in these cases concentrating the impact of human waste causes the least damage to delicate wilderness areas. 

Course registration final deadlines are not until after FOP returns to campus. Programs like General Education, First-Year Seminars, Expos, and Humanities 10a are aware of FOP, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to register for classes. Your course registration and exploration period will be better if you take initiative ahead of time and once you’re back on campus after FOP. Be proactive on the front end - explore courses and pathways into fields of study, reflect on your academic interests, write down questions for your advisers, and communicate with your first-year academic adviser and Peer Advising Fellow. The final application deadline for Freshman Seminars and Humanities 10a land while FOP trips are underway, so make sure you submit your applications ahead of time if you are interested. Then, after FOP, make sure you are on top of course registration - check back in with your adviser and manage your course enrollments. You’ll have enough time and opportunity to register for courses!

Shower in it. Seriously, we aren't kidding! Did you get wet? E-mail us pictures of you in your raingear in the shower, and we'll really know you've done your research!

Exact pack type and volume depends on the individual using it. Most folks prefer an internal frame pack. For FOP, an internal frame pack should be somewhere between 55L and 80L (smaller people can use a smaller size). Check out our backpack advice for more information.

Sleeping bags are rated by temperature. (If the one you're looking at isn't, definitely don't take it.) For FOP, bags should be warm to at least 20 degrees and should have 4-6 inches of loft (thickness when laid on the ground). Please note that participants are asked not to bring down sleeping bags on FOP unless they have a waterproof or water-repellant finish.

Yes. If you sign up for Harvard Blue Cross/Blue Shield, coverage should start in early August. You will be covered while you are on your FOP trip. If you are filling out your forms and have not yet received your Harvard Blue Cross/Blue Shield policy number, please make a note of this on the form, then then email us the rest of the information, or have it on hand when you arrive for your trip.

Harvard does not provide housing before check-in for FOP on the 17th; however, there are many hotels in the area. Limited hosting with the families of local FOPpers is available for FOPpers who are traveling from very far away, but please make requests well in advance as these spots fill up fast.

Check out our arrival directions. The T (Boston's subway system) is the cheapest option (about $2.75 - and free from the airport!) and an easy way to travel if you are not carrying many belongings (which you shouldn't be!). It will bring you directly into Harvard Square.

Parking can be tricky in Cambridge, but do check out our parking information.