We’re excited to introduce FOP Themes to FOP 2020! Each trip will follow one of the six FOP Themes:

• Flora and Fauna

• Responsible Outdoor Recreation

• History of Harvard

• Climate and Environmental Justice

• Food Sustainability

• Land History and Use

Your trip will come to life through whole-trip zoom sessions, on-your-own activities, and personal interactions outside of full-group meetings. While the entirety of the programming won’t revolve around your trip’s theme, we hope that FOP themes can add some more depth and adventure to your trip. However, just like a normal year, a lot of your trip will revolve around building community and discussing life at Harvard. We also hope to keep the experiential aspect of FOP at the program’s core, and have woven numerous opportunities for experiential learning into VirtuFOP’s programming.

We’ve included extended descriptions of each of the themes below. As always, if you have any questions, please email us (FOP SteerComm) at fop@fas.harvard.edu. :)

Climate and Environmental Justice

The Climate + Environmental Justice (CEJ) theme gives FOPpers the opportunity to learn more about the intersectionalities surrounding CEJ, as well as how to address the related injustices and inequalities that currently exist in their local communities. We hope to emphasize the importance of our individual actions and power to act as vehicles of change as it pertains to CEJ. While CEJ relates to the environment and ecosystems we use during FOP, we envision that the CEJ theme will be an opportunity for us to reach beyond the FOP “bubble” and engage with the present realities of our communities’ responsibility to preserve the outdoors.

Land History and Use

The Land History & Use theme will explore the history of the lands where many people recreate today. We’ll take a closer look at the troubled history of land management and forced migration in the United States and in the Cambridge/Harvard area, and explore the challenges facing Native nations, communities of color, and other displaced communities today. Furthermore, we’ll ask participants to learn about the histories of public lands across the globe by having them investigate lands within their own region. 

Food Sustainability

In the Food Sustainability theme, we’ll explore sustainable farming practices, protection of public health, good employment practices, and animal welfare in our food systems. As consumers, we’re constantly making decisions that have an impact on both our health and the environment. The goal of this theme is to create a space where FOPpers can learn more about the decisions they make and reflect and ruminate on their impact.

Throughout this theme we’ll ask you ~sink your teeth~ into sustainable eating at Harvard, so you can ~get a taste~ of some ~easily-digestible~ ethical and responsible eating practices that you’ll hopefully be able to incorporate into your life on campus and beyond.  ;)

Responsible Outdoor Recreation

Do you want to be more engaged in the outdoors, but don't know how? This theme will help you gain the skills to feel empowered in the outdoors regardless of your experience or background. Our goal for you is to become an active and informed advocate for yourself and others in the outdoors. We want to empower you with the skills not only to recreate safely, but to be aware of the context in which you recreate. Topics include responsible use of public lands, supporting gateway communities, equity and accessibility in the outdoors, culturally rich and justice-inspired recreation, and trip planning.

Flora And Fauna

The natural world is a beautiful place. The hum of insects, the gurgling of streams, the inquisitive calls of songbirds, the scent of soil after it rains, etc. The Flora and Fauna theme seeks to provide a little bit of insight into these sights, smells, sounds, and tastes. Flora and Fauna is the curriculum for you if you’re looking to explore the outdoors in your community, discuss efforts to preserve the environment, and grow your excitement for nature and its many creatures.

History of Harvard

Harvard’s history is a story of discovery in spite of exclusion, friendship in spite of segregation, and progress in spite of oppression. We hope to provide incoming first-years with a brief introduction to the history of Harvard and the surrounding area that captures these nuances. Through constructive dialogue, we wish to criticize aspects of Harvard’s history, yet also demonstrate how Harvard is able to become a loving home for students from a wide variety of backgrounds.

In a typical year, FOP offers two types of trips, wilderness trips and site-based trips.