Phoenix Outdoor Program

Source: https://college.uchicago.edu/student-life/outdoor-pre-orientation Parent: https://college.uchicago.edu/college-programming-and-orientation/pre-orientation

UChicago offers many programs to welcome students to campus. The Phoenix Outdoor Program (POP) is a camp-based program giving students a chance to explore the great outdoors, have experiences that are not possible on campus, while also forming small group bonds with new classmates and upper-class mentors. Whether you have never slept in a tent before or you're already comfortable navigating the outdoors, there is a place for you in POP.

Details for All Trips

Dates: September 17-22, 2025

Spaces Available:150

Cost: $500. Housing, meals, transportation, and any applicable admissions fees are included in the cost of the program. Students are responsible for incidental/personal expenses and transportation to campus before the start of the program.

POP is a need-blind program—financial assistance is available for qualifying students and there is a place to request financial aid on the program application.

Gear:Participants will need all items on the gear checklist but there's no need to purchase any items that you do not expect to use after the POP Trip. Group gear is available and there is plenty of extra gear for participants to borrow, free of charge. Students accepted into the program will be able to submit requests to borrow gear.

Timeline

• Applications will open on April 4, 2025
• Applications close on Monday, June 10 at 10 AM CDT
• Applicants will hear back by the end of June regarding their application status

General Information

• Spots are limited
• Students may apply to as many Pre-Orientation Programs as interested, but if accepted, will only be offered a spot in one program.

All students participating in a Pre-Orientation program will stay in their room for the academic year. Students can bring all their belongings for the academic year with them on the 17th or their families can bring it on the 23rd.  Families need to decide what works better for their student and family.

Students will be able to start moving into their rooms at 9am on September 17th and need to ready to check into their Pre-Orientation program at 5pm.  Please note that the program does not start until 5pm. Dinner is the only meal provided to students on September 17th.

The campground we have reserved for POP Base Camp has accessible lodging designed for campers with varying needs. We also have hiking poles available for those who require them and can discuss other accessible gear - please feel free to reach out to College Programming and Orientation at college-programming@uchicago.edu if you have any concerns around accessibility!

POP Camping Trip

POP Camping takes place at an established camp located about two hours south of the city. During the program, small groups of incoming first year students will be paired with upper-class student leaders who will lead them through outdoor skill development, different forms of outdoor recreation, and preparation for the first year at UChicago and beyond. Students will have access to washrooms, a kitchen, and have the choice of sleeping in tents or cabins.

The Phoenix Outdoor Program (POP) is designed to introduce new students to the UChicago community and to develop outdoor skills through wilderness exploration. In order to do so, we must take steps to ensure the health and well-being of all participants. In order to do so, we must ensure all participants are able to successfully meet the demands of camping in an outdoor environment where outside assistance is not immediately available.

All POP Base Camp participants must meet the following Essential Eligibility Criteria:

Safety and Judgment

Each participant must be able to…

• Recall and understand hazards and risks previously explained by group leaders or support staff.
• Warn other participants and/or leaders about impending dangers.
• Effectively signal or notify group leaders or other POP participants of personal distress, injury, or need for assistance.
• Understand and follow the direction given by others to avoid hazards and/or manage risks, including in an emergency and/or under stress.
• Be able to stay alert and to focus attention for up to several hours at a time while traveling in wilderness terrain, being taught by group leaders, or receiving instructions.
• If taking prescription medications, maintain proper dosage by self-administering without assistance from group leaders or others (except possibly in emergency situations).

Leadership and Trip Behavior

Each participant must…

• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially challenging conditions. You will be living closely with your tent partners and with all members of your group in close quarters. There may be limited personal time. POP will require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences.
• Contribute to a safe learning environment—no verbal or physical abuse will be tolerated.
• Be able to willingly and equally share responsibility with your group in daily camp chores. Each participant may not do an equal share each day, but over a period of several days each participants should do a proportionate share.
• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns on an individual and group level.
• Learn and then practice Leave No Trace camping and travel techniques.

Outdoor Skills

Each participant must…

• Remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed so as to remain generally healthy and strive to protect themselves from environmental injuries such as hypothermia, heat illness, or sunburn.
• Be able to move about the campsite in order to participate in group activities, attend to toileting needs, and contribute to camping tasks as necessary.
• Live in a sometimes physically demanding, wilderness environment for the five days of the POP trip. Conditions of this environment may vary from 40 to 90 degrees and may include, but not be limited to, rain, thunderstorms or hail, uninterrupted sun and/or wind.
• Be able to travel over diverse terrains or alert your leaders if you are unable to do so.

The packing list will be sent to all participants in early August.

If you have any questions around what type of gear we're asking you to bring, just ask! You can contact College Programming and Orientation at college-programming@uchicago.edu

FAQs

Participants will engage in small group discussions, go on hikes, and participate in skill building sessions led by the POP Rangers. Participants will learn about Leave No Trace principles, how to set up a camp, cooking in the outdoors, and more. Most importantly, students will have a chance to bond with fellow first years and upper-class leaders in a small group setting, as well as learn more about UChicago and feel better prepared for Orientation and the year ahead.

Absolutely! Participants will have a variety of different experience levels and we will be covering all the skills you need to know to have a great camping experience. There will also be gear available to borrow, free of charge, so you don't have to worry about getting gear in case it's not an activity you want to pursue long-term.

We have plenty of camping gear for you to borrow, but we do not have extra shoes, boots, or other clothing. For all those accepted into the program, we will be sending out a gear request form over the summer.

Here are some ideas on where to get clothing items listed on the gear checklist:

• Borrow from friends and family!
• Army Navy Stores
• Goodwill, The Salvation Army Store
• Fleece and wool options can often be found as well as nylon or synthetic (non-cotton) running pants
• Sierra Trading Post
• Uncle Dan’s
• REI – choose the outlet link for clearance

If you are still having trouble or concerns about getting the gear you need, reach out to College Programming and Orientation.

You may still apply without your CNetID. However, you should ensure that you claim your CNet ID submit your UChicago Card ID photo before you come to campus for POP. You will receive information on both of these processes over the summer.

Yes. Participants will be asked to indicate specific dietary requirements or any food allergies on the program acceptance form, but we have accomodated a wide variety of dietary restrictions and allergies. If you have specific concerns about this aspect of the trip, please contact College Programming and Orientation.