Harvard First-Year Outdoor Program
Source: https://fop.fas.harvard.edu/ Parent: https://dso.college.harvard.edu/pre-orientation
Welcome to FOP!
2026 Leader Applications Open!
Do you want to lead a First-Year Outdoor Program trip? 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.
Welcome to FOP!
The First-Year Outdoor Program (FOP) is Harvard’s largest and oldest pre-orientation program. Since 1979, thousands of students have started their Harvard college experience by going on a FOP trip. In 2025, over 300 participants explored the Native Northeast's finest forests, mountains, and lakes in small groups. But FOP is not just an outdoors trip; it is an opportunity to build a sense of community, reflect on your hopes for college, and enter with both confidence and a network of close friends. No outdoor experience is required!
Our variety of week-long hiking, site-based, service, and switch (part hiking, part canoeing) provide an excellent learning environment where cooperation, initiative, and reflection lead to the development of a strong community and to personal insights that are helpful even in the urban setting of Harvard. Trips are designed for all levels of experience and fitness (including accessible outdoor experiences) and are led by Wilderness First Aid trained and experienced upperclassmen students. FOP is run by an undergraduate steering committee and a director, and is administratively operated through Harvard College's Dean of Students Office.
Mission Statement
The mission of FOP is to provide group adventure-based experiences that promote the development of social support and self-awareness for first-year students, and leadership development for members of the Harvard community. FOP should be a resource and support system throughout freshman year. FOP also maintains the following as central values:
- Compassion
- The equality and intrinsic worth of all people regardless of gender, age, race, sexual Orientation, religion, ethnic or socioeconomic background
- Responsibility to community
- Care and responsibility to the environment
Goals of the Program
The goals of FOP for each participant are as follows:
- Improve the transition from high school to Harvard
- Make friends with fellow first-years and upperclassmen who can support and encourage each other
- Learn about cooperation, initiative, and endurance in a wilderness setting, leading to insights which may transfer to life at Harvard
- Develop a sense of community and a positive connection with Harvard as a whole
FOP 2026! Coming Soon...
Hey Class of 2030! We can't wait for you to join us on FOP this year! Official dates will be announced soon. Last year, move-in was August 18th and trips ran from August 20th to August 25!
Until then, as always, please feel free to reach out to us by email at fop@fas.harvard.edu with any questions, concerns, or cookies :)
Latest News
### FOP 2026 Leader Applications Are Open!
December 08, 2025
### Announcing the FOP 2025 Training Class!
February 12, 2025
### Thank You to SC '24 and Announcing SC '25
November 04, 2024