The Pre-Orientation Program is an optional, five-day outdoor adventure offered from August 21-25 to incoming first-year Hobart and William Smith students. The program provides a wonderful chance to experience backpacking, meet classmates, learn new skills, ease into the collegiate lifestyle and have a bit of fun before classes start.
The people you'll meet during the Pre-Orientation Adventure Program may turn out to be some of the best friends you'll make in college. The trip leaders foster an open and comfortable atmosphere regardless of background, race, sexual orientation, culture, experience level or religion.
Students of all experience levels are welcome! So if you've hiked the Presidential Range or only camped out in your backyard, that's OK! We will offer 11 concurrently running trips, each made up of eight first-year students and two upper-class guides. Backpacking and kayaking trip destinations include in the Adirondack Mountains and Finger Lakes Region. A Geneva-based service-learning trip will also be offered.
The trip will cost $375, which can be billed to your student account or you can pay by check. There is financial aid available, so please indicate on your online application if you feel you qualify.
If you'd like to learn more about the program, read testimonials from last year's POAP students. If you think you're interested, please read about the Pre-Orientation trips and learn more about what to bring, where we’ll be going, what forms to fill out and what to expect!
Good luck, and welcome to Hobart and William Smith Colleges!
