In BUILD, students will engage in a series of fun, collaborative projects to build touchable objects, virtual computer programs, and friendships. The program will be jointly hosted by the Center for Engineering Innovation and Design (CEID) and the Department for Computer Science (CS). The activities will include the use of hardware build tools including the 3d printers, laser cutter, and micro-controllers at CEID, the use of software build tools including basic programming tools, and more specialized programming tools such as machine learning tools. The program will also include surveys of design/build challenges, several staff-led workshops, and an outside tour. No prior experience is necessary but basic programming skill is helpful. For more information on CEID please visit https://ceid.yale.edu, on CS please visit https://cpsc.yale.edu.

Can a shared experience with art help us understand where we come from, who we are, and where we are going? Can art help us understand our shared sense of place? Can creativity and shared perspectives build community? (Hint: The answer to all of these is Yes!)

Camp Yale Arts invites you to join museum educators, faculty, and student leaders as we explore your new home at Yale with artistic expression, creativity, and fun! Through the lens of self-portraits, we will discover new ways to express ourselves and connect as you begin your journey at Yale. Art making and looking, conversation, and shared experiences will be your guide through the Yale art museums and your new home in the New Haven Community.

Cultural Connections (CC) activities center around developing relationships within the CC community and learning about Yale’s student support systems. We do this through the annual Poetry Jam, CC Olympics, Talent Show, and opportunities to interact with faculty, Yale’s cultural centers, and more. In addition, we have critical conversations and reflection on power, privilege, and identity. Our CC counselors are current students and chosen for their familiarity with Yale’s resources, willingness to serve as a mentor to people entering their first year at Yale, and for their diverse interests (academic, community, extracurricular, etc.). These counselors serve as program staff during our program and not only assist us in day-to-day logistics, but more importantly, help create a friendly atmosphere for students starting their Yale journey.

FOCUS on New Haven is a program of Dwight Hall at Yale that engages first-year, transfer, and Eli Whitney students on an immersive experience of learning and service beyond the Yale campus. Students explore the city of New Haven through the lens of community engagement, social justice, and local activism. Students will also build relationships as they engage in many rewarding aspects of New Haven, from volunteering and building capacity at local non-profits, to experiencing fun city-wide events, local architecture, and tasting global dishes from New Haven’s eclectic food scene. Through a guest speaker series, guided discussion, and community service, FOCUS also encourages students to think about ways in which they can engage with, understand, and have a positive impact on their new home.

First-Year Outdoor Orientation Trips (FOOT) is a wonderful community that fosters trust and inclusiveness. Juniors and seniors lead first-year students on four-day backpacking trips in the beautiful mountains and hills of the Northeast. We invite you to join us for an experience that many students say is one of the most formative and important of their time at Yale. On FOOT, students will sleep under the stars in a wilderness setting, share stories and songs around a campfire, and create a new tight-knit bond of friends that supports them throughout the years. FOOT offers a range of trips, from hiking 4 to 6 miles a day, to day hikes from a base camp. In addition, this year arts-focused trips from a base camp will include journal writing, drawing and photography. FOOT is designed for any background and level of camping experience.

Founded in 2003, Harvest is a Camp Yale program run by the Yale Sustainable Food Program (YSFP).  The program is for students excited about food, farming, and community. Harvest begins at the Yale Farm and disperses to 18 farms across the state for three days and nights. Groups of eight incoming first-years led by two dedicated upper-level Harvest-loving leaders spend a few days farming and camping on sustainably stewarded land across Connecticut. Participants experience all aspects of farm life, from harvesting produce to planting crops, to cooking and processing fresh produce. Afternoons and evenings you might find students cooling off in cold water, playing games, or sharing s’mores around a campfire. Harvest trips offer a great opportunity for students to enjoy the outdoors, learn about agriculture in Connecticut, and make a close group of friends before classes begin.



Harvest is designed to introduce students to the food and agriculture systems of Connecticut through embodied practice - no farming or camping experience is necessary. Most importantly, Harvest is for first-years to meet amazing people and have fun. Join us on Harvest and begin your Yale experience with lux et verduras!



For more information, please email the student coordinators at moobahs@gmail.com

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To see photos from previous trips and meet some of our student leaders, check out our Instagram and Facebook pages, linked below.
 

After two unforgettable summers, LAUNCH is back for its third year! LAUNCH's chief goal is helping you develop your innovative pursuits, in order to lead in any industry you choose. We are all about empowering incoming students to break through and make a bigger impact with their lives—whether that's through entrepreneurial ventures, creative and artistic endeavors, or something totally unexpected.

Yale nurtures impactful innovators who often return to campus to share their experiences. Alumni like Jennifer Fleiss (Rent the Runway), Indra K. Nooyi (PepsiCo), Ben Silberman (Instagram), Michael Siebel (Y-Combinator), Robert Lopez (‘Frozen’ composer), Maya Lin (Vietnam Veterans Memorial designer), and Frances Beinecke (Natural Resources Defense Council) have inspired students on campus. You’ll also take part in hands-on workshops at the Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking at Yale, where collaboration and big ideas come to life.

But LAUNCH is so much more than guest speakers and workshops. It’s about the moments that make Yale feel like home before the semester even begins. Experience the thrill of searching for hidden capsules across campus, relaxing on the shores of Connecticut’s beaches, and sharing life stories while indulging in late-night s’mores.

Being in LAUNCH will let you explore the intersection of creativity, community, and impact. We look forward to inspiring you to kickstart your journey.

Orientation for International Students (OIS) is designed to ease the transition of students with an international background by familiarizing them with academic and social life at Yale and the United States. OIS introduces new students to the Yale campus and the city of New Haven, and includes discussions about academics, U.S. culture, campus life, extracurriculars, and finances. There will also be time to set up bank accounts, get cell phones, and shop for those essential items not brought from home. Most importantly, OIS provides the occasion to get to know other students who have come from around the world to study at Yale. OIS is organized and led by OISS (Office of International Students and Scholars) staff and student counselors.

Yale Campus Recreation (YCR) is an engaging orientation program for incoming first-year students, designed to help you meet your fellow Yalies while navigating your transition into college life.

This program focuses on and exposes first year students to the programs and services offered by YCR including Payne Whitney Gym (PWG), Yale Athletic Fields, Intramural Sports, Club Sports, Fitness and Wellness programs and the Outdoor Education Center (OEC).

By participating in YCR, students will build lasting relationships with peers and upper-level mentors in a fun and active environment. Students will participate in various recreational activities while visiting PWG, the Yale Athletic Fields, and the OEC.

Yale Reserved is a Camp Yale Program designed for students who enjoy moments of solitude, low-key events, and time for reflection. We recognize those who are not inherently outgoing as contributing and valuable members of our community at Yale. Throughout our program we will assist you in developing skills and strategies to flourish in college. Moving to a new environment and meeting new people can be an intimidating and overwhelming experience. From ice breakers to class presentations, college is filled with expectations for you to be highly involved and conversational. Constant socializing can take you outside your comfort zone and challenge you. We understand the value of a familiar and low-pressure environment that does not stress you out. The goals of Yale Reserved are to provide students the language to articulate their needs from campus communities and express the strengths of their quiet nature. Most importantly students will have fun and meet new friends!