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.

CAMP YALE ARTS is a new Camp Yale Program that introduces incoming first-year students to the visual arts across Yale and New Haven through a varied schedule of community building activities, museum visits, curatorial chats, and city-wide outings. Students will learn about the Yale University Art Gallery’s collections from collection and education curators, embark on a museum-wide scavenger hunt, take a field trip to West Campus to visit the Wurtele Study Center and Conservation Lab, and enjoy a picnic while watching Shakespeare in the Park! During breaks, spend some time with your program cohort browsing eclectic books and trying out the delicious pastries at the Gallery’s de facto coffee shop across the street: Atticus Bookstore Café. Come hungry for art, leave full of croissants and new friends.

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. 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.

Harvest is a Yale program for students excited about food, farming, and community. During Harvest, groups of Yale College students spend a few days farming and camping on sustainably stewarded land across the state. Participants experience all aspects of farm life, from harvesting fruits to planting fall crops, to cooking and processing fresh produce. Afternoons and evenings might find students cooling off in a pond, playing volleyball, or sharing s’mores around a campfire. H.A.R.V.E.S.T. (Having A Really Very Excellent Super Time) trips truly live up to their name, offering a great opportunity for students to enjoy the outdoors, learn about agriculture in Connecticut, and make a close group of friends. Harvest is designed for first-year, transfer students, and Eli Whitney students of all backgrounds; no farming experience is necessary.

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

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

LAUNCH is focused on helping incoming students make the biggest impact with their lives through entrepreneurship. At LAUNCH, you will speak with amazing founders such as Anne Wojcicki (23andMe), Michael Seibel (Twitch, Y Combinator), and Max Mullen (Instacart), and engage in collaborative workshops at the Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking at Yale. But, this isn’t just entrepreneurship; during LAUNCH, you’ll find your peers on a day hike or beach trip, get to know campus through a late-night scavenger hunt, and Do Something™ during a giant hackathon-esque sleepover.

LAUNCH is for everyone who wants to change the world – through arts, startups, non-profits, or social impact organizations. No prior entrepreneurial experience is required, only a desire to make a difference, grow and get involved with some of Yale’s coolest people.

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 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!