Frosh Trip Fun!


Saturday November 07, 2009  

Outdoor Action Frosh Trip Program

Since its inception in 1974 over 14,840 Princeton students, incoming frosh have participated in the OA Frosh Trip program. You can read the information from the previous Frosh Trip to get an idea about next fall's program.

Application Materials


Online Application is now Available


You will need your University NetID and Password to submit your application online. The NetIDs have been mailed to all members of the Class of 2013.

More than 730 members of the Class of 2013 have already applied! Find out who is going on Frosh Trip.

Dates for Frosh Trip 2009 for the Princeton Class of 2013

Application materials will be mailed out to all incoming students in late May 2009. All the materials will also be available online.

  • Around May 25, 2009 - Information and application materials for the Frosh Trip mailed to all incoming sudents.
  • June 4 , 2009 - Applications available online through the Outdoor Action Web Site. The trip is filled on a first-come, first-served basis based on postmark or Web application date.
  • June 30, 2009 - Application Deadline
  • Mid-July 2009 - Acceptance information letter and equipment list mailed to all accepted participants.
  • Saturday, September 5, 2009 - Arrive at Princeton - students can move into their dorm rooms. The Housing Office will be from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM for students to get their room keys.
  • Saturday, September 5, 2009- Frosh Check-in at Dillon Gym at 3:00 PM
  • Sunday,September 6, 2009 - Frosh Trip Departs
  • Friday, September 11, 2009 - 4:00 - 8:00 PM - Frosh Trip Returns
  • Friday, September 11, 2009 - 10:00 PM - 1:00 PM - Frosh Trip Post-trip Dance Party
  • Saturday, September 12, 2009 - Orientation Week Begins

Frosh Trip Applications for 2009 will be mailed in late May. The Online Application will be available june 1, 2009

Acceptance Information

If you've been accepted to the program you'll receive a copy of the Acceptance letter and an Equipment list. If you don't receive either of these by mid-July please check the Going on Frosh Trip list to make sure that we received your application.

A first year student talks about her Frosh Trip Experience

I was extremely scared about beginning college and the OA trip really helped to allay most of my fears. I got to become really close with a group of 10 people, all of whom I’ve remained friendly with on campus. In the wilderness atmosphere you get the chance to learn so much about these people who all seemed so strange and different. I learned that all ten of us had the same fears and insecurities about starting college; making new friends, handling schoolwork, becoming small fish in an incredibly large pond. The OA trip really taught me that first impressions mean absolutely nothing, that I should place more faith in my physical abilities (I never thought I could survive a backpacking trip), and interpersonal abilities (I usually consider myself shy and reserved, but my group members didn’t see me that way at all), and that no matter how alone I may feel sometimes, everyone is really feeling just as scared and unsure of themselves as I am.

One of the most valuable aspects of the trip for me was the nightly debriefings. These really gave our group a chance to reflect on the challenges and triumphs of the day and observe how our relationships with each other and with ourselves were changing. Our final night debriefing on the trail, during which we all went around saying things we liked/admired about each other, was especially valuable. So much of your self-view depends on how you think others view you, and hearing positive feedback from the people you’ve opened up and exposed your vulnerabilities to was just so incredible.

The most incredible part of my trip though, had to have been my fearless leaders, Andrew and Erin. I have so much respect for them and for the way they handled themselves throughout the trip. I really feel like we all became good friends with them, we joked around on the trail and genuinely had a good time. But both knew when and how to appropriately assume the role of leaders. They carried far more than their share of weight on the trail, responded to our complaints, motivated us, made sure we ate and drank enough, mediated small disputes that arose....What really amazed me about these two was how they fit perfectly into the dual roles of friend and leader, and could transition effortlessly between the two without compromising either. Erin and Andrew were also invaluable resources for everything we wanted to know about Princeton. They tirelessly fielded all our questions answering honestly and helpfully.

In conclusion, I want to reiterate what an absolutely incredible experience OA was for me. I am so glad I decided to participate in the program. The trip exceeded my highest expectations in every way. Thank you for facilitating such a wonderful program here at Princeton.