Camp Yale Adds Two New Orientation Programs

staff reporter

Tim Tai, Photo Editor

This fall, Camp Yale, our inaugural orientation program, will feature six existing programs plus two new “mid-orientation” programs focused on personal reflection and entrepreneurship.

Yale Reserved wants to take the first few years to come as a journey of self-reflection, while LAUNCH focuses on entrepreneurship. These changes come after the university rebranded its first-year orientation as “Camp Yale.” rebuilt Interim Orientation Program — Formerly known as the Preorientation Program. Last fall, freshmen chose a mid-term orientation program among the first-year outdoor orientation trip, BUILD, FOCUS, Harvest, and orientation for international students.

“We wanted to give all new students more options to join the Camp Yale program,” Yale College Vice Chancellor Hannah Peck wrote in News. “There are so many great opportunities on the Yale University campus. This program provides a way for students to connect with their peers, seniors, and community on campus all at once.”

Yale Dean Pericles Lewis told News the overall restructuring of Camp Yale took place last fall. — Where all students moved in on the same day and attended their first class-wide orientation — It worked, but there are still “tweaks” in the schedule. In addition to adding these new programs, Lewis added that the dean’s office is still working on designing when first-year enrollment will take place.

Peck writes that the Yale Reserve is aimed at students who enjoy “moments of solitude, low-key events and hours of contemplation.” Organized by Peck, the focus is on helping freshmen make an impact through entrepreneurship, according to Peck.

The Yale Reserve is organized by Matthew McComeneau, Director of the Native American Cultural Center and Vice Chancellor of Yale College. Maccomenau wrote that he hopes the program will help students develop skills that will help them succeed in college.

“The Yale Reserve recognizes people who are inherently unsociable as contributing and valuable members of our community at Yale,” Makomenau wrote in News. “Focus on reflection, wellness and p To do.Professional and academic dialogue. “

Ten student counselors join Makomenau to lead the program. Student counselors lead discussions on how to public speaking, advocate for yourself, and build personal and professional networks.

He added that the Yale Reserve includes opportunities to rejuvenate after high-energy activities through activities such as board games, movies and reading, as well as wellness practices such as exercise and meditation. All of these activities are aimed at helping students adjust to the intimidating and overwhelming experience that moving to Yale will bring, writes McComenow.

LAUNCH, another new mid-orientation program, also opens up new opportunities for students, but focuses on entrepreneurship rather than self-reflection.

Grace Gerwe ’25, president of the Yale Entrepreneurial Society, wrote that YES proposed LAUNCH in July 2022. They received formal approval for the program in December.

According to Gerwe, LAUNCH attendees will talk to top entrepreneurs, attend innovation workshops, go on day hikes and beach trips, and explore the Yale campus through a late-night scavenger hunt. or have a “giant hackathon-style sleepover.”

“I hope [attendees] Starting out with the knowledge that entrepreneurship is a viable, fun, and supported career path at Yale University, of great people who are ready to take more risks, think for themselves, and make an impact. Arm yourself with the courage to find a supportive community at Yale University. ” wrote in the news.

Gerwe added that LAUNCH will use the Tsai CITY space for its activities and will work with them to recruit speakers. In addition to Gerwe, Teo Dimov ’26 and Seth Goldin ’26 work on planning the daily program, allocating budgets, and hiring counselors. Many of our counselors are YES members.

Last year’s Camp Yale programming bulldog bash.