Overview
About the program
The University of Rochester First-Year Orientation Outing Treks (FOOT) program, established in 2005, offers incoming first-year students the opportunity to arrive on campus early, connect with their classmates, and explore some of western New York's most beautiful natural wonders.
FOOT begins a few days before Fall Welcome Week starts, allowing participants to move into their on-campus housing assignments early. Once the program is finished, FOOT participants will join their classmates for Welcome Week traditions, social events, and informational programs.
2026 program treks and activities
Chimney Bluffs State Park
Experience dramatic landscapes and incredible views as you spend a morning hiking along the shores of Lake Ontario.
Visit park site
Letchworth State Park
Spend the entire day exploring the "Grand Canyon of the East" with its impressive gorges and waterfalls.
Visit park site
Indoor rock climbing
Climb to new heights alongside your Trek Leaders and new friends as you take on one of Rochester's best indoor rock climbing gyms.
Kayaking on the Genesee River
Spend time paddling along the Rochester's most important waterway and taking in city sights.
2026 program details
The 2026 FOOT program will run from Saturday, August 22 through the end of Monday, August 24.
Please note: All program activities will finish prior to Tuesday, August 25, allowing trekees to fully participate in Fall Welcome Week. The last day of the FOOT program (Monday, August 24) does overlap with the first Fall Arrival Day. However, there are no required events on this day, so FOOT participants will not miss any mandatory programs.
Expand the items below to view additional details of this year's FOOT program.
Capacity and eligibility
The 2026 FOOT program is limited to 100 participants. In order to participate, you must be an incoming first-year undergraduate student (beginning your studies in August 2026) at the University of Rochester in the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, the School of Arts & Sciences, and/or the Simon Business School.
Cost
The program cost is $250 USD per student. Limited scholarships are available based upon need. If you would like to be considered for a scholarship, please indicate your interest on the registration form.
Required forms
In addition to the program registration form, all participants are required to submit the health and special needs form and the permissions and liability waiver form by Friday, July 31, 2026 in order to participate in the FOOT program. These forms will be sent to your University email address after registration closes in early July. Failure to submit these forms by the deadline may result in removal from the program.
Cancellation policy
If you need to cancel your registration, please contact us as soon as possible at orientation@rochester.edu or (585) 275-4414. Please note that our cancellation policy is in place because the FOOT program begins incurring costs soon after registration.
If you cancel your registration:
- On or before July 14: may cancel without incurring a fee
- Between July 20-26: will be charged $50 administrative fee on your fall 2026 tuition bill
- On or after July 27: will be charged 50% of the price of the program fee ($120) on your fall 2026 tuition bill
- On or after July 31: will result in a fee equal to the full price of the registration fee ($250) charged to your fall 2026 tuition bill
Supplies and gear
As a participant, you are expected to bring the following items for the 2026 treks. If you need additional information about appropriate gear or have concerns about item availability, please contact us.
Required items:
- Comfortable clothing to hike in (recommend cotton-free fabrics)
- Socks
- Sturdy sneakers, trail shoes, and/or hiking boots (broken-in)
- Water bottle
Items that are not required, but can be helpful:
- Backpack or hiking day pack
- Bug spray
- Hat
- Rain jacket
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
Arrival and move-in
You must be able to move into your assigned on-campus housing on Saturday, August 22 (no alternate move-in dates will be allowed).
On arrival day, you can head to your residential area office anytime between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to pick up your room key and campus ID card and move into your assigned on-campus housing. Please make sure to finish up your move-in process before 5:30 p.m., so you can attend the welcome dinner and mandatory training at 6:30 p.m. that evening.
Register
2026 program registration
Registration for the 2026 FOOT program opens on Tuesday, May 26 at 9 a.m. (EDT). Participants will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis until the program reaches capacity (100 students) or by Wednesday, July 1.
Fall 2026
Trek Leaders
Meet the current Rochester students who will serves as this year's Trek Leaders! Not only will they guide you on your outdoor adventures, but they'll also help welcome you to campus and connect with your new home away from home.
Coming soonQuestions?
We've got answers!
The Office of Orientation and New Student Programs is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. to answer all your questions about the FOOT program and the new student experience at Rochester. You can reach us at (585) 275-4414 or orientation@rochester.edu.