Stanford Pre-Orientation Trips (SPOT)
The dates for SPOT 2013 are Wednesday, September 11 to Tuesday, September 17. Participant registration for SPOT will open in June. Additional updates regarding the registration process will be made as they become available.
For your convenience, below you will find program information and FAQs general to SPOT.
Looking for information about leading SPOT?? Go to leadSPOT.stanford.edu or click on the SPOT Leader Training link to the right.
-The SPOT Coordinator Team
Program Details // General SPOT FAQ // SPOT Wilderness Trips FAQ // SPOT Service Learning Trips FAQ // Arriving Early // Fees and Financial Aid // Contact Us
PROGRAM DETAILS
SPOT Wilderness Trips
The SPOT wilderness trips will take you out into the beautiful California wilderness for a five-day backpacking trip. Many of our participants are first time backpackers, and our leaders are excited to facilitate an enjoyable pre-orientation outing. Your group of 7-12 new students and 2-3 trip leaders will be entirely self-sufficient, carrying everything you need for the week in your backpacks. You will spend each day hiking about 4-7 miles with plenty of rest breaks. You will take in the amazing views as you cross mountain passes, feel refreshed as you swim in alpine lakes, and have lots of time to get to know your SPOT group. The focus of these trips is on sharing a wilderness experience, getting to know each other, and preparing for the transition to college-life and the year ahead. In the evening, at the campsite for that night, you will play games, share stories, and discuss life at Stanford with your leaders. At the end of the trip, you’ll return to campus energized, with a fresh perspective and a new group of friends, ready to begin New Student Orientation.
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Eastern Sierra Wildland Stewardship and Exploration Trip
The Eastern Sierra is a fantasyland for the outdoor enthusiast. Encompassing the area east of Yosemite National Park south to Mount Whitney and beyond there is a lifetime of exploration, learning and fun to be had there. Another name for the region is the Inyo, a Paiute Indian word meaning “home of the great spirit” and we’ll be joined on this trip by the local group “Friends of the Inyo” which works to help protect and preserve the public lands of the Eastern Sierra. Well-known landmarks of the area include Mono Lake, the John Muir and Ansel Adams Wilderness, Mammoth Mountain (an active volcano) and countless peaks and streams. Hiking trails abound and we will spend some time day-hiking a selection of local favorites. The Inyo National Forest administers much of the public land in the Eastern Sierra and, working with Friends of the Inyo, one of our goals on the trip is to lend a hand on a variety of community service projects for the National Forest – after a busy summer tourist season they can surely use the help! This trip will be a great introduction to the area – we’ll spend equal time exploring and working on interesting stewardship projects such as trail and campsite maintenance. Note: This is a camping trip, not a backpacking trip.
SPOT FAQ
Who is eligible to participate in SPOT?
How do I sign up for SPOT?
Why should I participate in SPOT?
Who will my trip leaders be?
Can I get into my dorm room before SPOT begins? What happens to all my stuff?
When should I arrive on campus for SPOT?
Will I participate in the on-campus New Student Orientation program if I attend SPOT?
What about my parents?
Who is eligible to participate in SPOT?
SPOT is open to any freshman or transfer student who is a resident of the United States. International students, however, are required to participate in International Student Orientation details here.
How do I sign up for SPOT?
Registration is conducted online that will be linked to this web page. For 2013, we will be hosting a registration window for lottery. Make sure YOU are registering YOURSELF for SPOT (rather than a parent or friend). Because our trip leaders are students who volunteer their time for SPOT, we can only offer as many trips as we have leaders, so there are a limited number of participant spots available. To ensure that you get a slot, we encourage you to sign up soon after the registration window opens.
Why should I participate in SPOT?
Coming to Stanford early to participate in SPOT might mean giving up a week of a summer job, hanging out with old friends, or time with your family. So why should you participate? SPOT will give you a chance to meet other new Stanford students in a relaxed environment before the school year starts. Spending five days in the outdoors will allow you to make new friends with a variety of different interests, and you’ll know those friends much better than if you had met them at an on-campus function. Because the other participants on your trip will also be new students, they’ll be able to relate to many concerns you may have about starting at Stanford. Often the friends that are made during SPOT stay with our participants for their entire time at Stanford, and even beyond. Finally, the most important reason to participate in SPOT: it’s fun!
Who will my trip leaders be?
Each SPOT trip will have 2-3 trip leaders, all of whom are current or former Stanford students. All trip leaders undergo extensive training to prepare them for the program. These leaders volunteer their time to this program because they are dedicated, wonderful people—we personally believe they are the very best at Stanford—and want to make YOUR freshman experience memorable. Your leaders are excited to welcome you to campus and make your adjustment easier. You can think of them as an ongoing support system – people who you can pepper with questions about life on campus during the trip, or call up just to check in after SPOT is over.
Can I get into my dorm room before SPOT begins? What happens to all my stuff?
Because Stanford dorms are used for other purposes during the summer, you will not be able to get into your dorm room before New Student Orientation (NSO) begins. A very limited amount of storage space will be available on campus while you are on your trip, so please plan to have the majority of your stuff arrive on campus after SPOT is over, whether it is shipped or brought by car. You will be able to check into your dorm room on the morning of September 17th (the first day of NSO), the same time as all other new students. More details about arrival and storage will be emailed to you over the course of the summer.
When should I arrive on campus for SPOT?
Plan to check-in to SPOT headquarters at 1pm on September 11.
Will I participate in the on-campus New Student Orientation program if I attend SPOT?
Yes! SPOT will end in time for you to move into your dorm at the normal move-in time, 8:00am on September 17th, so you will not miss any of the exciting events planned during our six day New Student Orientation (NSO).
What about my parents?
Your parents are welcome to drop you off on campus for the start of SPOT on September 11th, but there will not be activities for parents after drop-off. Make arrangements before SPOT begins about when and where you want to meet your parents on Tuesday, Sept. 17th (Parents are are encouraged to join you on the first day of NSO; there are many programs planned for parents throughout that week).
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SPOT Wilderness Trips FAQ
What if I’ve never been camping before?
What equipment do I need?
What kind of physical shape do I need to be in?
Is there risk involved with participating on these trips?
What will we eat on the trips?
What will the weather be like for Wilderness Trips?
What if I’ve never been camping before?
No previous outdoor experience is necessary to participate in SPOT. Beginners are welcome, and many of our participants will be backpacking for the first time. Our trip leaders can teach you everything you need to know to have a comfortable and enjoyable trip. We do ask that you come with an open mind and a willingness to try new things!
What equipment do I need?
Each participant is responsible for providing his or her own clothing, including rain gear and a set of lightweight hiking boots. A complete packing list will be emailed over the summer, including information on exactly what you’ll need and suggestions on where to purchase affordable gear. Stanford will provide all group equipment, including shelter, stoves, maps, and cooking equipment. If you own them, we encourage you to bring your own backpack, sleeping bag and sleeping pad. Equipment that you bring should meet the following expectations:
•Backpacks: containing a padded waist belt, padded shoulder straps, and at least 4500 cubic inches of space.
•Sleeping bags: mummy style rated at 20 degrees or below. (0 degree bags or colder are recommended for those who easily get cold while asleep)
•Sleeping pads: these are required more for insulation from the cold earth than for comfort. Any foam, Therm-a-Rest, or backpacking-style pad will work (yoga mats not recommended).
•SPOT will be able to provide backpacks, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads if you do not have access to them on your own. Please be sure to check the boxes on your registration to indicate which items you will need to borrow.
What kind of physical shape do I need to be in?
SPOT trips are designed to be appropriate for first-time backpackers, and each group will take frequent rest breaks. We encourage everyone to participate in SPOT even if you’re not a seasoned backpacker; however please recognize that hiking 4-7 miles per day with a full pack (30-50 lbs.) can be physically challenging and strenuous and that our trips will take place at a higher altitude than many participants are accustomed to. Participating in some form of aerobic exercise during the summer will make for a more enjoyable trip.
Is there risk involved with participating on these trips?
Any outdoor activity involves some level of risk. Our SPOT trips manage risk in a variety of ways. For example, each group will carry a complete first aid kit and have at least one leader trained in Wilderness First Aid. Emergency plans will be in place to deal with any difficulties.
What will we eat on the trips?
Good stuff. We will provide all meals and snacks. Breakfast will typically be hot or cold cereal with lots of yummy toppings. Lunches will be eaten on the trail and might include bagels, pita bread, peanut butter and jelly, and cheese. Each group will cook a hot dinner each night such as pasta, burritos, or pita pizzas. Hiking for five days requires lots of energy, so we’ll make sure each group has plenty of food including lots of snacks. We can accommodate most dietary needs, so please be detailed in mentioning life-altering dietary concerns.
What will the weather be like for Wilderness Trips?
Elevations will range from 6,000′ to 10,000’ or higher. Prepare for everything from daytime highs in the 80’s (°F) to nighttime lows below freezing. September is also the tail end of the summer thunderstorm season in the mountains. There is always the possibility of an afternoon thunderstorm, and even a little snow.
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SPOT Service Learning Trips FAQ
What should I bring on the Eastern Sierra Wildland Stewardship and Exploration Trip?
What will the weather be like for the Eastern Sierra Wildland Stewardship and Exploration Trips?
What/where will we be eating?
Will we be working the entire time?
What should I bring on the Eastern Sierra Wildland Stewardship and Exploration Trip?
•Clothing for warm or cold, wet or dry.
•Footwear appropriate for day hiking
•Camp and lounging shoes
•Daypack
•Two quarts capacity water containers
•Sunglasses
•Sun hat
•Warm hat
•Rain jacket and rain pants
•Bathing suit and towel
•Toiletries and medications
•Sleeping bag: mummy style rated at 20 degrees or below. (0 degree bags or colder are recommended for those who easily get cold while asleep)
•Sleeping pads: these are required more for insulation from the cold earth than for comfort. Any foam, Therm-a-Rest, or backpacking-style pad will suffice (yoga mats not recommended).
•SPOT will be able to provide sleeping bags and sleeping pads if you do not have access to them on your own. Please be sure to check the boxes on your registration to indicate which items you will need to borrow.
Note – a more detailed packing list will be provided closer to SPOT.
What will the weather be like for the Eastern Sierra Wildland Stewardship and Exploration Trips?
Elevations will range from 6,000′ to near 10,000′. Prepare for everything from daytime highs in the 80’s to nighttime lows below freezing. September is also the tail end of the summer thunderstorm season in the mountains. There is always the possibility of an afternoon thunderstorm, and even a little snow.
What/where will we be eating?
Breakfast will typically be hot or cold cereal with lots of yummy toppings. Lunches will be eaten out and about and might include bagels, pita bread, peanut butter and jelly, and cheese. Each group will cook a hot dinner each night such as pasta, burritos, or pita pizzas.
Will we be working the entire time?
While we won’t be busy all 24 hours of the day, its important for the group to stick together and do reflection activities outside of the service activities. Plus, we will have fun as a group with some activities of our own.
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ARRIVING EARLY ON CAMPUS
We understand that for some people it will be hard to arrive on campus the day of Check-In, however we are unfortunately unable to provide housing before the 12th of September. Please check the Stanford Visitor’s website for a list of local accommodation options.
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SPOT FEES
The cost to participate in SPOT is $499. This covers all food, group equipment, transportation, and activity expenses for the duration of the program – from 1pm on the 11th to 7:30am on the 17th. It does NOT cover your transportation to Stanford campus prior to check-in, and we cannot provide any transportation to or from airports.
The full payment of $499 is due when you register online. We can only accept payments made by credit card.
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FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
CONTACT US
For more information, feel free to contact us at spot@stanford.edu, or call us at 650-723-2319.
Need a SPOT waiver, click the following link: WAIVER – 2013 Domestic Outdoor Recreation [PDF] Send it by July 31 to:
Attn: SPOT, Stanford Outdoor Education, Bambi Modular, 320 Panama St, Stanford, CA 94305
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