Pre-Orientation Programs

Students are invited to attend one or more of our pre-orientation opportunities, programs designed to ease your transition into Bucknell by meeting fellow classmates, upperclass students, and university administrators before orientation begins.

 First Year Student Bison Gatherings

Bison Gatherings: Students and families have an opportunity to meet their classmates, members of the University community, upperclass students, alumni and parents over the summer at a Bison Gathering. Held across the country from Connecticut to California, Bison Gatherings provide new students and their families an opportunity to learn more about the orientation program and what to expect the first few days on campus. Invitations will be mailed in early June.

 Buck Wild outdoor program

The Bucknell Wilderness Experience (BuckWild) is a dynamic outdoor experiential program held at the Great Hollow Wilderness School in New Fairfield, Connecticut. Students hike on the Appalachian Trail, rock-climb, and explore caves. Through BuckWild, students learn to develop trust, solve problems in a group setting and persevere through an invigorating experience. Students need not be an athlete or an avid outdoorsperson to participate. All BuckWild participants arrive on campus on Saturday, August 15 and depart for Connecticut on August 16. Applications will be mailed in early June. The application deadline is July 6.

 Building on Foundations

Building on Foundations: Become a BOFer! Building on Foundations (BOF) is a pre-orientation program designed to introduce participants to opportunities for leadership and community service at Bucknell. Open to 56 highly motivated first-year students, BOF is facilitated by BOF Counselors who are veterans of the program. The four-day action-packed sessions, scheduled August 17-20, offer teambuilding activities and community service projects around the Lewisburg community and on campus. Applications for the program will be mailed to all incoming first-year students in early June. The deadline for submission is June 19. BOF is sponsored by the Campus Activities and Programs Office.