Apply to be a FOOT Leader!

The 2024 FOOT Leader Application is now closed. If you submitted an application and have not heard back about an interview by Friday, 2/16/24, please contact poobahs@gmail.com. Thank you for your interest!

FOOT leaders play a crucial role in the success of the program. During the August trips, leaders are responsible for not only the safety of the FOOT group, but also for fostering an enjoyable, stimulating group environment. FOOT leaders must possess sensitivity, compassion, enthusiasm, and the ability to think calmly and quickly under pressure. Leadership experience takes many forms, and group skills are as essential to a good trip as outdoors skills. If you think you would like to be a FOOT leader but do not have outdoors experience or did not participate in FOOT as a first-year, please do not hesitate to apply. Also, you do NOT need to buy or find your own equipment. We will teach you the skills necessary to lead backpacking trips through several leader training courses and lend you any equipment you may need. Anyone who graduates in December 2025 or later is encouraged to apply, though we will unfortunately not be accepting applications from sophomores currently studying abroad or who will be studying abroad in Fall 2024. 

The application, which will be linked here starting on Monday, January 29th, consists of written questions, a Personal Information Form, and a 10-minute interview. To begin, download the 2024 application, complete the written questions, and save the file as a PDF. This document should contain no personal identifying information but the file name must be your Student ID number (e.g., 919456789.pdf). The Student ID number (SID) is the nine-digit number at the bottom-left of your Yale ID, and can also be viewed on Yale SIS.

You will then complete a few questions on the Personal Information Form and upload your PDF. Please carefully read the instructions in the application document regarding the Form.
 
All applications will receive two anonymous readings, and each applicant will be interviewed before Spring Break.
 

FOOT Leader Requirements (these dates are subject to change):

April 5: New Leader Meet and Greet
 
April 13: Shakedown and EQ Day (welcoming new FOOT leaders and sorting through equipment)
 
May 10-16: May Training: Two days of leader skill workshops, and a four-day training backpacking trip. Housing will be provided May 9th (“move out day” after finals end on May 8th). Leaders leave campus May 16th.
 
August 14: Pre-FOOT Training begins: ~1 week of refreshing skills on campus and preparing to welcome the first-years. All leaders return to campus August 13th.
 

Attendance is mandatory at all FOOT training sessions. If you have any questions, please feel free to email poobahs@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
 

Priscilla Kellert

Ben Crair

Ketty Nguyen

Program Director

Co-Coordinator

Co-Coordinator