Frequently Asked Questions
For First Years:
Do I have to bring my own gear?
You can, but AESOP also has an assortment of gear to borrow.
Do I have to go on an AESOP trip?
Yes, AESOP is a mandatory part of the orientation experience. It is a foundational part of the First Year Experience here at Bates and your first opportunity to build community and get to know your new home!
Due to NCAA regulations, First-Years on the following teams DO NOT participate in AESOP:
- Football
- Men’s Soccer
- Women’s Soccer
- Volleyball
- Field Hockey
Do I have to share a tent with other people?
Yes, if you are on a trip that sleeps in tents.
Will my dietary restrictions/allergies be accommodated on my AESOP trip?
Yes! The AESOP team review the dietary information for all students and makes changes to the menus as necessary.
If I submitted my AESOP form after the due date, will my trip preferences still be taken into account?
Yes!
What if I didn’t submit the form before Trip Assignments are sent out?
Any student that does not submit the AESOP form will be placed on a low-activity level trip that sleeps on campus.
How many people are on each trip?
Most trips have 8 students and two leaders, while the maximum is 10 students and two leaders.
Will I get placed on a trip that wasn’t one of my six choices?
No. We try our hardest to get all incoming students onto one of their top four trip choices.
Can I bring my cellphone on my trip?
We strongly encourage no/limited cell phone use on your trips, but if they need to be used they must not interfere with the experience of others on the trip.
What do we eat on AESOP trips?
For Leaders:
Do I need to attend Leadership Week if I have been an AESOP Leader before?
Yes! Leadership Week is mandatory for all AESOP leaders, even if they have been leaders in previous years.
What day do I need to be back on campus for AESOP?
If you are leading a trip that requires Wilderness First Aid, you are expected to arrive back on campus by the evening of August 21st, 2024. If you previously have obtained WFA certification and/or going on a trip that does not require Wilderness First Aid, you will need to be back on campus by the evening of August 23rd, 2024.
How do I know if I need Wilderness First Aid to lead my trip?
The AESOP team will let you know if you need WFA for your trip. All backpacking, basecamping, canoeing, and day hiking trips require leaders to be WFA certified.
When does Leadership Week start?
Excluding Wilderness First Aid, Leadership Week starts at 8am on August 25th.
When will I know which first years are on the trip I am leading?
The AESOP team sends the rosters for each trip to the leaders approximately two weeks before Leadership Week so that you can start communicating and getting to know them before they arrive.
Do I need to bring my own gear?
You can, but AESOP also has an assortment of gear to borrow.
Where is the Leadership Week schedule posted?
We email the Leadership Week schedule out approximately one week before arrival, and we’ll be going over the schedule of events each morning of the week.
Can I apply to be an AESOP Leader when I am abroad?
Yes! You will conduct your interview with your co-leader over Zoom rather than in person.
How will I get van certified if I didn’t do it in the spring?
We have time scheduled into Leadership Week for all leaders that did not complete their Van Certification Training in the spring.