OHIO Honors Early Experience Program

OHIO Honors Early Experience Program

The OHIO Honors Early Experience Program lets selected OHIO Honors Program (OHP) students hit the ground running on their college career. The program features small- and large-group, hands-on activities designed to introduce students to one another, the OHP curriculum, the OHIO campus, and the larger Athens community. Students acclimate to campus life through a personalized, curated experience while becoming familiar with the OHP tenets of personal reflection, place-based learning, and community engagement.

Eligibility:

OHIO Honors Program First-Year Students Residing in Jefferson or Johnson Halls (Honors Housing)

When:

Saturday, August 15 – Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Cost:

$132 meal plan and $125 housing fee, applied to the fall semester bill

Note: The $125 early arrival housing fee can be waived for students who volunteer for the Bobcat Move-In Crew, which assists first-year students with moving into their residence halls. Students for whom the program is cost-prohibitive and who feel unable to participate in the Bobcat Move-In Crew should email Dr. Lisa Martin at lisa.martin@ohio.edu to inquire about financial support.

To qualify for the early arrival housing waiver, you must:

• Attend a training session on Tuesday, August 18 (built into the Early Experience schedule below)
• Complete two, 6-hour shifts on Thursday, August 20 and/or Friday, August 21 during move-in week

For more information, visit the Bobcat Move-In Crew website.

2026 Schedule (subject to change):

While we encourage attendance at each Early Experience event, we also understand that students' individual needs vary. Students can address concerns about the schedule through the application. Our team is happy to work with you to ensure each student feels balanced, safe, and connected.

Saturday, August 15
Arrival

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Arrival and Move-In 
5 – 5:30 p.m. Introductions, program overview 
5:30 – 6 p.m.  Small Group Introductions
6 – 7 p.m. Dinner 
7:15 – 8:15 p.m. Evening Event with Peer Leaders

Sunday, August 16

9 – 9:45 a.m. Breakfast 
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Team Building with Outdoor Pursuits
12:15 – 2:30 p.m. Lunch and Break
2:45 – 4 p.m. Activity Block 1
4:15 – 5:30 p.m. Activity Block 2 
6 – 7 p.m. Dinner
7:15 – 8:15 p.m. Evening Event, Peer Leaders facilitate

Monday, August 17

9 – 9:45 a.m. Breakfast 
10 – 11 a.m.  Meeting with Athens Community Leaders at The Athena
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.  Balloon Activity with Passion Works Studio
12:15 – 2:30 p.m. Lunch and Break (crafts and games available)
2:45 – 3:15 p.m.  Athens and Appalachia
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.  Activity Block 3
4:45 – 5:45 p.m.  Activity Block 4
6 – 7 p.m.  Dinner
7:15 – 8:15 p.m.  Evening Event, Peer Leaders facilitate

Tuesday, August 18

9 – 9:45 a.m. Breakfast 
10 – 10:45 a.m.  Small Group Time
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.  Activity Block 5
12 – 2:30 p.m. Bobcat Move-In Crew Training (if applicable), lunch and break
2:45 – 3:15 p.m.  Getting to Know Your Honors Team
3:30 – 5 p.m. Full Group Activity
5:15 – 5:45 p.m.  Residence Hall Room Show-and-Tell
6 – 6:45 p.m.  Dinner
7 – 9 p.m.  Movie Night at The Athena

Wednesday, August 19 

9 – 9:45 a.m. Breakfast 
10 – 11:45 a.m. Field Trip to The Ridges
12 p.m. Group Photo and wrap-up on Ridges Lawn
12:15 – 1 p.m. Lunch 

Block times include programming on the OHIO Honors Program, explorations in well-being, engagement in a service project, a campus-wide scavenger hunt, and more!

Apply:

Deadline: Space is limited, and interested students are encouraged to apply by June 28. Eligible students will be emailed a direct-link to the application. Those selected to participate will be notified in early July and asked to complete an early arrival housing contract to finalize participation.

Questions? Contact Us:

honors.college@ohio.edu