PIT: Putting It Together in the Community
Putting It Together in the Community
2013 Program Information
MAY 15-JUNE 15: PIT Application period. All first years will receive a letter inviting their participation. The application will only be open between May 15-June 15.
ALL PIT Applicants will be advised of their status via by mail and/or email after June 15.
AUGUST 18-22: Program takes place
Who Can Apply: Open to first-year students only. Please note that international students and students who participate in early athletics programs will not be able to apply.
Cost: $200, to be paid after you are accepted into the program. This fee includes room, board and all activities. Scholarships: A limited number of scholarships for PIT are available, based on financial need. You can indicate if you wish to be considered for a scholarship on the application form. By checking the box on the application you are authorizing the Financial Aid office to release to the Ware Institute your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as calculated on the FAFSA form.
PIT participants will move into the room they will be staying in during the semester. Upperclassman (PIT Planning Assistants) assist students and begin acclimating them to the campus.
There are four primary PIT groups you can choose from when you apply:
- Let's Get Ready for School This program is designed to help children from the School District of Lancaster, ages 5 and 6, prepare for the transition to first grade. Students will take the children on field trips as well as participate in other fun games and activities.
- Friends for Life Befriending seniors in adult day care is a very rewarding and invigorating experience. A typical day consists of playing games, talent shows and much more. Enthusiasm and the ability to listen are two necessary qualities.
- Building Lancaster This group spends working with the Lancaster area community on building or renovation projects.
- Clean Air, Clean Water "Interested in the environment" and "enjoys getting dirty" are the two main requirements for this program!
- One Goal One goal uses soccer to help recently resettled refugees become educated on American culture through the universal language of sportsmanship and teamwork. Our student mentors will impact the lives on young children on and off the soccer field.
- Other groups may be added to the program, depending upon response.
Please Note: We are unable to accept applications from any student who is not available each day of the program. Unfortunately, this includes international students and students who arrive on campus early for athletics.
2012 PIT Assistant (PA) Biographies
If you have questions about the PIT program, please feel free to call the Ware Institute at 717-291-4164.
Program Focus and Goals
PIT was established to help School District of Lancaster children who were starting school each Fall and has grown since then to encompass other community focus areas.
The pilot workshop was held in 1997 with the Franklin & Marshall Class of 2001. The following year, the program's size doubled from 10 participants to 21. Since 1999, we've been enrolling 50 incoming first-year students. In 2009 we increased the number of PIT spots to 65.
The PIT program has been designed to accomplish the following goals:
- Acclimate first-years to the F&M Community by introducing them to campus leaders, club opportunities and campus life.
- To break down the barrier between the F&M community and the Lancaster community, demonstrating our responsibilities beyond campus and the positive, powerful effects we can have.
- creating opportunities for first-year students to be immersed in community service projects
- nurturing the leadership qualities of students who choose to act in the Lancaster community for the sake of others
- encouraging first-year students to think critically about social issues and human need at the individual, communal, societal, and global levels.
