Franklin & Marshall College

What Do PITers Do?

PIT participants, or "PITers" as they are referred to, begin by moving into their dorm room and getting to know their fellow group members and PIT Advisors.

PITers spend the next three days with team members working at various service project sites. Evenings are filled with fun team  building activities like bowling, the famous PIT Color Wars contest and laser tag.  

PITers will also become more familiar with Lancaster city.  You will visit Lancaster's famous Central Market as well as other landmarks of the historic city.

PIT Leadership

Upperclassmen PIT Peer Advisors, or PAs as we call them, volunteer to return to campus early just to be involved with the PIT program and for the opportunity to get to know you!  PA's  serve as team leaders for each PIT Group. They help you move in, become your mentors and help you get acquainted with the F&M campus and the Lancaster community.

If you have questions about PIT, please contact Teri Mueller, who oversees the PIT program and is assistant director at the Ware Institute.

PIT Entry Form & Program Information

All incoming first-year students will be mailed an invitation to participate in this year's PIT program by the end of May.  The link to the online entry form will be available on this web page from June 1-15.  

Space is limited to the first 80 registrants and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.  Students who have been accepted into the program and those on the waitlist will be notified on or before July 15.

Program Cost

The $250 program fee includes meals, event tickets, transportation and supplies for the four-day program. Upon acceptance, this fee is posted directly to the student account after scholarships are determined.  Scholarships are available based on financial need. The online application has a question where you can indicate if you want to be considered for a scholarship.

PROGRAM DATES: August 21-24, 2018 

August 21: You will move into your permanent dorm room on Tuesday, 8/21.  PIT Advisors will be there to help you move starting at noon. Most likely, you will not be alone in your hall. Other early arrival students will also be on campus.

August 22-24: A typical day begins at 8:30 for breakfast. Each team will then be transported to their service project locations and work from 9-4 pm. Lunch will be provided at your service site. Evening activities begin around   6 pm.

Team Selection

On the PIT entry form you will be asked to select up to five categories from the list below to indicate what type of service projects you would be interested in:*

• Animal Advocacy
• Arts & Culture
• Community Development
• Economic Development
• Homelessness
• Hunger
• Land Preservation
• Poverty
• Public Education
• Public Health
• Refugees
• Senior Citizens
• Veterans
• Youth Development

QUESTIONS?                                                        Please direct your PIT questions to    Teri Mueller, assistant director at the Ware Institute.