That's a wrap on this year's HOOT Experience! We can't wait for HOOT 2027!
Find your community and get a head start on your Honors requirements in the context of adventure and skill-building
HOOT makes the transition to college easy and fun, offering first year Honors students the opportunity to make connections and build a sense of belonging in a challenging and exciting environment.
The Honors College is extremely fortunate to have partnered with Dr. Brent Bell, who played a leading role in the design and implementation of HOOT. Dr. Bell is nationally recognized as an expert in the field of experiential education, with particular expertise in outdoor adventure education and college outdoor orientation programs. In recognition of his significant contributions to the field, Dr. Bell has been named the by the Association for Experiential Education. This annual honor recognizes educators whose careers have made significant contributions to the research, development, and advancement of experiential education. We are incredibly proud to offer this exceptional opportunity to our incoming first year Honors students each year.
The HOOT Experience
HOOT participants move into their residence halls early, typically on the Wednesday before move-in weekend.
Then they spend 3 days/2 nights camping, adventuring, and building community on 100+ acres of private forest at , UNH's partner in Innovative Learning.
Finally, students join the rest of the first-year population on Friday afternoon, in time for Wildcat Days, UNH's new student move-in weekend experience.
Through a program thoughtfully designed by UNH's outdoor leadership educators and Honors College staff, HOOT participants will:
- Meet other first-year Honors students
- Learn what opportunities Honors has to offer
- Have early dorm room access
- Cultivate new skills in a unique, historical environment
Cost for 2026: $150
Discounts are available for students with financial need.
All meals and gear are provided.
Open to students of all abilities.
The 2026 HOOT experience is capped at 40 students. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
HOOT is not a substitute for First Year Orientation in June.
HOOT allows incoming students to start creating connections with their UNH Honors College classmates and staff, so that by the time classes start students have already found a comfortable home in the Honors community.
