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What COVID safety protocols are in place?

Regular COVID testing is no longer required by Harvard University. The University encourages community members to obtain antigen test kits and have them accessible in the event that you might need to test.

Rapid Antigen Tests are readily available at local pharmacies and through your health insurance. Additional safety measures (including masking) will be determined based on public health conditions.

For information about Harvard's current COVID safety protocols (which are subject to change), visit: https://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/health-wellbeing/  Should a positive case of COVID occur, we will follow the procedures that Harvard has in place at the time. Here is the link to the current quarantine and isolation procedure: https://huhs.harvard.edu/testing-exposure-isolation-quarantine-faqs

What are the 2025 program dates?

The program runs for 11 weeks beginning Tuesday, May 27, 2025 and ending at 5 pm on Friday, August 8, 2025.

The annual Summer Student Symposium will be held on Thursday, August 7, 2025. Family and friends are welcome to attend.
What are students paid?

Student compensation includes the following:

  • Stipend of $7700 for the 11-week session
  • Free furnished housing at Fisher or Raup House
  • Free full meal plan
  • Travel to/from Harvard Forest at the beginning and end of the summer
What are the major health risks?

There are health risks associated with lab and field research. Students working in the lab may be exposed to caustic chemicals and other toxic substances. Students working in the field often travel over uneven ground, and through areas with biting insects, falling trees, and thorny plants.

The most common health problems result from reactions to biting insects, including mosquitoes, wasps and bees, and ticks. The most common cause for medical treatment is when students exhibit symptoms of Lyme disease following a tick bite. We monitor such situations very closely to ensure that anyone showing symptoms of Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics as soon as possible. For more information about Lyme disease, please see Centers for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/ and National Science Foundation (NSF) Discoveries - Lyme Disease: Ten things you always wanted to know about ticks: http://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=131439&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1.

Please know that we work hard to ensure the health and safety off all our staff and students. We spend a substantial portion of the program orientation in safety training. Finally, students are not allowed to do work with hazardous chemicals in the labs during off hours and solo field work is discouraged. 

What is expected of students? What is expected of mentors?

The summer program is a core part of the research and education mission of Harvard Forest. While every student, mentor, and project is different, we place high expectations on all the students and their mentors to ensure everyone has an excellent, albeit demanding, research experience. These expectations are stated explicitly for mentors and students and program staff seek to ensure all participants understand them and act within this spirit.

Students are expected to comply with the Code of Conduct, which they sign as part of their acceptance materials. This code clearly states that all illegal drug use is prohibited and only students who are of legal age to drink may to do so. The Code is taken quite seriously at the Harvard Forest and violation of it may lead to discipline or dismissal from the program. 

What health insurance is provided?

All temporary employees of Harvard Forest are covered by Harvard University's Worker's Compensation policy for injuries sustained while working. Harvard Forest does not provide general health insurance for summer employees. All enrolled undergraduates should be covered by their own health insurance policy. Students injured during non-work time are responsible for the costs of any health care required.

What is the food plan like?

The program includes a complete meal plan, provided by a professional chef with 20+ years experience. Our cook has extensive expertise in addressing food allergies and cooking vegetarian and vegan meals. However, students with very strict dietary needs should work with the chef to develop a reasonable meal plan or may need to do their own cooking. We ask students to answer a food preference survey prior to arrival to assist the chef in planning. Monday through Thursday, students have a self-serve breakfast buffet, and hot lunch and dinner. Friday, the cook makes a special hot breakfast and has a cook-out style lunch for students. Weekends, students are given large quantities of left-overs from the week. The residences have fully stocked kitchens for their use on weekends. Students sign up for 2-3 shifts per week to set-up for, and clean up after, meals in the communal dining hall/kitchen. 

What is the housing like? Will students have a roommate?

Students live at Fisher House (23 beds) or Raup House (16 beds). Most students will have 1 to 3 roommates. While both houses are co-ed, rooms are single-sex.

Please note that linens, blankets, and towels are provided and there are coin-operated laundry facilities located on site. 

What is the contact information at the Harvard Forest?

Telephone:
Raup House 978-756-6192
Fisher House 978-756-6191

The house phones are utilized by all the student interns, so if no one picks up, leave a detailed message with your name, who you're calling for, and the number they can reach you at, or what time you will be calling back.

Emergencies:
Fire or Medical emergencies, Call 911

24-hour Emergency number for heat, plumbing, power or lockout: 1-866-844-4923 reaches on call facilities staff

Mailing Address:
Student Name, Harvard Forest, 324 North Main Street, Petersham, MA 01366 

What is there to do at Harvard Forest during off hours?

Harvard Forest provides:

  • Limited access to Forest vehicles for group educational/recreational activities
  • Computer and internet access
  • Board games, puzzles
  • 6 hybrid bikes for on- and off-road riding
  • 2 canoes and gear for flat water canoeing
  • Volleyball/badminton/basketball equipment
  • Outdoor fire pit and wood
  • Things to do around Harvard Forest and the Region. 
Is there public transportation to Harvard Forest? How do I get there without a car?

There is NO public transportation to Harvard Forest.

We work with all students to get them to and from Harvard Forest safely and expeditiously.

More information with driving directions is available.

What is a proctor and what does he/she do?

Each summer we hire 1-2 live-in proctor(s), who is a combination resident advisor and assistant program coordinator. As program assistants, he/she organizes seminars and workshops, takes photos of student research, help students with research-related issues, and generally assists in the smooth running of the summer program.  As resident advisors, he/she can help organize group activities, counsel students on any problems, ensure students follow the Code of Conduct, and maintain communal house living.