Cornell University has announced the fifth annual Pre-Orientation Service Trips (POST), a community service project coordinated by the university's Public Service Center. POST gives new students an opportunity to participate in hands-on community service in Ithaca, learn about the local community and make a group of new friends in the week before Cornell's official new-student Orientation.

Beginning Aug. 13 and ending Aug. 17, 40 incoming Cornell students -- both first-year and transfer students -- will spend their days and nights exploring the Ithaca community through service and educational programming. Daytime hours will be devoted to participating in service projects in the community. The projects, developed by the Public Service Center, will include having the students participate in volunteer work with the Ithaca City School District, 4-H, the Reconstruction Home and other local agencies.

During the evenings, the students will take part in a number of activities designed to orient them to the Ithaca community. These activities will include an informal chat with community leaders, a scavenger hunt on the Commons and a hike in a local park. The program will conclude with an Aug. 17 celebratory picnic at Robert H. Treman State Park.