COLLEGE HOUSE EVENTS
Rowboating on the Schuylkill
This trip will bring residents to Bartram's Garden, a National Historic Landmark on the Tidal Schuylkill River in Southwest Philadelphia, for its free public boating program. Residents will have the opportunity to try rowboating (or kayaking) on the river, with all equipment, life jackets, and basic instruction provided by staff on-site. No pre-registration or prior experience is necessary, and the program is suitable for all ages and skill levels. Following the boating activity, the group will head to a nearby spot for lunch and ice cream, giving residents a relaxed way to unwind and bond together. This excursion offers residents a low-cost way to explore Philadelphia's natural spaces while building community outside the dorm setting.
Coffee and Nature Walk
Coffee and Nature walk invites residents to unwind from the first few weeks of school and connect through a morning outing combining a coffee run and nature. Van and Vivian will lead residents to grab drinks at Mr.Rabbit Coffee Shop, followed by a peaceful walk along Schuylkill River. The walk offers the chance for residents to decompress, enjoy fresh air, and build connections with one another.
Food, Culture & Community: Southeast Asian Market
Join RAs for an afternoon at FDR Park’s Southeast Asian Market. We’ll take a short walking tour of the park’s history, explore the market together, chat with vendors, and get to know each other through icebreaker questions along the way. A great chance to build community and explore one of Philly’s most vibrant cultural spaces just outside campus.
Apple Picking @ Linvilla Orchards
Biosphere's first-every House event: Apple Picking at Linvilla Orchards! This event will take place on Saturday, September 19th! We plan to leave at 11am and return by 3:30pm! Transportation is provided! To secure your spot, please RSVP and drop off a $10 deposit to the house office by September 16th at noon! Don’t worry—the deposit will be returned when you attend the event!
News & Announcements
The Quad, then and now
Riepe Faculty Director answers questions about the College Houses
CHAS Technology celebrates its 2025-26 student team
College House Program Communities
Got a passion for a particular subject? Want to live with other Penn students and faculty who share that passion? Check out our Program Communities, an optional but rewarding experience for those who share a curious nature.
CHAS Signature Initiatives
College House Undergraduate Research Program
At Penn, undergraduates learn how to be researchers! CHAS and the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (CURF) coordinate one of the only interdisciplinary research support programs on campus.
Music in the Houses
In partnership with the Department of Music, CHAS offers in-House music lessons and chooses Undergraduate Music Fellows to create musical events in the Houses.
Film & Cinema in the Houses
The College Houses have been a hub of film and filmmaking at Penn for decades. Here's how we support cinema in the Houses.