Service TREK :  F.A.Q.

When are the dates for TREK?

August 17-22, 2013

When and where do I check-in?

TREK check-in will take place on Saturday, August 17th, from 9am-10:30am at the Dudley H. Davis Center located on Main Campus.  Upon arrival, you will be greeted by TREK staff who will help you check in and ensure you have all the gear you need.  The early you arrive (ie: closer to 9am), the more time you'll have to get your things to your residence hall room.   

What happens if I arrive late?

Prior to Group Departure: When contacted in advance, we are typically able to accommodate families unable to make the check-in deadline on the morning of TREK arrival. We'll happily work with TREK families to create a plan regarding: 1) issuing and returning of keys after established move-in hours 2) opportunity for TREK leaders to help late Trekkies inventory gear and receive their portion of group gear and food (Wilderness TREK only) and 3) connecting them with their other group members.

After Groups Have Departed: TREK families will assume all responsibility for transporting students late for TREK, to their program groups, in cases where departure from campus has already occurred. Accommodation will only be possible in cases where: 1) locating group is possible 2) the timeline for connecting with the group will not negatively impact experience and/or designated travel timetable and 3) significant inconvenience or endangerment to TREK leaders, staff or other students is not a concern.  

Parking for Drop-off & Registration

TREK families are asked to park vehicles in designated parking areas only. Jeffords Parking lot is in close proximity to the Davis Center. You will be able to park your car in that lot while you check in on Saturday. The entrance to the Davis Center that is most visible from this lot will be the entrance you want to use to get to check-in. Anyone requiring overnight parking will need to move their vehicles to the Gutterson Garage off of Spear Street and will need to make arrangements with Parking and Transportation Services to obtain a permit.

If you're not familliar with the campus lots - please refer to Parking and Transportation Services' Campus Map.

IMPORTANT PARKING NOTE: You will not be permitted to leave your car on the oval in front of the east entrance to the Davis Center. This area must be kept clear to allow space for the buses transporting TREK students to line up in front of the building.

What Happens if Students Choose to Leave TREK?

There are typically 3 circumstances in which Trekkies leave our program: 1) evacuation due to accident, illness or injury 2) a family emergency arises or 3) students experiencing significant motivation issues and/or physical challenges ask to leave their group. While this is rarely the case, please be aware of the physical & emotional demands of the TREK program you choose.

In cases of student injury or family emergency, TREK staff will work with families to arrange appropriate treatment and/or transportation home. Families are responsible for all cost incurred to transport students from Burlington or will need to make local lodging and food arrangements. Families of TREK students who leave the field for whatever reason are financially & logistically responsible for creating alternative lodging and eating options for their student. While residence hall rooms may be accessed, there is no residence hall staff supervision or food service available until the final day of TREK. There are no refunds available to students needing to leave TREK, regardless of circumstance.

When EXACTLY does TREK end?

On Thursday, August 22nd, all of the TREK programs will arrive back on campus sometime from 10am-3pm.  Students go back to their room, shower, unpack a bit, then meet at the Davis Center for a Closing and Cook-out Dinner.  The dinner begins at 3pm is usually done by 6pm.  That is the last scheduled TREK activity.  

How will it work to move into my room?

After you drop off your gear on Saturday, August 17th, you will receive your residence hall key.  At that time, you will be able to unload belongings into your room or a secure location. (See next question in regards to your room being under construction)  We know you'll be eager to unpack and fix your room the way you like it, but it is imperative that you return to the Dudley H. Davis Center by 11am for the start of the program.   When you return from TREK on the 22nd, you will have that evening and the whole next day to finished getting things set up the way you like them.  All other first year students will be moving in on the 23rd, so you'll actually be ahead of them!  

Will I be able to drop my belongings off in my permanent room?

Due to the summer construction schedule, there is a chance that your permanent room will not be accessible on Saturday, August 17th. If that is the case for you, Resident Life staff will identify a secure storage area for your belongings until you return from TREK on Thursday, August 22nd. At that point you will move into your actual room.

Should my family come back on Thursday the 22nd or Friday the 23rd to help me move in, unpack, and just generally settle in?

It all depends.  They certainly do not have to; you'll be well moved in and will have plenty of time on Thursday night and all day Friday to get things set up.  It can be tricky with family coming on Thursday because there is no way to know exactly when you'll be back from your trip on Thursday, and then on Thursday night, you'll be busy at the Closing Cook Out Dinner, though they can meet you there at 4pm. 

Can my family members stay longer on Saturday, August 17th and finish moving my stuff into my room/setting up my room while I go on TREK?

No.  You will need to turn in your room keys before you leave for TREK.  Your family members are not allowed to go back to your room or stay in your room.   

Can I have a cell phone during TREK?

No.  The use of cell phones during TREK causes significant problems in group dynamics, the group's ability to achieve tasks and goals, and individual students' abilities to focus.  It distracts students from the group and prevents them from being fully present in the TREK experience.  Thus, we ask that students not bring cell phones.   Some family members, however, find great security in the ability to stay connected with their student while on TREK.  Some family members want a regular update or report on the happenings of the week or want to know that they can get in contact with their student in the case of emergency.  Indeed, there are many reasons for wanting to stay connected and for bringing a cell phone to TREK.   Despite all of these reasons, we ask that you refrain from bringing or planning to use a cell phone during TREK.  If there is an emergency, the TREK leaders will have cell phones to use to call for help.  Additionally, family members can call the Student Life Office (802-656-2060) to send along a message to the TREK student.  In this age of connectedness, we know it can be unusual to not stay in contact with others, but that is precisely what makes TREK unique and so powerful for students.  Please do not bring your cell phone!  

How can my friends/family contact me during TREK?

In case of emergency, family members can call the Student Life Office (802-656-2060) to send along a message to the TREK student.  

Who are the TREK leaders?

There are 12 Service TREK Leaders, all of whom participated in TREK when they were first year students.  They are trained leaders who will be with you throughout the week to serve as your guide, facilitator, mentor, and friend.   

How many other TREK participants will there be?

There will be approximately 10 other TREKKIES in each of the Service TREK Programs.  There will be additional 200 students in the other TREK program (Wilderness). 

Because of travel plans, I need to come early.  Can I stay on campus on Friday night (August 16th)?

Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate students who need to come early for TREK.  While we appreciate the travel efforts you and your family is making to come to Vermont early, under no circumstances are students participating in TREK able to access their rooms before the day TREK begins.  There are many hotels in the area, however, who can accommodate you.  See the list of hotels on the visiting UVM website.  

Why don't you allow smoking?

Even though it is legal for students who are 18, we do not allow students to smoke during TREK.  Statistically, we know that if we send a group of people into the woods and only a few of them smoke, when they come back, more people will be smokers.  We don't want to promote or encourage smoking.   We do want to provide and promote an environment that is free of pressures, expectations, standards, or norms related to smoking.  Finally, as everyone knows, smoking is not healthy and even second-hand smoke can be dangerous or problematic for others.  In the small space in which you'll share with your fellow students, the smoke can easily become noticeable and irritating.  

Will I need money during the week?

Strictly speaking, no, you will not need any money.  The cost of the program covers everything: housing, group supplies, food, snacks, and beverages.  There may be a rare occasion however, when you will have an unforeseen problem or issue that requires you to buy something you weren't planning.  TREK leaders have basic "emergency" supplies like extra anti-itching cream for bug bites and extra feminine hygiene products, but they do not have enough for a week supply for individual students.  If a student needs something along this line, a TREK leader will take them to the store to buy what they need.  

Because I completed the TREK Registration Form (which included a thorough medical history), does that mean I don't have to complete the UVM Center for Health and Welbeing Health History Form?

No.  These are two different offices, two different forms, and two different purposes.  All incoming students are required to complete the other health form, which can be downloaded from www.uvm.edu/~chwb/