For the past 33 years, groups of new UVM students have headed out into mountains to begin their UVM educations, all a part of the innovative TREK program. The tradition continues on Saturday, Aug. 17, when more than 270 first-year UVM students and 75 upper class leaders set out on TREK, a first-year enrichment program sponsored by the Department of Student Life. TREK sends new students across Vermont to explore the wilderness, develop leadership skills and work on community service projects. It is one of the biggest and most diverse new-student, collegiate, community building programs in the region.

The TREK programs offer first-year students diverse experiences and self-directed opportunities to learn about themselves, future classmates and student life at UVM. Working in small, cooperative groups with two upper class leaders, TREK gives students with similar co-curricular interest, an opportunity to develop teamwork skills, meet new friends, build community and make transition to life at UVM. This year TREK features trips in the areas of community service, leadership development and wilderness exploration (hiking, biking, canoeing, climbing, sea kayaking and whitewater kayaking).

For more information on the TREK program, visit www.uvm.edu/~slife or call the Department of Student Life, (802) 656-2060, and ask to speak with one of the TREK directors: John Abbott (Wilderness) or Laura Megivern (Service TREK).