BURLINGTON, Vt. — On Saturday Aug. 19, Suzie Tanski of Saco, along with over 250 first-year University of Vermont students, were led by 80 upper class peers as they began their UVM experience as part of the UVM TREK program, a unique, seven-day first year enrichment program sponsored by the University’s Department of Student Life.

Tanski participated in Canoeing TREK. Its a part of the Wilderness TREK program which provides students the opportunity to build lasting friendships, initiate self-discovery, and explore the people and landscapes that are Vermont.

Canoeing TREK provides incoming students an opportunity to paddle and explore the expansive wilderness of the Adirondack National Park – the largest East of the Mississippi! These trekkies carried boats and gear across lakes and river bends throughout Vermont and its surrounding states as they experienced the wonders of the region.

For 38 years, UVM’s TREK program has sent new students all over the state of Vermont to explore the region’s wilderness, develop leadership skills, and work on community service projects. TREK is one of the biggest and most diverse new-student, collegiate, community building programs in the north east region.

The UVM TREK program offers first-year students diverse experiences and self-directed opportunities to learn about themselves, future classmates and student life at the University of Vermont.

Working in small, cooperative groups with 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 consisted of 12 different trips in the areas of community service, leadership development (Animal Rescue, Better Burlington, Catamount Trail, Farm & Food, Habitat for Humanity, and State Park) and wilderness exploration (Hiking, Canoeing, Rock Climbing, Sea Kayaking, Whitewater Kayaking, and ALANA Trek for students of color interested in the outdoors).

For more information about the TREK program visit: uvm.edu/trek or contact TREK directors: John Abbott (Wilderness) jdabbott@uvm.edu or Laura Megivern (Service TREK) lmegivern@uvm.edu in the Department of Student Life at 802-656-2060.