First Year Student, Jak Hallagan, Participates in the University of Vermont TREK Program

2017 Sep 8

On Saturday August 19th, 2017 Jak Hallagan (Needham Hgts, MA) and over 250 first-year University of Vermont students, led by 80 upper class leaders, began their UVM experience as part of TREK, a unique, seven-day first year enrichment program sponsored by the University's Department of Student Life.

Jak Hallagan participated in Canoeing TREK. 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.

About UVM TREK

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 northeast 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 twelve 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).

About Student Life

The University of Vermont Department of Student Life provides students with extracurricular experiential learning, involvement, and leadership opportunities. With a variety of program areas spanning Outdoor Programs, Student Media, Leadership & Civic Engagement, Fraternity & Sorority Life, and Campus Programs - Student Life aims to connect students with communities and experiences that will suppliment their academic career.

About UVM

Since 1791, the University of Vermont has worked to move humankind forward. Committed to both research and teaching, UVM professors -- world-class researchers, scholars, and artists -- bring their discoveries into the classroom and their students into the field. Located in Burlington, Vermont, one of the nation's most vibrant small cities and top college towns, UVM is a Public Ivy and top 100 national research university educating 10,267 undergraduate students, 1,462 graduate students, 915 certificate and non-degree students, and 461 M.D. students in the Larner College of Medicine.

Visit uvm.edu.