First Year Student, Katie Bardsley, Participates in the University of Vermont TREK Program

2017 Sep 8

On Saturday August 19th, 2017 Katie Bardsley (Manasquan, NJ) 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.

Katie Bardsley participated in Hiking 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, Hiking TREK provides incoming students an opportunity to visit and explore some of highest, most remote and oldest footpaths in the country - all along the long trail and in the Adirondacks. Hiking on average eight miles per day, traversed through hardwood, trickling streams and learned of the North Country's rich, natural history along the way.

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.