Claire Lennon of Brookfield Participates in Hiking as a Part of the University of Vermont TREK Program

Incoming UVM Student, Claire Lennon, Participates in Hiking as a Part of the University of Vermont TREK Program

On Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, Claire Lennon of Brookfield and more than 270 first-year University of Vermont students, led by 76 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.

Claire Lennon participated in Hiking. 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 the 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.

For 40 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 the transition to life at UVM. This year consisted of thirteen different trips in the areas of community service and 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, Mountain Biking, and Pride Trek for LGBTQA+ students interested in the outdoors).