Trekkers Big Trek/Little Trek fall program wrap-up

Thomaston, Maine - Trekkers Big Trek/Little Trek mentoring program will wrap up its fall session on Monday December 17th. The afterschool program is now in its eighth year, and runs seven weeks in the fall and seven weeks in the spring at Lura Libby School in Thomaston and St. George School in St. George.

This fall, twelve high school students completed a total of 100 volunteer hours. There were seven Big Trek/Little Trek matches at Lura Libby School and five matches at St. George School, together servicing 12 third and fourth grade students. Eight mentors were returning Big Treks, and one Big Trek/Little Trek match returned from the spring.

The Big Trek/Little Trek mentoring program provides a space for high school students and elementary school students to connect outside of their regular school environment and build friendships through participation in group activities--such as board games, basketball, kick-ball, arts and crafts--and one-on-one mentorship time for one hour each week over the course of seven weeks.

“I am so impressed by how quickly these high school mentors built a fun and safe space with their Little
Treks in one semester. It was obvious week after week that the elementary school students really looked forward to spending time with their Big Treks, which was the most positive feedback to receive,” said Trekkers Program Coordinator, Alaina Ennamorati.

Trekkers is seeking high school volunteer mentors for the spring session. Applications are due January 11th. Trekkers will provide mentor training in mid-January and the first Big Trek/Little Trek afterschool sessions will begin the last week of January. Any Oceanside High School student may apply. If you are interested in becoming a Big Trek, contact Program Coordinator Alaina Ennamorati at alaina@trekkersonline.com, or by calling 594-5095. If your child attends Lura Libby School or St. George School and you are interested in applying for a Little Trek space in the spring, please contact your school guidance counselor.

Trekkers is a non-profit outdoor-based mentoring program that connects young people with caring adults through expeditionary learning, community service and adventure-based education. Trekkers brings students and adult mentors together to build meaningful relationships over a period of six years. Trekkers serves the communities of St. George, Owls Head, Cushing, South Thomaston, Thomaston, and Rockland.