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Do I need previous camping/outdoor experience?
No. The program staff will teach you the fundamentals of wilderness camping and travel. You must have an interest in trying or pursuing outdoor activities.
Do I need to know how to swim?
No, but you must be able to remain calm while floating in water over your head (wearing a PFD/lifejacket).
What is the size of trip groups?
14 students accompanied by 2 or 3 staff members (at least one female and one male). The number of staff members depends on the type of trip.
How do the trip meals work?
Menu planning, food purchasing and meal preparation is done in small groups (2 or 3 students) with the guidance of program staff.
How physically fit do I need to be?
The TREK Program is a physically demanding experience but, anyone who enjoys moderate exercise will find the activities well within their physical ability.
Can I choose my on-TREK and off-TREK terms?
No. But, successful applicants will be asked to state their preferred term placement. This preference is not guaranteed – due to scheduling constraints, some students will be placed in a term that is not their preferred choice.
Is it better to complete the intensified academic term first, or the wilderness trips term first?
It really doesn’t matter – a case can be made for the advantages of either sequence.
I currently have a skills block in place of a language course. Can I still apply to TREK and will I be able to enroll in a skills block while in TREK?
Yes you can apply, but in general we are unable to offer students a skills block. Our first priority is to look after the educational needs of each student and for this reason each case will be looked at on an individual basis.
What if I’ve already completed a Grade 10 subject?
All students in Grade 10 are required to be enrolled in a full load of courses (a Ministry of Education requirement). Students who have previously-completed courses must top-up their course load with a correspondence course. TREK students cannot take “regular” courses at Prince of Wales Secondary because the TREK timetable differs from the P.W. timetable.
Are former TREK students at an academic disadvantage in Grade 11 or 12?
No. Although we do not formally track students, informal evidence (principals lists, scholarships, university entrances) strongly suggests that TREK students do as well, or better than, their peers in Grades 11 & 12 (who did not complete the TREK Program). If anything, the program exposes TREK students to skills (self-discipline, self-confidence, independence, critical thinking) that serve them well in the intensity of Grade 11 & 12 academics.
Do TREK students write Grade 10 Final Exams?
Yes. The Mathematics 10 and Science 10 exams are written at the end of your off-TREK term.
All TREK students write the English 10 exam in June.
I’m a French Immersion student interested in applying to TREK. How will I fulfill the 24 FI credits required to graduate with a bilingual dogwood?
French Immersion students should speak with their current school counsellor for new developments and review the current information about TREK provided by the VSB French immersion program online at:
kitsilano.vsb.bc.ca/trek/kits-frim-trek-info.pdf
French Immersion students who do the Grade 10 TREK Program miss out on four full year FI courses in French (including French Immersion Language Arts). FI Grade 11 has only two full year courses in French. FI Grade 12 has only one full year course in French. Each of these courses has French conversational elements. French Immersion - TREK students are welcomed back into the French immersion program in Grade 11. French immersion courses will continue to appear on their transcript and this information will be available to univeristies and employers. Due to missing the Grade 10 French immersion course work they will not graduate with the bilingual dogwood diploma. They do have the option of completing alternative work to qualify for the dogwood diploma. The required alternative work was revised in January 2009. A description of the requirements is provided by the VSB French immersion program at:
kitsilano.vsb.bc.ca/trek/VSB-dogwood-requirements.pdf
Note: an update to the January 2009 requirements is that a UBC Summer 2010 French course was permitted as an alternative to the Quebec options.
If I’m transferring from another school for the year, can I play on a sports team while I’m at P.W.?
Maybe. B.C. School Sports is the governing body with regard to sport competition in B.C. Schools. Students transferring from other schools for the year must abide by B.C. School Sports Eligibility Policies. These include:
- If you compete in any registered B.C. School Sport for Prince of Wales Secondary School during your TREK year (Grade 10) you must sit out for a year of eligibility (Grade 11) when you return to your home school.
- While at TREK you may continue to compete for your home school (with permission of the school) and not lose your eligibility for your Grade 11 year.
For more detailed information please consult the complete eligibility document at www.bcschoolsports.ca/pages/policy/section_6
Should I call TREK if I don’t get accepted?
No. Due to the large number of applications that we receive, we are only able to accept 112 students. A subsequent draw will be performed if any applications are withdrawn prior to commencement of the program. If this occurs, the successful applicant will be notified immediately.
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