slide shows presented by outdoor adventurers and explorers. While these two fundraisers bring in substantial revenue, by far the most important event is the Christmas Tree Lot. For three weeks in December, TREK students and their teach- ers and parents become professional tree salespeople. Over 2,000 trees from British Columbia and Washington are sold during this time. Students are required to staff the lot in three-hour shifts, and parents form committees responsible for accounting, tree delivery, sign posting and various other chores. Over the years, TREK teachers have had to learn how to run a small business, as the Christmas Tree Lot nets roughly $50,000 annually. This year, the program purchased carbon credits to offset emissions from vehicles transporting trees from the farms to the tree lot and making local deliveries. All of these fundraisers take time, energy and a great


deal of effort to implement. Teachers and students work many hours and have many long nights to ensure the sur- vival and continuity of the program. However, because the sense of community is so strong, most students recognize that previous Trekkies raised funds for them, just as they are fundraising so that future students can have the same amaz- ing experiences they have had.


Bursaries


The TREK program is open to all students in the Vancouver School Board and, as such, appeals to students in many dif- ferent socio-economic classes. Some parents are not able to pay the $550 tuition fee, and it is an example of the commu- nity that exists within TREK that no student has ever been turned away for financial reasons. In honour of a student who was in TREK in 1995 and later died of cancer, his and other parents created the Jonathan Hungerford Foundation and have raised over $40,000 through donations. The interest the fund earns has covered any students needing bursaries over the years and should continue to do so in the future.


The challenges of TREK


Due to the depth and breadth of the program, there are logistical challenges to be resolved on an almost daily basis and significant demands placed on the four TREK teachers. In addition to teaching their own subject, they must be pre- pared to teach English, Planning, Social Studies or Physical Education. They are away from home for up to one week each month. They are all certified school bus drivers and have the added responsibility of driving the students to and


from field trip and backcountry destinations. In addition to teaching, the TREK teachers perform their own administra- tive duties. In the field, the safety of the students ultimately depends on their decision making. They must organize and run large-scale fundraisers and commit hundreds of hours per year outside the school day. However, the rewards must continue to outweigh the costs, because TREK teachers remain in the position for an average of seven to eight years.


The legacy of TREK


Perhaps one of the best indicators of the program’s success is the TREK classroom itself. One wall is covered with photographs of TREK students through the years. The other walls have been colourfully painted by former TREK stu- dents. During the lunch hour, there is a constant buzz as past and present TREK students gather and converse. Perhaps a climbing video is playing, or perhaps music composed by a student. Students hover near the TREK office, eager to converse with the teachers, with whom they are on a first- name basis and have formed real and personal relationships. Of the hundreds of applicants every year, a significant number of them are siblings of TREK alumni, and sons and daughters of teachers and administrators at Prince of Wales and other schools. Around the city, many other outdoor programs and professionals contact TREK to ask for their expertise. TREK is not the only solution for the increasing num-


ber of students and parents looking for an alternative to the traditional classroom. It will appeal to some, but not to all. However, for those who participate in the TREK program, it is a rich source of learning, adventure and relationships. It provides students with a different perspective on what education can be, what community can mean, and what a healthy and sustainable lifestyle can look like.


Antony Blaikie lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, and works as a wilderness instructor and sustainability educa- tor. He is currently enrolled at Simon Fraser University in the teacher certification program and hopes to work within the public school system to incorporate social change and sustainability into the secondary school level.


For further information about the TREK Outdoor Educa- tion Program, contact: TREK Program, Prince of Wales Secondary School, 2250 Eddington Drive, Vancouver, BC V6L 2E7, (604) 713-8974, ext. TREK office, or visit <http: //pw.vsb.bc.ca/programs/TREK.htm>.


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