Minimum Requirements

Who Should Apply?

Any Grade 9 student who lives within the Vancouver School District. 

Note: Students from other districts are welcome to apply, but students who have applied from within the Vancouver School District will be given priority. 

Note: International Students must not apply as this is a district choice program.

  • Any student looking for adventure and challenge in their Grade 10 year. 

  • Any student who is interested in meeting new people and expanding their social groups. 

  • Applicants must be interested in pursuing the goals of the program. 

  • Applicants must be committed to consistently trying their best in the academic, physical and social aspects of the program.

Students Should Not Apply If… 

  • Students should not apply only because their parents have asked them to; students should certainly apply if their parents have asked them to and they also want to apply. 

  • Students should not apply only because their friends are applying; students should apply if their friends are applying and they want to apply as an individual. 

  • Students should not apply if they think it will be “a year off” – TREK students are required to accomplish more in a year than regular Grade 10 students. 

Academics

  • Applicants must pass all Grade 8 and 9 subjects (English, Social Studies, Math, Science, P.H.E., a second language (or skills), and electives, and maintain a predominately ‘Proficient’ average across their courses in their grade 8/9 years. This requirement is in place because TREK involves an intensified academic curriculum, in order to make time for outdoor adventures. This is measured though the submission of the final grade 8 and semester 1 grade 9 report card.

Physical Fitness

  • Applicants must meet the Grade 9 standard of ‘Proficient’ for physical fitness. This requirement is in place because physical exertion is part of all TREK trips, and a lack of physical fitness can place an individual or an entire group at risk. This will be confirmed through a run held at PW in which the applicants will have to run 2.4 in less than 14 minutes.

  • There will also be a confidential form sent to PHE teachers (or sports coaches).The form asks if the students are willing and capable of participating in an outdoor program (they do not have to be the best athletes!).

Respect and Responsibility

  • Applicants must be committed to creating a social environment that supports respect and responsibility. This requirement is in place because a lack of respect or responsibility can create safety concerns during TREK trips (students must be able to listen and respond to all reasonable instructions). As a measure of respect and responsibility, students must receive positive comments on two confidential reference forms (one from a secondary school teacher, and one from an adult member of the community). The students will also demonstrate this through a leadership assignment which highlights their contribution to community.