reflection and
self-discovery
At Trek Epic we believe that emerging young adults have a deep desire to know “Who am I?” and “What do I have to offer the world around me?”
Older cultures used initiation rituals or “rites of passage” to help young people in defining their life paths and purpose. These rituals have long been replaced by the externally driven demands of college, trade school, and work life. Gone are the reflective traditions of the inner and outer journey—the guided quest.
Drawing on ancient traditions and rites of passage, Trek Epic provides a transformational and adventurous experience for emerging young adults, ages 18-24, and post college age adults, 25-32, who are seeking their own paths to self-discovery and purpose.
Every trek with Trek Epic is designed to inspire a deep sense of connectedness and personal support throughout the inner and outer journey, and to provide every trekker with a clear road map for moving forward in life in a positive way.
route over
hill and dale,
and through
farms, forests,
fields and
villages
Day One
We are typically eight trekkers and two or three guides. We arrive at our starting point and gather together for our first evening dinner, meeting each other and talking about the upcoming trip.
Day Two
We make our way to the first village on our path, often taking the train from the city to the countryside. Throughout the day, we take some time to rest, discuss logistics, and get ready for our trekking adventure to begin.
Typical Trek Day
We wake up early, enjoy a hearty breakfast served at 8AM by our innkeepers, grab a packed lunch, and hit the path for our day's journey at 9AM.
As we trek each day (typically eight to fourteen miles), we stop along the way to explore cultural and historic sites, reflect on themes and topics related to the discovery of our Core Gift, and exchange ideas. Sometimes we just take a break to admire the breathtaking panoramas, chat with a local, or massage tired feet.
When we arrive at our destination B&B, Inn or Hostel each day (usually around 4:00 or 4:30) we can rest and explore, visit with our host, and discuss our evening plan. After a delicious dinner of unique local fare, we are ready to begin our evening session which includes sharing stories, discussion, and journaling.
We close each day by celebrating the progress we made, the miles we walked, and the people we met along the way.
spark, that
essential fire
Trek Epic is dedicated to the belief that every one of us has a Core Gift that defines who we really are and how we can best engage in the world around us.
Our Core Gift reflects our best selves and is natural to us. Each person's Core Gift connects to how they truly want to be acknowledged by others, and fuel them with the power to approach life with purpose and self-confidence.
While on Trek, you will discover your own Core Gift through guided facilitation, dialogue and sharing with other trekkers. You can expect to be with a group of people with similar challenges so you can feel less alone on your personal quest. There is much comfort in knowing that others are asking the same questions.
By the end of your trek you will have developed a Core Gift statement that is uniquely yours—a portrait of your gift and how you offer it to the world around you. You will have had the opportunity to create a future vision for yourself that is doable and that you are eager to work toward.
vision of
Leslie Johnson
and Andrew
Bryan
Trek Epic was founded in 2010 to create a trekking-based adventure for emerging adults that would serve as a vehicle for profound personal reflection and self-discovery.
Using the breathtaking and renowned walking paths of the British Isles as a backdrop, Leslie Johnson and Andrew Bryan envisioned Trek Epic as offering a very special opportunity for adventure abroad linked with an expertly guided, self-discovery process.
In the early years, Dr. Donald Chance, a former college professor and experienced trekking guide, was instrumental in developing the trekking aspect of Trek Epic.
In 2012, Kim Mlinarik, now of Alchemy Adventures, helped guide the program forward as we worked toward providing facilitated themes consistent with the needs of emerging young adults.
In 2013, Bruce Anderson began facilitating with Trek Epic, interweaving the Core Gift Discovery™ process into the unique trekking model that surfaced in the early years of the non-profit.
something
bigger
Over the last twelve years, Trek Epic, as an organization has become a powerful incubator for new ways of guiding emerging young adults in the process of answering the timeless questions of “Who am I?” and “What do I have to offer the world around me?”
Taking the challenge of organizational development one trek at a time, the founders of Trek Epic refine their unique process for combining personal growth and development with an immersive experience in the real world with every passing trek.
Our trekkers become part of an ever-unfolding and organic process where they benefit from those who went before them, and contribute to the experience of those who will come after. Our trekkers shape the future of Trek Epic and thus become a central part of something bigger.
costs except
airline tickets
and
incidentals
At Trek Epic, we believe the trekking experience, both the walking adventure and the Core Gift Discovery™ and how to use them, is vitally important for youth from all economic backgrounds and life situations. We are determined to not let the financial cost of this experience stand in the way of a young person going on a trek with us.
The full cost (excluding airfare and personal spending) is $1,500 to $2,000 per participant. Our goal is to offer eight young adults per trek the chance to participate in each of three annual treks at a minimum cost. If a young person cannot come up with funds for their airline ticket, we suggest ways to fundraise part or all of that cost.
If you or your organization believes in the power of transformative adventure and in this unique journey of inner and outer discovery, we invite you to join our Trek Epic family with a secure and tax-deductible donation today. When you support Trek Epic, you're making an investment in the next generation.