Trek Epic Gap Year Adventures

Trek Epic

Why choose Trek Epic?

Trek Epic offers a transformational opportunity to emerging young adults seeking to expand their understanding of their unique gifts and how they might offer them to the world. Trek Epic has designed 10 day international walking treks and a Gap Year option as experiences for guided personal reflection and small group work. Throughout their time on trek, they develop a personal statement of their "Core Gifts" and explore how they can purposefully apply these passions, interests and talents to their future. Trekkers come out of their trek experience with specific ideas for next steps in their lives and an increased sense of confidence and purpose. Through the Trek Epic Gap Year, participants are able to fully implement what they learn through their 3-week "launch" trek by being mentored through self selected placements leading up to their "capstone" trek to complete the program where they have the opportunity to reunite with their cohort and share all they have learned along "the way".

Reviews

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Bernice
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Trek - Camino de Santiago

This travel opportunity was phenomenal!!! It’s one to always remember and talk about with others! The day to day logistics were fully taken care of by the Trek Epic team which made the experience so much sweeter. We were able to maximize our entire trip through exploration of the towns we stayed at as we tried various foods/restaurants, gained exposure of cultures, and learned European history all while embarking a self-discovery journey full of nature and joy. I met amazing human beings who brought so much diversity, laughter and adventure to the group dynamic.

Pros
  • Gained trail sisters
  • Self-discovery intention/purpose
  • Delicious local food & nonstop adventure
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Jocelyn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Trek Epic Fisherman’s Trail Portugal

It was an epic trip!! Myself and others who went on the trip have stayed in touch and agree that it was an incredible journey that allowed us to learn more about ourselves, core gifts and each other. I deepened my understanding of travelling, pushing myself, and allowing myself to feel and still be valued as an important part of the trek. What I learned will never be forgotten. It is a personal journey, and making the decision to go is just as important as going! You will dive deeper into yourself, what’s important to you, what you can let go of, how to heal, work through decisions and traumas. I felt accepted, welcomed, thought of and important to the groups success and I felt everyone had an important part to play, and everyone was where they needed to be. Everyone has their own way of accomplishing a pilgrim and we all made it and pushed ourselves!

Pros
  • Personal development
  • Professional development
  • Travel experience
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Jack
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Trek Epic - Pembrokeshire

I was fortunate enough to attend the trek epic trip to wales/Pembrokeshire for 10 days. I saw various parts of the UK particularly on the ocean countryside that was breathtaking and beautiful. I also met very nice young adults from all over the world that took part on the trek aside me. I also got a sense of what my core gifts are through daily reflection. overall I rate the experience a 10/10. although I enjoyed getting to know the other people who participated on the trek, most of them lived far away from where I am from.

Pros
  • better sense of self
  • scenery
  • relationships
Cons
  • limited time of travel
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Rachel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A sunny adventure that came at the right time

Andrew and Marielle were the guides on my trek and they were fun, confident, and provided the structure we needed to make the trip successful. Andrew answered my questions as to ease my worry before I got on my flight. I found it comforting to be surrounded by warm and unique individuals, especially our B&B hosts.

Of course I wish the trek had lasted longer: lots of beautiful scenery, deep conversations, and appreciation for life that followed me back home. This trek came when I needed it most.

Pros
  • Lots of support before and after the trek: recommended items to pack, questions answered, daily gratitudes, follow-up, etc.
  • Where we're eating and sleeping daily is arranged as to ease any worry about organization
  • I was emotional the first day because I was scared but also grateful for the experience. Everyone on our trek was kind and eased my fear.
Cons
  • I wish it would have lasted longer!
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Jake
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

TrekEpic

Excellent staff and social group with a wide variety of ages and backgrounds everyone seemed up for the trek and up for its learning process. The trek itself was very beautiful and every place we stopped for the night had different and new things to experience. Are bigger luggage was carried to our next location so we only had to bring a backpack with essentials on the walks witch helped us focus more on the nature and ourselves then worrying about our back pain! Honestly no complaints great experience a good start to a long an unexpected journey I’m still on!

Pros
  • Learning more about yourself
  • Seeing new places
  • Meeting new people

Programs

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Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Josie Bryan

Job Title
Guide
Josie Bryan is a writer, creative, and guide for Trek Epic who feels strongly that every individual has a purpose. As a Core Gift Master Facilitator, Josie has completed and conducted the Core Gift Interview process both on and off the walking path. Her core gift is to help others feel seen authentically by leaning into vulnerability, trusting gut instincts, being confident in changing directions, and curating visually appealing outcomes.
Josie B. with sunglasses

What is your favorite travel memory?

Since I was fourteen I have traveled to many U.S. States and Europe, but my favorite travel memory is from the summer after my high school graduation when I visited Greece. Being able to explore the different islands and take in the beautiful landscape and Greek culture was an experience I will never forget. There is nothing like reading a book by the Mediterranean Sea or walking around the Parthenon taking in ancient Greek history.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Working for Trek Epic and being a former participant on the company's walking adventures has not only given me the opportunity to experience the cities and countrysides of various European cities but a community of people who I would not have otherwise never met. The people I have met working for Trek Epic allowed me to gain more empathy for others and their unique life stories. Discovering my own purpose and helping others do the same propelled me to start my own company, EVOLVING Guide Co., where I guide individuals through the Core Gift Discovery process and establish intentional goals.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

The best story I've heard from a Trek Epic student was from a young woman who participated on a walking adventure in Wales prior to embarking on a gap year in Australia and New Zealand. During her trek, another student was enduring the pain of blisters from her shoes that had not been broken in, and this young woman lent her hiking shoes and proceeded to wear her Chaco sandals for the remainder of the trek. This act of generosity made me smile and reminded me of the beauty of the growth one experiences along the path.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

One of the coolest aspects of Trek Epic is that the walking adventures the company offers take place in different locations across Europe. The trek along the Pembrokeshire Coast trail is one of my favorites. Wales is a down-to-earth country that not only makes you feel right at home with its kind locals and eclectic charm, but the natural terrain along the coast is serene and breathtaking.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Trek Epic was born from the idea that everyone deserves the chance to go on an epic adventure and discover more about themselves regardless of where they are in their life or their means to do so. This is what makes Trek Epic unique; the opportunity it provides to students from all different backgrounds going through various life transitions. Trek Epic provides an experience to slow down, reflect, and figure out all while becoming a part of a community that lasts a lifetime.

On a trek in Italy, I was especially proud of my team when we made it through a blazing hot day in Tuscany. The mileage for the day ended up being longer than we had planned for and the weather was exceedingly hot for April. I am proud of how well we were all able to keep in good spirits despite our knees becoming weak and eventually running out of water with two miles left to our destination for the night.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

There are many ways to measure success, but I personally find measuring success based on the amount of joy something creates or brings you is the most satisfying. Thus, I believe a company can be deemed successful when they are able to bring joy to the work they are doing. The people behind Trek Epic not only bring their shared knowledge and skillsets, but they are passionate about helping others along their way of self-discovery.

Professional Associations

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