Trailhead Experience
The Trailhead Experience is a five-day program that prepares incoming first-year and transfer students to become community-engaged leaders during their time at Appalachian State University. Hosted by the Office of Community-Engaged Leadership, Trailhead helps students create meaningful connections and build community at App State and beyond!
Each year, our team plans an immersive week of service and leadership experiences for the Trailhead Experience. Led by current students, Trailhead participants will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful, community-driven service opportunities, to reflect on what it means to be a leader, and to make lasting connections with their peers.
The top 5 program takeaways are:
- Good friends and meaningful connections
- Feeling of being part of a community
- Knowledge of campus resources
- Personal confidence
- Increased leadership development
Program outcomes
- Creating Connections – Participants will create meaningful connections with fellow App State students and staff, utilizing relationships to both build community and develop leadership capacity.
- Serving Together – Participants will learn about the community surrounding App State, engage in local service opportunities, and discuss important issues that affect our communities.
- Developing Leadership Capacity – Participants will develop an awareness of their leadership knowledge, skills, and values, increasing their belief that they can be a leader at App State and beyond.
Schedule
The Trailhead Experience will take place July 15 – 19, 2025. The schedule is subject to change based on weather, community partner needs, and other facts. However, you can view our tentative 2025 schedule now!
Note that check-in and check-out will occur on App State’s campus in the Office of Community-Engaged Leadership (Plemmons Student Union 138). Program leaders will shuttle students to and from Camp Broadstone in order to facilitate a smooth arrival and departure process.
Register for Trailhead
The interest form for Trailhead will open Tuesday, April 1st at 9:00am. Once you complete the interest form, our team will follow up with you with a link to submit payment and confirmation of your placement in the program (or on the waitlist). Registration fills up quickly! We recommend being prepared to complete the interest form as soon as possible on the registration date.
The average cost of Trailhead is $200-250. Students who find that the registration fee poses a financial hardship will be able to request a fee waiver through the registration process.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the Trailhead Experience or joining the Trailhead team, please reach out to us at trailhead@appstate.edu.
Recommended by students
We surveyed students about their experience at Trailhead, and here is what what we found.
%
recommend Trailhead to a friend attending App State
%
felt connected to the University community
%
made meaningful connections with other students
%
said Trailhead met or exceeded their expectations
Hear from Trailhead participants
