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
Trailhead takes place over the summer, typically in July. Dates for the upcoming summer will be posted in January at the latest, with registration opening in April.
For an idea of what to expect during the Trailhead Experience, view our 2024 schedule.
Register for Trailhead
The interest form for Trailhead will be available at the beginning of April. The form will be linked on this page. 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).
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
