{"72052":{"#nid":"72052","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech\u0027s Outdoor Rec Program Heads to  Alaska","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThis summer, incoming freshmen at the Georgia Institute of Technology will have an opportunity to start their college careers in Alaska. Outdoor Recreation Georgia Tech (ORGT), a program within Campus Recreation, is partnering with Success Programs and FASET to bring a new element to freshman orientation. A part of the \u0022Tech Treks\u0022 freshman orientation program, this 14-day trip will include backpacking, sea kayaking, commercial fishing, wildlife viewing, and more in Denali National Park as well as Kenai Fjord Tours. Other highlights will include traveling on the Alaskan Railroad, \u0022Denali Star,\u0022 camping at a raspberry farm, and yoga in the backcountry. These adventurous activities are not solely focused on physical challenges, but mental and social development as well.\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe twelve students selected for this inaugural program will begin their journey by reading \u0022Into the Wild\u0022 by John Krakauer. Once on the trip, students and leaders will learn about the local geography, environment and culture. The group will study and practice the use of GPS devices, map and compass skills; \u0022Leave No Trace\u0022 principles; and expedition behavior. Led by four guides, each with more than 10 years\u0027 experience in outdoor recreation and education, students will build self-confidence, self-motivation, and critical thinking, social, and judgment skills. This opportunity is also an excellent way for students to build lasting relationships.\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAccording to Leigh Jackson-Magennis, trip leader, \u0022I think this orientation experience will challenge, motivate and help to build transferable skills and friendships for the students who choose to join us. I lived in Alaska for nine years and led a similar trip for students at Western Carolina University. I can tell you that the impressions and lessons learned on this adventure will last a lifetime. I am looking forward to seeing the smiles and awe on the faces of all the incoming freshmen as they learn more about Alaska, themselves and their fellow adventurers.\u0022\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThis backpacking expedition to South Central Alaska will take place July 28-August 10 and costs $1,800 plus airfare. Incoming freshmen who have been accepted to Georgia Tech can apply online at \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.crc.gatech.edu\/orgt\/freshmenorientation.php\u0022 title=\u0022www.crc.gatech.edu\/orgt\/freshmenorientation.php\u0022\u003Ewww.crc.gatech.edu\/orgt\/freshmenorientation.php\u003C\/a\u003E. Students must write an essay based on their desire for outdoor adventure in Alaska, willingness to participate in the planned activities and ability to adapt to the challenges of a small group setting. The first twelve qualified participants will be selected on a first come, first served basis. For information on payment plans, please contact the trip leader at \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:leigh.jackson@crc.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Eleigh.jackson@crc.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"This summer, incoming freshmen at Georgia Tech will have an opportunity to start their college careers in Alaska. Part of the \u0022Tech Treks\u0022 freshman orientation program, this 14-day trip focuses on physical challenges as well as mental and social development.","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Students brave the wild frontier"}],"uid":"27310","created_gmt":"2007-06-07 00:00:00","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:00:50","author":"David Terraso","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2007-06-07T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2007-06-07T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"72053":{"id":"72053","type":"image","title":"Alaskan Campsite","body":null,"created":"1449177434","gmt_created":"2015-12-03 21:17:14","changed":"1475894649","gmt_changed":"2016-10-08 02:44:09"}},"media_ids":["72053"],"related_links":[{"url":"http:\/\/www.crc.gatech.edu\/orgt\/freshmenorientation.php","title":"Tech Treks"}],"groups":[{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"134","name":"Student and Faculty"}],"keywords":[{"id":"445","name":"Alaska"},{"id":"719","name":"CRC"},{"id":"2362","name":"faset"},{"id":"446","name":"ORGT"},{"id":"2361","name":"orientation"},{"id":"2360","name":"recreation"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cstrong\u003ELiz Imperiale\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECampus Recreation Center\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/contact\/index.html?id=ec132\u0022\u003EContact Liz Imperiale\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E404-385-7268\u003C\/strong\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["liz.imperiale@crc.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}