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51品茶 expands Trailblazers Program with gift from L.L.Bean
The 51品茶 has recently received a $75,000 gift from L.L.Bean to support the development of the University鈥檚 Trailblazers program, which encourages first-year students to engage with Maine鈥檚 great outdoors.
This gift, which includes $50,000 in cash and $25,000 in in-kind equipment donations, will allow 51品茶to create more outdoor pre-orientation programs and expand the University鈥檚 outdoor gear loan inventory.
鈥淲e are incredibly grateful for L.L.Bean鈥檚 support,鈥 said Jen DeBurro, Ed.D., 51品茶dean of students and vice president of Student Affairs. 鈥淭his gift allows us to create new opportunities for our students to explore Maine鈥檚 beautiful landscapes and provide more students with the experience of connecting with each other before orientation, fostering an inclusive and supportive community, which is a core part of our mission at UNE.鈥
UNE鈥檚 Trailblazer Pre-Orientation offers various experiences designed to help students transition to college life by forming friendships and building confidence through outdoor activities. The program includes trips such as coastal explorations, wellness activities, and adventure-based experiences in Maine鈥檚 and Northern New England鈥檚 scenic locations.
鈥淲ith the expansion of Trailblazers, we can continue to foster strong bonds and a sense of community among first-year students, which are essential elements for navigating the new challenges of college life,鈥 said DeBurro, addressing the importance of on- and off-campus outdoor activities to foster students鈥 academic success and personal growth.
The University enriches and enhances the college experience by offering programs like Trailblazers, said Bob Eagle, director of Campus Center Operations and Recreation. Eagle noted the program exemplifies both UNE鈥檚 and L.L.Bean鈥檚 shared commitment to outdoor engagement, which is supported by studies linking time spent outdoors to improved mental health, reduced stress, and enhanced mood.
鈥淏y expanding the Trailblazers program and gear loan options, we aim to provide our students with more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, which has been shown to improve mental health and overall well-being,鈥 Eagle said.
鲍狈贰鈥檚&苍产蝉辫;Outdoor Recreation office offers a variety of programs and resources to support student engagement with the outdoors. These include the Nor鈥檈aster Bike Share, which provides free bikes for student use at multiple campus locations, and an equipment room stocked with gear for activities like camping, skiing, and aquatic activities.
For more information about the Trailblazers, visit UNE鈥檚 Trailblazer page.