TRAiLS Guides
GW TRAiLS offers a leadership program where students lead their peers on weekend and break trips outdoors. This experiential leadership opportunity provides students with outdoor skills, leadership training, planning, and trip preparation. TRAiLS Guide volunteers devise and plan all the outings, organize the logistics, and provide support to ensure a safe, educational, and fun-filled adventure.
TRAiLS Guide Program Application
The application process for the TRAiLS Guide Program occurs at the beginning of the spring semester for first-year and sophomore undergraduate GW students. No outdoor experience is required, and everyone interested in leading others in the outdoors is encouraged to apply.
The 2024 application is now closed. Below you can find the Applicant Packet from the 2024 recruitment cycle which explains the process. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to [email protected].
2024 Applicant Packet
Training and Qualifications
All TRAiLS Guides are certified in Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and Leave No Trace (LNT) wilderness ethics. TRAiLS Guides receive regular outdoor skill training, social justice, and diversity training, group facilitation training, and other opportunities created by GW students. Our TRAiLS Guides regularly participate in environmental stewardship service opportunities and other ways to engage the GW campus in outdoor adventure.
Meet the Guides
Leadership
Liz H.
President
Senior, Chemistry, Minor in Geology
she/her
Hi y'all, I'm Liz! I moved around a bunch, but I've lived in Colorado. I would tag along with friends to go on hikes around my hometown which made me fall in love with the outdoors. If you see me around campus, I always have a fun lil bev in hand and would love to chat and swap silly stories. I love crystals (I study geology sue me), journaling, and trying new recipes, whether for a baked good or a meal. I'm so excited to see y'all out on trail or a GBM or anywhere else in between!
Owen A.
Vice President
Senior, Political Communication, Minor in Public Policy
he/him
Hi everyone! When I'm not hiking near my hometown of Seattle, WA, I'm busy running, keeping up with politics, watching soccer, or cuddling with my dog. Feel free to stop me on the street to say hi!
Thomas B.
Training & Recruitment Coordinator/Academic Year Coordinator
Sophomore, International Affairs & Political Science, Minor in Peace Studies
he/him
Hey folks! My name is Thomas and I come from right outside of the Boston area. Growing up in Massachusetts, which I love to talk about, I spent my summers hiking, camping, and kayaking in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. When I'm not getting lost in the woods or engaging in some adrenaline-rushing activity, I enjoy travelling, watching Boston sports, and following the political world. I can't wait to see all of you on the trail and around campus!
Jenna B.
Training & Recruitment Coordinator
Sophomore, French & Communications, Minor in Arabic
she/her
Hello hello! My name is Jenna and I’m from Bend, Oregon. Some of my favorite activities include being outdoors, telling people I’m from Oregon, going to concerts, making coffee, and playing soccer. Something I am excited for this year is exploring more of DC and Shenandoah National Park! I can’t wait to meet you all. I’ll see you outside!
Kalea W.
Community Engagement Facilitator
Sophomore, International Affairs, Minor in GIS
he/him
Hey guys! I’m Kalea, an avid hiker and aspiring philosopher from the great commonwealth of Virginia! I love playing soccer, listening to music and exploring DC! Most weekends you can either find me in the woods searching for Bigfoot or enjoying the national mall. Can’t wait to see you all on Trail!
Kate R.
Events & Services
Sophomore, Biology, Minor in Psychological and Brain Sciences
she/her
Hey guys! My name is Kate, and I am from the beautiful Chattanooga, Tennessee. I love all things outdoors, especially anything on the water. My favorite activities are surfing, kayaking, hiking, and running. In D.C., you can find me walking along the Georgetown waterfront spending time by the river. Can't wait to see you on the trail!
George HC.
Gear Manager/Academic Year Coordinator
Sophomore, International Affairs
they/them
Hey y'all! I'm from the San Francisco Bay area and I grew up hanging out among the redwoods. I take every opportunity to escape to the forest to go backpacking, hiking, and rock climbing. I can usually be found hammocking in Kogan or laying in any grass I can find! If you see me, come say hi and I will tell you all about the podcast I'm currently obsessed with. Excited to meet y'all on a trip or at GBM!
Spencer W.
Gear Manager
Sophomore, Political Science, Minor in Spanish & Geography
he/him
Hey all! I am a second year political science student from Colorado. My hobbies includes fly fishing, cooking, and watching baseball. On campus I like to go to the gym, lay in the sun in Kogan, go to the deli, and play catch in U-Yard.
Leila P.
Marketing Manager
Sophomore, Environmental Science & International Business
she/her
Hello! My name is Leila and I'm from Miami, Florida. I became a guide last year and have loved TRAiLS ever since. I really like to explore parts of DC I haven't been to yet, so going on trips is the best! My favorite outdoor activities are anything water-related, like paddle boarding or going swimming somewhere. Too bad we can't swim in the Potomac. I also enjoy painting and spending good time with friends, whether that is lazily watching movies all night or hiking a couple miles together. Hope to see you on a trip!
Guides
Adrianna C.
Sophomore, Environmental and Sustainability Science, Minor in GIS
she/her
Hi Guys! I am a sophomore here at GW studying environmental science. On campus, you can usually find me hanging at the GroW garden or throwing pottery. Whereas, on trail, my favorite pastimes are practicing knot-tying and taking pictures. Since becoming a TRAiLS guide I have been able to go on new adventures and make lasting memories along the way. I am so excited for the upcoming year and can’t wait to see YOU on a trail!
Arlo S.
Junior, Civil Engineering, Minor in Sustainability
they/he
Hello! My name is Arlo and I am from southern New Hampshire and northern California (yay bicoastal). On campus I love biking around, listening to music, hammocking, cooking, and walking dogs. I am also apart of GW club softball and climbing! A fun fact about me is my favorite trees are redwoods because they hold hands to remain vertical... also I dressed up as one in my fourth grade wax museum (general sherman🕺). So excited to meet you all!
Ava T.
Junior, Political Science & Music
she/her
Hi! I am from Dallas, Texas and have loved living in DC for college. I enjoy hanging out with friends, reading, listening to podcasts, and going to the weekend markets in the city. TRAiLS is one of my favorite parts of being at GW, so I hope to see you outside on the trail!!!
Breanna W.
Junior, International Affairs & German
she/her
Hey! My name is Breanna and I’m from Long Island, NY. I’ve been a GW TRAiLS Guide since freshman year, and I love getting to explore the outdoors while meeting new people. In DC you can find me walking around the mall, chatting with friends in Kogan or studying outside by the GW deli. Some of my favorite outdoor activities include hiking, swimming or simply having a picnic with friends! Currently I am studying abroad in Vienna, but I look forward to returning to GW and leading more TRAiLS trips next semester!
Cassidy M.
Junior, Business Analytics & German
she/her
Hey! I'm Cassidy from Richmond, VA. When I'm not in the woods somewhere, you can find me taking long walks around the city (procrastinating work), reading in Kogan (procrastinating work), or trying out new coffee shops (still procrastinating work). Some of my favorite outdoor activities are biking, skiing, and of course, hammocking. Can't wait to see you on trail!
Harper G.
Sophomore, Philosophy & English
he/him
Hey y’all! My name is Harper and I’m a sophomore from Towson, Maryland. If you see me around campus, I would love to talk to you about bikes, books, and grunge music. I have always been an outdoorsy person, but fell in love with backpacking when I went for the first time in high school. When the weather is nice you can find me hammocking in Kogan or reading a book outside trying to convince myself I’m not in a city. My favorite state is West Virginia (ecologically :o) and I would love to convert you too. Can’t wait to see y’all around campus or on trail!
Henry B.
Senior, Exercise Science
he/him
Hey y'all, my name is Henry Ball and I'm a senior studying Exercise Science from Houston, Texas! My favorite outdoor experience was backpacking in the High Sierras for 26 days, but my favorite experience with TRAiLS was in Shenandoah at Cedar Run. Hope to see you out and playing outside!
Isabella R.
Junior, International Affairs, Minor in Chinese Language & Literature
she/her
Hi everyone!! I'm Isabella and I'm from Boston (aka the best city ever). I love to go running, hiking, and love doggy paddling in lakes too! I'm in the Global Bachelor's program, so I'm abroad in Paris right now but not a day goes by where I don't think about GW Trails, and how much I miss exploring with you all! But I can't wait to see everyone on the trail soon to soak in the nature, eat some good snacks, and get to know you all <3
Katie E.
Junior, Accounting, Minor in Hospitality Management
she/her
Hi, y'all! I am originally from armadillo country, Austin, Texas. In my free time, I like to watercolor, garden, and bake, especially bagels. My most recent gardening endeavor has been growing microgreens in cardboard boxes, which I would highly recommend giving a shot if you’re bored as it’s pretty fun to watch all the little sprouts grow. One of my favorite outdoor activities is taking a walk in the rain, especially in the summer because I love to watch all the raindrops hit the trees, plus it’s always fun to splash in a puddle!
Laurel B.
Senior, International Affairs, Minor in French
she/her
Hi all! My name is Laurel, and I’m originally from the great state of Colorado. I love nothing more than being outside hiking, camping, backpacking, skiing, or just relaxing. In my free time, I enjoy making birthday cakes for my friends, napping in hammocks, and reading. I look forward to seeing you all on the trail!
Leddy S.
Sophomore, Public Health, Minor in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
they/them
Hey y’all I’m Leddy! I’m a Public Health major and Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies minor from Charleston, SC. I love being outdoors, whether I’m hiking, backpacking, surfing, or camp counseling. When I’m not guiding a TRAiLS trip, you can find me playing guitar, working an EMT shift, or chasing rats in the street.
Leo K.
Senior, Political Science, Minor in Journalism & Mass Communications
he/him
Howdy folks! I’m Leo and I hail from the middle of the woods in Pennsylvania where my closest neighbors are squirrels. My favorite activities include laying in the grass, playing music, consuming copious amounts of coffee, and zipping around on my trusty razor scooter. Looking forward to getting to know you while having some outdoor adventures!
Liam M.
Junior, Economics & Philosophy
he/him
Hello there! My name's Liam and I'm from the beautiful state of New Jersey. I grew up hiking in the Adirondacks, and my favorite thing to do is listen to music while sitting in cool spots outside. When I'm hanging outside I like to talk about football, backpacking, and movies. See you all on trail!
Lily M.
Junior, Environmental Studies & Public Health
she/her
I’m Lily and I’m from Chicago! Growing up surrounded by concrete and skyscrapers, I had zero experience in the outdoors until I was 18. Some of my favorite things to do outside are backpacking, rafting, and swimming. You can find me speed-walking on campus probably on the way to a workout class while blasting some type of foreign music! I’m excited to see you outside soon!
Maryana S.
Junior, Geography & Economics, Minor in GIS & Data Science
she/her
Hi my name is Maryana! I am from just outside of Philly. You can often find me outside, with my airpods in, munching on a delicious snack or drinking copious amounts of coffee. See you on trail!
Morgan L.
Junior, Accounting & Data Science
she/her
Hi y’all!!! I’m Morgan!!! I love to ski, surf, scuba dive, travel, and meet new people. When I’m not outdoors, I’m reading architectural digest, baking with friends, and playing sudoku.
Paul L.
Junior, Environmental and Sustainability Science, Minor in GIS
he/him
Hi, everyone! My name is Paul and I am from Petaluma, California (an hour north of SF)! Back home, I love mountain climbing in the Sierra Nevadas, backpacking on the coast, and camping in the redwoods. Here, I love driving in the Virginia countryside, exploring the Chesapeake Bay, and climbing Shenandoah peaks like Old Rag. On campus, I work for GW Alternative Breaks and do research in an ecology lab studying sea level rise impacts on salt marshes and coastal farms. Catch me in U-Yard journaling, reading, or lying under the trees during peak Fall colors!
Radha V.
Senior, Biological Sciences & Post-Modern Dance
she/her
Hey y'all! My name is Radha, and I'm a senior from the great state of North Carolina studying Molecular Biology and Dance. My passions include collecting national park stickers, long hikes, and coffee (in no particular order!), and my favorite thing to do in DC is find new places to watch sunsets! I love meeting new people on TRAiLS trips, and I'm so excited to catch y'all out on the trail!
Sophie R.
Senior, International Affairs, Minor in GIS
she/her
Hello hello! I'm Sophie, and I love nothing more than escaping the city and going into the woods. However, I need company, so please join me. I'm from Massachusetts, but grew up in Dubai, and my favorite memories come from backpacking through the woods and the desert. You can usually find me building a map or thinking about bread. Can't wait to see you on trail! Fun fact: I'm theoretically learning how to skateboard and juggle, but I've been saying that for three years, so if you have any pointers please let me know!
Sylvia C.
Junior, Political Science and Religion
she/her
Hi, my name is Sylvia! I am originally from Louisville, Kentucky and yes I pronounced it correctly. My favorite outdoor activities include hiking, rock climbing, and skiing. My idea of a well-balanced diet includes trail mix, sunshine, and plenty of coffee. Let's start exploring!
Zane P.
Senior, International Affairs
he/him
Hey friends! My name is Zane and I am from Albuquerque, New Mexico. I love all outdoor activities, and I occasionally run and lift weights. You might find me walking around in the morning with a sizeable cold brew, or hammocking in Kogan in the afternoon. If you see me, come chat!!!!