For almost 1,000 new Dartmouth students, DOC Trips are their first real introduction to the College on the Hill. This year's Freshemen Trips Director Emily Lesher '02 has the awesome responsibility of making sure that the first experience is a good one.
Chosen by a panel comprised of two Assistant Directors of Outdoor Programs, a former Trips director and a former Croo leader, Lesher was selected from a group of former trip leaders and Croo members.
Assistant Director of Outdoor Programs Brian Kunz said that Lesher's obvious dedication to the DOC, knowledge of area trails, D-Plan and philosophy that Trips should welcome all students, not just potential DOC members, made her an easy choice for director.
Anyone who has been involved in Trips knows that being Director is a big job.
"Organizing 1,000 new students and their trip leaders for multi-day trips can be a logistical nightmare," Kunz said.
Lesher agreed that her task was "a little intimidating," but said she is excited about it. She added, "people get so into Trips that all the hard work is worth it."
Her peers are confident she is up to the job. Rory Gawler '05 said that Lesher is "very committed ... she's the kind of person who puts everything into what she's doing."
She isn't going it alone, however. The Outdoor Programs Office will assist her efforts, and she has received some invaluable advice from her friend and last year's Trips director, Justin Barnard '02.
Growing up in Upper Saddle River, N.J. just outside of New York City, Lecher didn't have much exposure to the great outdoors. She and her family went for day hikes in nearby Harriman State Park but her first multi-day hike wasn't until her DOC Trip.
But upon her arrival at Dartmouth, she quickly became active in Cabin and Trail, and also led a strenuous hiking trip her sophomore fall.
Since then, Lesher has been on Lodge Croo and has also worked at the Moosilauke Lodge during the summer.
She is the captain of the women's ultimate frisbee team, and a member of Aquinas House. She's currently writing an earth science thesis.
Having taken an extra term off, Lesher won't be finished with her collegiate education until after Fall term.
She plans to go to graduate school, or maybe be a "ski bum" somewhere in the Rockies.
As for new additions to this year's trips, Lesher said she would like to see a new "psycho hiking" trip that involves the 54-mile hike from Hanover to Mt. Moosilauke as well as a naturalist trip in the College Grant, such as tracking or bird watching. Neither trip has been confirmed at this point.
