ConnTrek Walk For First Responders Heads Out From New London Next Week

What better way to wrap up your school year than starting off on a 100-mile hike?

A group of students from the Regional Multicultural Magnet School in New London and Griswold Elementary School will begin ConnTrek’s “Hikers Helping Heroes” on Tuesday, leaving RMMS at 9 a.m. The walk is a fundraiser for the non-profit On-Site Academy in Westminster, Mass.

ConnTrek has been going on sporadically since 1987, when it was started by Griswold teacher Russ Salvador. After some students wanted to participate in a walk across America, the idea for a walk across Connecticut was born. Tuesday’s event will be the ninth such event.

Participating students will be from grades four through six. They will be accompanied by parents, former ConnTrek participants, and escorts of firefighters and National Guard personnel.

Donations from this year’s event will be made in memory of the victims of the December shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. Christine Cabral, a Groton resident and parent of a fourth-grade RMMS student, said the On-Site Academy was chosen as a recipient because of the work it does with first responders coping with critical incident stress. 

“We identified that this would probably be the best cause because it would not only help Sandy Hook, which was the original catalyst for the walk, but in the time that we’ve been planning this we had the Boston Marathon situation happen and other situations happen on a day to day basis in the lives of first responders,” said Cabral.

The walk covers about 15 to 20 miles per day, stopping at campgrounds along the way. Parents have formed committees to handle logistics such as providing food and activities along the way. Participating students have been raising money, and must contribute at least $100 to participate.

Susan Rogers, of Salem, said local businesses have contributed things such as the campsites, bug spray, and medical supplies.

“Without the donations of all of those different groups it wouldn’t be possible,” said Rogers.

Sophia Rogers, a fifth-grade RMMS student and Susan’s daughter, put together a brochure and raised $750 through family and friends. Jonah Colello, a fourth-grade RMMS student from Groton, raised $450.

“This makes me feel very happy,” said Colello. “I’ve never done anything like this before and I just know that I’m raising money for a good cause.”

Cabral said the event marks the first time her daughter, fourth-grade student Alyson Cabral, has been actively involved in fundraising.

“It’s been the first time she’s been involved in something for the greater good, and I think a lot of other kids are like that too,” she said.

Rogers said the event has also had an educational component as well.

“It really helped with their public speaking skills, their writing skills, their organizational skills,” she said.

Kate Colello, Jonah’s mother, said the ConnTrek experience also helps students to become active in advocating for a cause.

“It’s fun with a really great purpose,” she said.

Donations for this event may be made through the ConnTrek website.

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