CORE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
CORE is a program for first-year students who aspire to leadership roles within Campus Recreation’s Outdoor Program, ORGT. It is a 10-month program that emphasizes developing leadership and team skills through outdoor adventures. In 2025, CORE is celebrating our 14th year.
Applications for CORE 14.0 open August 1, 2025. CORE is only open to first-year undergrad students. Acceptance is based on an essay and interview.
Questions? Email coredinator@gmail.com.
THE PROGRAM
CORE involves weekly meetings through Fall and Spring, and about 1 weekend adventure per month. These trips promote teamwork and problem-solving. Activities include whitewater rafting, biking, caving, kayaking, and backpacking. As a final challenge, ORGT provides resources for CORE participants to propose, plan and implement a multi-day regional expedition under the guidance of experienced ORGT leaders. This min-expedition takes place immediately following the end of the spring semester.
ARE THERE COSTS INVOLVED?
If selected, CORE participants are asked to contribute a one-time commitment fee of $200 towards these experiences:
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20 evening workshops & gatherings |
Sea Kayaking Overnight |
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Whitewater Rafting Trip |
Caving Trip |
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Backpacking Overnight |
One Choice Adventure: Cascading, Climbing or Biking |
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Steep discounts on vendor-provided trainings like WFA and WFR |
Invites to 2 ORGT community dinners |
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An additional adventure trip in the sport of the participant’s choice in Spring |
Custom designed dri-fit tee celebrating CORE 14.0 |
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A 4-day regional adventure experience like backpacking in the Smokies or paddling the Okefenokee Swamp |
Opportunities to apply for ORGT endowment-funded expeditions |
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The Leadership Challenge Course |
Variety of trip leader-in-training opportunities |
WHAT MAKES CORE UNIQUE?
— Participants regularly engage in challenges that encourage them to step outside of their comfort zone.
— Participants collaborate on a variety of self-directed projects and focus on intentionally building a positive team dynamic. CORE is a teambuilding experience that lasts 10 months.
— Participants build relationships with CORE members and other student leaders involved with ORGT. These provide support well-beyond the context of CORE and outdoor experiences.
— Participants discuss and learn from the variety of leadership styles encountered on a range of adventures.
— Participants develop competencies and confidence to lead and inspire others that apply to other areas.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CORE OR APPLY
Interested in learning more about CORE? Join us for one of our in-person info sessions to meet our group and learn more!
— Info Session 1: Tuesday, August 19 5:30-6:15 p.m. (ORGT classroom in CRC building)
— Info Session 2: Thursday, August 21 5:30-6:15 p.m. (ORGT classroom in CRC building)
CORE 14.0 LEADERS
CORE is led by Georgia Tech students with deep ORGT roots. Commonly known as “COREdinators”, this highly committed team is appointed by ORGT leaders and full-time staff. COREdinators work with the CORE class from early September through the end of the academic year.
CORE 14.0 begins meeting in late August 2025.
We are excited to announce the CORE 14.0 Leadership Team, who actively assumed their roles early in July 2025. Welcome Annie Laster, Manu Aggarwal, and Lily Mae Barcik.
Annie Laster
Hi everyone! My name is Annie Laster. I’m a fourth-year industrial engineering student from Atlanta, GA. I’ve been involved with ORGT since my first year at Tech, where I started as a member of CORE 11.0. I’m now a cascading Trip Leader and a dabbler in bikepacking and backpacking. ORGT has truly been a formative experience for me. With ORGT, I’ve been on backcountry expeditions to Alaska, Montana, Spain and Norway. I’ve met my closest friends and learned invaluable mentor and leadership skills. Outside of ORGT, you can find me playing volleyball, reading books, and giving Georgia Tech tours. I’m so excited for my next ORGT adventure–leading and getting to know everyone in CORE 14.0!
Manu Aggarwal
Hello! My name is Manu. I am a fourth-year Electrical Engineering major from Southlake, Texas. I started my ORGT involvement as a member of CORE 11.0. Now, I serve as a Backpacking Instructor. With ORGT, I have backpacked in the Arctic Circle in Sweden, in Montana, and recently in the Yukon. CORE is really special to me as it was my first experience of outdoor adventures. It has been the gateway to my most treasured experiences and memories at Tech. Outside of ORGT, I enjoy reading classical fiction, cooking amazing food, and traveling to exotic places. I am honored to be a part of this program and am excited to have a fantastic year with CORE 14.0!
Lily Mae Barcik
Hiya! My name is Lily Mae. I’m rising 3rd year Environmental Engineering student from Decatur, Georgia. My introduction to ORGT was via CORE 12.0. I am currently a Cascading Instructor. I love exploring new ways to get outside. Through ORGT, I have discovered so many new outdoor experiences–from bikepacking in Norway to canoeing in Alabama to canyoneering in Spain! In my spare time, I love exploring the city on foot, gardening and eating vegetables, reading and talking about books, learning to identify plants, and soaking in the Atlanta sun! I’m super excited to get to know you and to make amazing memories with CORE 14.0!
