The Toronto Bruce Trail Club is very fortunate to have 18 active hike leaders that have been remarkably leading hikes for 10 years or longer. Over the history of the club there have been many more hike leaders that had been leading hikes for more than 10 years. During the April hike leaders meeting, and for the first time, the long term service of those 18 hike leaders was recognized. This will be an annual presentation going forward. See this list of these dedicated hike leaders
This list includes a great variety of hike leaders. From Smadar with her endless rotation of End-2-End Car Hikes, to Danny known for his morning Toronto Urban Walks, to Martina who leads bus hikes, organizes coach trips and weekend, and is our Winter Coach Program Coordinator, to Jeanette Vincent known for her weekend car hike trips, to our longest standing hike leader Miriam Stevens who has been leading Toronto Island evening walks and Theatre Hikes all types of hikes are represented. We owe them a great deal of gratitude not only for their persistence of leading and organizing hikes but also for sharing their experience with and mentoring the newer generation of hike leaders that have joined us in the last few years to support the hiking program.
Said Tom Swales: “It gives me great pleasure to have the chance to give our dedicated hike leaders some well-deserved recognition for what they do and their commitment to work of the Bruce Trail Conservancy and to the people who make their hikes an integral part of their life. If you’re interested in joining the TBTC hike leader team, please see the April E-Notes for information on the upcoming hike leader training course in June.”
A team of dedicated hike leaders is the backbone of any BTC club’s hiking program. They help people get to the Bruce Trail (and other hiking trails throughout Southern Ontario) so they can explore and appreciate the beautiful natural areas that we have. Through organized hikes members and guests can enjoy hiking trails that they wouldn’t have otherwise hiked or complete sections of the Bruce Trail End-2-End with the hike leader’s guidance and support. The hike leaders also help bring communities of like-minded people together making hiking not just a physical activity but an integral part of people’s lifestyle and a path for making social connections.
Bruce Trail Conservancy CEO Michael McDonald addressed the TBTC Hike Leaders: “Not only do you guide hikers safely, you also inspire them to care about these precious natural spaces that we are working hard to protect.” Every TBTC hike leader is required to complete the Certified Hike Leader Training course, an apprenticeship period where they practice under the guidance of experienced hike leaders, and complete standard first aid training (renewable every three years). In return for providing training the club asks hike leaders to lead a minimum number of hikes per year. There are quarterly hike leader’s meetings to discuss current issues and upcoming events. Hike leading involves planning, pre-hiking, administration work, being prepared for unexpected circumstances, decision making, and group management. Bus Hikes and Coach Trips require additional planning and preparation. Hike Leaders give generously of their time to be able to host the hikes, coach trips, and weekend trips that our members enjoy. All they ask is to join us in the BTC’s mission of “preserving a ribbon of wilderness, for everyone, forever,” says Tom.
Story courtesy, Tom Swales, Hiking Director