NS Hiking Summit: June 21-22 St. Ann's, CB

Hike Nova Scotia invites individuals and groups with an interest in hiking, walking and snowshoeing to the second annual Nova Scotia Hiking Summit. This event will take place on Friday, June 21 and Saturday, June 22, 2013 at the Gaelic College in St. Ann's on Cape Breton Island. The Summit is a celebration of Nova Scotia's hiking culture, which includes sharing best practices, stories and networking opportunities. It will help us grow a hiking, walking and snowshoeing culture in the province.

View detailed agenda and register here.  This event is co-hosted by Victoria County. Hike Nova Scotia acknowledges and thanks the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness for its ongoing support.

Back to top 

Call for Fall Guided Hikes: Youth & Family Theme Welcome

Beaver Mountain hike in James River on October 28 with Hike Nova Scotia.

August 10, 2013 Deadline

Once again, Hike NS invites groups across NS to partner with i

t on delivering fall guided hikes in September and October of 2013. The purpose of the events is to: 1) get more people in NS hiking; 2) highlight local trails and increase their use; and 3) promote Hike NS, local trail/hiking groups and other partnering organizations. During the 2012 Fall Guided Hike series, 660 people attended 29 hikes organized locally by nine partnering groups.

Youth & Family Theme: This year, we're encouraging hike host organizations to schedule a youth and family hike, one that is suited to families with children and youth. This means offering a hike of a length and difficulty level suited to children and youth and with activities attractive to kids. Hike NS will provide resources for activities to offer on hikes.

If you and your local organization would like to organize a hike, learn more and register your hike(s) online here no later than August 10, 2013.

Back to top  

Youth Hiker Distance Award Challenge

Members of the 1st Kentville Sparks Unit proudly show off their Hiker Distance Award Challenge patches.

Youth can get motivated to hike more by earning the Hiker Distance

Award Challenge Patch!Tally these kilometres within one year:

• Ages 5 to 8: 15 km
• Ages 9 to 14: 30 km
• Ages 15 to adult: 45 km

Use our special Hiker Distance Award Challenge for Youth Logbook to record your hikes. Youth that earn a patch by March 1, 2014 qualify for a prize draw for a $100 MEC gift card. Youth groups, Guides and Scouts, schools and recreation departments can participate as well. Special thanks to the IWK Community Grants for its support and MEC for its donation. Adults can participate too by earning a distance pin. Learn more about earning a patch for youth or a pin for adults here.   

Back to top 

2013 Heart&Stroke Walkabout™ Walkability Grant

Heart&Stroke Walkabout™ is offering Walkable Communities Grants  to help organizations or groups take steps to increase walking participation. Deadline for submissions is Tuesday July 2nd 2013. Categories of grants include: Infrastructure; Marketing; and Advocacy. Those eligible to apply for this funding include organizations, groups of individuals or communities. Those who have previously received a Walkability Grant may reapply. Grants of $500 to $2,000 will be awarded to 3-12 groups this year. A total of $6,000 will be distributed. Inquiries should be communicated to the Director of Health Promotion, Policy and Research:423-7682 X3311 or walkabout@heartandstroke.ns.ca.  

Back to top 

Leave No Trace: A Movement in Need of Support

Leave No Trace Canada is a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor recreation. It builds awareness, appreciation and respect for our wildlands.

Follow Leave No Trace Canada on Twitter: @leavenotrace_ca

Upcoming Events

• Recreation Month: June 
• Are you on the Right Path to a Destination Trail workshop, Truro: June 6
• Antigonish Trails Workshop - Trail building and maintenance: June 8-9 
• The Walk to Fight Arthritis: June 9
• NS Hiking Summit 2013, St. Ann's, Cape Breton: June 21-22

More events are found at http://www.hikenovascotia.ca/news-events/.  

Back to top 

Wilderness First Aid Courses Coming Up

• Red Cross Wilderness Remote First Aid: June 7-9, June 21- 23 and more dates
• Wilderness Remote First Responder: November 4-11
• Survival: November 22-24

Learn more about these courses here where you can check out additional dates, courses and focused sessions.

Back to top