Two Field Leader – Hiking Courses will be offered in Baddeck – one in Baddeck and one in Antigonish – on June 13 and 14, 2015. The course will provide participants with Outdoor Council of Canada (OCC) national certification in Field Leader – Hiking. This includes skills to organize and lead others in a one day, educational or activity based experience in a natural environment. The course is two full days in length and will provide successful candidates with the necessary skills to be a confident hiking leader Continue reading “Field Leader – Hiking Courses June 13-14, Baddeck and Antigonish”
Re-Connecting with Nature Workshops June 12-24
The Re-Connecting with Nature workshop is a hands-on day of outdoor adventure to improve your ability to lead and share an appreciation and understanding of nature with children and youth. The workshop is suitable for youth group leaders, recreation and camp staff, teachers, early childhood educators, parents and concerned citizens. The aim is to increase leadership capacity in Nova Scotia in order to re-connect children and youth with nature. Participants will improve their leadership skills, gain practical activity ideas, network with like-minded folks and have fun in nature. The workshop is offered through Hike Nova Scotia in partnership with the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness with support from Acadia University.
Workshops will take place: June 12 in Truro; June 13 in Halifax; June 16 in Wolfville; June 19 in Barrachois; June 20 in Antigonish; and June 24 in Lunenburg. The workshop cost is $50 ($40 for members of Hike Nova Scotia). A $25 subsidy is available for parents not associated with an organization and for volunteer leaders. Registration includes a workshop manual and a one-year membership with Hike Nova Scotia. Learn more and register here.
Field Leader – Hiking Course Mar. 26, Apr. 2, Apr. 9, Truro
A Field Leader – Hiking Course will be offered in Truro on Mar. 26, Apr. 2 and Apr. 9, 2015. It will provide participants with Outdoor Council of Canada (OCC) national certification. This includes skills to organize and lead others in a one day, educational or activity based experience in a natural environment. The program is suitable for hiking club leaders, trail groups, recreation department staff, teachers, 4H leaders, Scout leaders, Girl Guide leaders, parents or individuals interested in leading hikes. Courses are taught by OCC certified instructors. The course will provide successful candidates with the necessary skills to be a confident hiking leader. The cost is $90 ($80 for current Hike NS members). The course is offered through the Nova Scotia Chapter of the OCC in partnership with Hike Nova Scotia and supported by the Province of Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Outdoor Leadership Development Program. For more information and to register, go here.
Field Leader – Hiking & Winter Leader Course Mar. 27-29, Chester Basin
A Field Leader – Hiking & Winter Leader Course will be offered in Chester Basin on Mar. 27-29, 2015. It will provide participants with Outdoor Council of Canada (OCC) national certification in Field Leader – Hiking and Winter Leadership. This includes skills to organize and lead others in a one day, educational or activity based experience in a natural environment. The program is suitable for hiking club leaders, trail groups, recreation department staff, teachers, 4H leaders, Scout leaders, Girl Guide leaders, parents or individuals interested in leading hikes. Courses are taught by OCC certified instructors. The course is two and a half days in length and will provide successful candidates with the necessary skills to be a confident hiking leader. The cost is $112 ($102 for current Hike NS members). The course is offered through the Nova Scotia Chapter of the OCC in partnership with Hike Nova Scotia and the Municipality of the District of Chester and supported by the Province of Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Outdoor Leadership Development Program. For more information, go here.
NS Hiking Summit April 24-26, Scotsburn
Hike Nova Scotia invites individuals and groups with an interest in hiking, walking and snowshoeing to the fourth annual Nova Scotia Hiking Summit, from Friday, April 24 to Sunday, April 26 at Scotsburn Elementary School in Scotsburn. The summit is a celebration of hiking culture, including best practices, stories and networking opportunities. The Summit is hosted by Hike NS and Pictou County, with support from the NS Department of Health and Wellness.
There is limited space for this event, so please register early to secure your spot. Registration is $30 for Hike NS members and $40 for non-members (who will receive a membership with their registration). Registration includes: access to hike events and socials; access to Saturday sessions; Saturday morning coffee/snacks, lunch, afternoon coffee/snacks and an optional supper. Registration does not include accommodation or other meals – you must arrange them on your own. The deadline for registration is April 20, 2015. Learn more and register online here.
Field Leader – Hiking Course Feb. 21-22, Dartmouth
A Field Leader – Hiking Course (formerly Leadership Level 1 – Hiking) will be offered in Dartmouth on February 21-22, 2015. It will provide participants with Outdoor Council of Canada (OCC) 
national certification in Field Leader – Hiking. This includes skills to organize and lead others in a one day, educational or activity based experience in a natural environment. The program is suitable for hiking club leaders, trail groups, recreation department staff, teachers, 4H leaders, Scout leaders, Girl Guide leaders, parents or individuals interested in leading hikes. Courses are taught by OCC certified instructors. The course is two full days in length and will provide successful candidates with the necessary skills to be a confident hiking leader. The cost is $90 ($80 for current Hike NS members). The course is offered through the Nova Scotia Chapter of the OCC in partnership with Hike Nova Scotia and supported by the Province of Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Outdoor Leadership Development Program. For more information, go here.
Snowshoe hikes popular winter activity
If there’s snow this winter, expect to see lots of people on snowshoes. Hike Nova Scotia and 16 host organizations across the province have partnered up to offer the 2015 Winter Guided Snowshoe Hike series in January, February and March. There are 35 snowshoe hikes led by local folks and participants qualify to win “trail prizes.”
Quotes:
“There’s just something about snowshoeing that brings people out,” says Janet Barlow, Communications Coordinator with Hike Nova Scotia. “Last year, we had about 500 people attended 27 hikes. We have even more hikes scheduled this year and expect even more people to turn out.”
Fast Facts:
- Hike Nova Scotia and 16 host organizations across the province have partnered up to offer the 2015 Winter Guided Snowshoe Hike series.
- There are 35 snowshoe hikes led by local folks.
- The series runs from January 10 to March 14.
- Hikes include the following areas: South Shore, Annapolis Valley, Colchester County, Pictou County, Cape Breton and Halifax Regional Municipality.
- The full list of events – including hike dates, times, registration details and directions – is found at www.hikenovascotia.ca.
- Participants qualify to win “trail prizes.”
- The hikes are meant to help get more people outside in winter and active on our trails.
- Hike NS thanks its partners for organizing the hikes on the ground as well as the NS Trails Federation and the NS Department of Health and Wellness for their support.
- Hike Nova Scotia encourages and promotes hiking, walking and snowshoeing throughout Nova Scotia.
- Membership in Hike NS means keeping up-to-date on the latest hiking news and having a say in its many projects.
- Hike NS is supported by the Province of Nova Scotia.
Photos:
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Contact
Janet Barlow, Hike Nova Scotia
(902) 717-4408
Email
Hiker Gift Ideas
Looking for a good gift idea for the hiker in your life? Look no further. Here are some ideas from Hike NS that might come in handy:
- Hike NS Gift Membership
- Hike NS T-shirt
- Hiking Trails of Cape Breton book
- Hiking Trails of Mainland Nova Scotia book
- Donation to the Trans Canada Trail
- Donation to NS Trails Federation
- Donation to a local trail group
- First aid kit
- Compass
- Snowshoes
- Trekking poles
Here are a few ideas from our followers on Facebook and Twitter:
- Wool socks
- Mixed nuts
- Back pack
- Walking stick
- Headlamp
- Hiking boots
- Comfy pants
- Parks Canada pass
Hike NS members can take advantage of perks and discounts from the businesses in our Membership Benefits program as they shop for the perfect gift. Learn about the perks and discounts here available to Hike NS members here.
Call for Winter Guided Snowshoe Hikes
Deadline: December 19, 2014
Once again, Hike NS invites groups across NS to partner with it on delivering winter guided snowshoe hikes in January, February and March of 2015. The purpose of the events is to: 1) get more people in NS hiking and snowshoeing; highlight local trails and increase their use; and 3) promote Hike NS and local trail groups.
If you and your local organization can organize a snowshoe hike, please register your event here by December 19, 2014 for events between January 9 and March 15, 2015. Note that one organization may register only up to five hikes.
Leadership Level 1 – Hiking Course Nov. 29-30, Halifax
A Leadership Level 1 – Hiking Course will be offered in Halifax on November 29-30, 2014. It will provide participants with Outdoor Council of Canada (OCC) national certification in Leadership Level 1 – Hiking. This includes skills to organize and lead others in a one day, educational or activity based experience in a natural environment. The program is suitable for hiking club leaders, trail groups, recreation department staff, teachers, 4H leaders, Scout leaders, Girl Guide leaders, parents or individuals interested in leading hikes. Courses are taught by OCC certified instructors. The course is two full days in length and will provide successful candidates with the necessary skills to be a confident hiking leader. The cost is $90 ($80 for current Hike NS members). The course is offered through the Nova Scotia Chapter of the OCC in partnership with Hike Nova Scotia and supported by the Province of Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Outdoor Leadership Development Program. Click here for more information.
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