Youth Hiking Program
Youth Hiking Program
The Sydenham Bruce Trail Club (SBTC) Youth Hiking Program creates opportunities for youth up to age 18 to explore the Bruce Trail via guided hikes, as well as resources for youth, families and youth-focused organizations to explore the Trail independently.
Time spent in nature is an affordable way for families to spend time together. There are many public spaces and trails within the Sydenham Bruce Trail section (including within Owen Sound) that provide a chance to explore the outdoors and can be accessed for free on foot. Time spent in nature also fosters well-being, most notably in youth. Outdoor experiences help to build fitness, resilience, and confidence.
Youth Hiking Program Coordinator Contact: YouthHikingCoordinator@sydenhambrucetrail.ca
Youth Hiking Badges
SBTC has launched four badges to help support the Youth Hiking Program. The requirements for each badge are described in more detail below.
Youth-oriented community organizations and schools may contact the Youth Hiking Coordinator to discuss acquiring badges for their programming. Guided hikes may also be available to organizations – contact us well in advance of your event for the best chance of coordination.
Badge Costs:
- Boots on the Trail: Free
- Junior Hiker: $7
- By the Seasons: $7
- Junior Naturalist: $7
For families requesting multiples of the same badge: the first badge is $7 each, additional badges are $5 each.
Badges can be requested by sending an email to the Youth Hiking Coordinator (YouthHikingCoordinator@sydenhambrucetrail.ca).
Please include your names, address and Bruce Trail number (if applicable) as well as any information and/or logs outlined in the badge requirements below. The Youth Hiking Coordinator will send payment instructions once request is confirmed; badges will be mailed on receipt of payment.
Bruce Trail membership is encouraged, but not required to participate in this program.
Boots on the Trail
This badge is offered free after the completion of a single first hike in the Sydenham section of the Bruce Trail. It will be given out at SBTC events and the end of Sydenham BTC youth-oriented group hikes, but is also available to youth completing their first hike independently or as part of a community outing.
Visit the Bruce Trail Conservancy Hike Schedule and select Sydenham to see upcoming hikes.
Junior Hiker
Complete 7 of the 14 hikes from the list below. Hikes completed as part of this badge must be completed separate from other badge challenges (i.e. Boots on the Trail, End to End). Hikes may be completed independently, or as part of a guided group hike.
Keep a log of each hike including the date hiked, names of hikers, and the distance. Submit your logs as described above to be eligible for this badge.
All of hikes are featured in the book Exploring Sydenham by Ron Savage. Consider using the book for additional information during the hikes, and/or participate in the search for hidden codes!
- Walters Falls Loop
- Bognor Marsh (full loop, not just marsh)
- Silent Valley (Wilson Homestead loop)
- Woodford Escarpment Loop
- Cottonwood Loop
- Pines/Clearview loops
- Sydenham Nature Reserve
- Inglis Falls
- Jones Falls (Merle Gunby Loop)
- Fossil Glen (Frank Holley, option for second loop)
- Lindenwood Pond
- Lindenwood Loop
- Kemble Wetland
- Dodd’s Hill
Sydenham By the Seasons
Choose one of the hikes listed under the requirements for the Junior Hiker badge and hike it in each of the four seasons. One of the hikes can be double-counted toward the requirement of the Junior Hiker badge. Keep a log or journal (written, drawn or photo-based) of interesting things seen and changes observed across all four seasons. A copy of observations must be sent, along with the location and date hiked.Hikers may choose another trail hike in the Sydenham section instead of one of the hikes listed, understanding that other trails may be more hazardous in the winter due to snow-covered crevices.
Junior Naturalist
Log 10 species (e.g. animals, trees, plants, fungi, insects – any mix of those species will do) that you’ve found in your adventures anywhere along the Bruce Trail. Logs can take the form of a drawing, photo or written blurb about each of the species you’ve found. Don’t forget to tell us where (approximate location will do) and when (date) you saw them! Consider becoming a Citizen Scientist and posting your findings to the Bruce Trail Conservancy Project on iNaturalist.
COMING SOON
Funding for this program was made possible with a grant from Community Foundation Grey Bruce