Trails' "Four Seasons, Four Years, For Life" outdoor program builds confidence through skill development, high school credits, scholarships and mentorship. We challenge and equip vulnerable youth to become contributing members of the community.
Founded in 1992, Trails has over 600 graduates. It costs $1.9 million a year, all raised through private funding. We foster community, emotional intelligence, and self-knowledge through outdoor experiential education. We focus on growing skills such as conflict resolution, leadership, critical thinking, and reflection. With our focus on transference, participants build a positive engagement with Trails, the outdoors, and their authentic selves. Through equal parts challenge and opportunity, Trails doesn’t aim to just make a difference, we change lives.
How we started
Our History
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1992
Trails Youth Initiatives became a registered charity with 46 youth enrolled, operating at Kettleby
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1997
Trails partners with the Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority and commits to a lifetime property lease at Trails Lakeside in Stouffville
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1998
Rotary Club of Toronto Eglinton builds the main lodge
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2000
Initiated 5th year Leader In Training (LIT) program. Establishment of the Trails Dion Bursary and Wendy Anderson Bursary (now called the Trails Scholarship)
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2001
14 of 20 Trails graduates received the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. Designated as a Privately Inspected School by the Ministry of Education
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2007, 2008, 2010
Recipient of the Toskan Casales Youth Philanthropy Award
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2010
Founder, Jim Hayhurst Sr. and Jack Cockwell, Group Chairman at Brookfield Asset Management Inc. form Trails Board of Governors. Became accredited with the Ontario Camping Association
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2013
Developed the Outreach Program in partnership with York Region District School Board
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2015
Formalized the Mentoring program for all grade 11 and 12 students
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2017
Doubled enrolment, recruiting an additional 20 (total 40) year 1 participants. Built Hilltop cabin, Tabins and a lodge addition; developed the Alumni Association, created the FIT program
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2019
Created the Hurst Legacy Award, first recipient: Warren Clarke. Achieved a 100% efficacy rate for Social and Emotional Skills by the Impact Genome.
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2020
Recognized as one of Maclean's Best Canadian Charities. In response to COVID-19, the creation of Virtual Trails, Trails City Day Camp and Family Camps
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2021
Formalization of the FOR LIFE Program and development of FORward Resources
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2026
Full contingent of completed expansion, 176 youth enrolled annually
Mission
Challenge & Equip Youth
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Trails provides youth with opportunities to play, learn, and grow in the outdoors.
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Trails cultivates resilience, leadership, connections and compassion through inspiring and challenging journeys of self-discovery in the natural world.
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Trails levels the field by empowering all children to recognize their potential and realize their dreams.
Values
Our Core Values
Trails was founded with “3 Key Factors to Success” and with the following guiding principles.
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Fun
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Roots and Wings
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Long-Term (4 Years)
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Consistent (4 Seasons)
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Big Impact
A big impact on a few, rather than a small impact on many
Trails Lakeside, Stouffville
Trails Lakeside in Stouffville is situated on 143 acres of conservation land and home to the Trails administration and program offices. The property boasts two lakes, six year-round cabins, a low and high ropes course, kilometres of hiking trails and three campsites. Participants are provided with all the equipment and gear they will need to enjoy four seasons of outdoor recreation, including camping, canoeing, swimming, hiking, snowshoeing, skating and cross country skiing. For a virtual tour of Trails Lakeside, click here.
Limberlost Northern Campus, Huntsville
Limberlost Wildlife and Nature Reserve, near Huntsville, is Trails’ Northern Campus. Use of the site is generously donated by Limberlost for the development of our youth in the Leaders-in-Training program through special purpose trips. The campus provides exposure to nature and builds confidence, the ability to adapt, and develops long-standing values. All proceeds from Limberlost’s trail map sales and the annual Limberlost Challenge, a 14, 28, or 56Km race through historic lakeside, wetland, and boardwalk trails on the private reserve go directly to Trails.
Trails recognized as Top Charity in Canada as published by Maclean’s and Moneysense magazines
