Trails' "Four Seasons, Four Years, For Life" outdoor program builds confidence through skill development, high school credits, bursaries and mentorship. We challenge and equip vulnerable youth to become contributing members of the community.
Founded in 1992, Trails has over 500 graduates. It costs $1.3 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
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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 recognized as Top Charity in Canada as published by Maclean’s and Moneysense magazines
