Safe Hiking Program
The Safe Hiking Program is a new Hike Ontario certification course for day hiking, that will introduce the new hiker to the joys and benefits of hiking, walking and the trails of Ontario. Special focus is placed on safety, sustainability and enjoyment.
Hike Ontario developed the Safe Hiking Program to:
- Provide the novice hiker with the knowledge necessary to keep themselves safe while hiking
- Provide hikers with the knowledge to make this a sustainable activity (environmentally and socially)
- Assist novice hikers in developing the confidence to join hiking groups and/or go on their own hikes
- Deliver the 'best practices of hiking' so that students can become confident, self reliant hikers and walkers
Safe Hiking Program Course Outline
This course will take students through the process of planning a hike in a safe manner. It will start with an Introduction to Hiking, including the Joys of Hiking and Types of Hikes. Students will then be guided through the steps of planning and going on a hike including:
- Preparing for a Hike - including collecting the necessary information, using that information to collect a route, making sure someone knows where we are and our hiking plans, and finally knowing the risks involved so that we can properly prepare for the hike
- Packing and Outfitting - including what to pack in a first aid and safety kit, how to properly hydrate and feed ourselves on a hike as well as how to dress and what gear we should bring along
- Hitting the Trail - once the planning is done, we can determine how we will get to the trail, how to follow the route, monitor hiking conditions to ensure safety; we will also look at some what-if scenarios, and learn about Leave No Trace and trail etiquette
For more information on the Safe Hiking Program and program dates, please email info@hikeontario.com
