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Everything’s More Fun with Friends – A Guide to Building Your Great Canadian Hike Team

DATE: August 6, 2025

Who says hitting the trail can’t be a team sport? Building a Great Canadian Hike team is a great way to stay motivated and make your impact even bigger.  

Maybe you’re already part of a running or cycling club, or maybe you just have a group of friends who keep you accountable. Either way, we’re here to help you get started! 

Five Reasons to Start a Team

  1. To stay motivated: We all love a cheering section! Teaming up with friends and family can be a huge help in making sure you hit your goals.

  2. Bigger team, bigger impact: Pool your efforts to cover more ground, log more kilometres and raise more funds for a great cause.  

  3. To stay connected: The Trail doesn’t only connect us to nature, it connects us to one another as well. Group hikes, rides or paddles are a great way to catch up and socialize as you get active and explore.

  4. Friendly competition: The Great Canadian Hike is a challenge after all! Whether you develop a good-natured rivalry with another team or you compete for top spot on your team, friendly competition can be a great motivator.
     
  5. Cover more ground: Your team doesn’t have to live in the same province! Stay connected to friends and family across the country by creating a pan-Canadian team and logging kilometres across the country. 

How to Create a Team

Step 1: Register

If you haven’t already, sign up for the Great Canadian Hike! Once you’re logged in, go to your Dashboard, select “Create A Team” and enter your team's name, fundraising goal, and a brief description. 

Tip: If you’d like your team to be open to anyone, select “yes” beside “Allow anyone to join my team.” 

Step 2: Find your Teammates

Once you’ve created your team, you can invite your friends and family to join by sharing a simple link by email, texting or posting on social media.  

Tip: Your teammates will have to register for the Great Canadian Hike individually if they aren’t already. 

Step 3: Spread the Word!

Just like your individual donation page, you can share your team’s page to ask your network for support.  

Tip: Check out our resources page for sample social media posts and use our pre-written donation emails to help you ask for support. 

Tips for Being a Good Team Captain

  • Plan trail outings: Group hikes, meeting up for a bike ride or even a team dog walk! Whatever you can do to get your teammates out on the trail.  
  • Start the group chat: No matter your platform of choice, be the one to get everyone together in one spot for motivation and planning meetups.  
  • Be your team’s biggest fan: Motivation is key to a challenge like the Great Canadian Hike. Do whatever you can to keep your teammates on track to hit their goals. 
  • Make the first donation: Even if it’s a small amount, it’s always easier when someone gets the ball rolling. 
  • Track your milestones: Are you 50% of the way to your goal? Do you just need one more member to hit 15 people on your team? Check out the Achievement Badges on your page and motivate your team to hit them.  
  • The more the merrier: As team captain, don’t be shy about asking anyone and everyone you know to join your crew.  
  • Celebrate your accomplishments: Whether someone scores a huge donation or a few teammates completed an epic hike - make sure you’re recognizing the incredible accomplishments of your team!