Help me support Canada’s Trail!

My Activity Tracking

211
kms

My target 150 kms

Why I’m Participating in the Great Canadian Hike

There’s something magical about being on the Trail. The fresh air, the stillness of the trees, and the feeling of connection to nature and community. I’ve always turned to the outdoors for peace, health and perspective — and the Trans Canada Trail offers all that and more.

This fall, I’m joining the Great Canadian Hike, a nationwide challenge where people across Canada will hike, bike, paddle or roll and log their kilometres to collectively reach 30,000 kilometres in 30 days — the length of the Trail from coast to coast to coast.

From September 20 to October 19, I’ll be logging my kilometres and raising funds to help keep the Trail accessible, safe, and thriving — for everyone, now and for future generations.

You can sign up to participate, donate directly to my fundraising page, or share my campaign with your network to help spread the word.

Let’s be part of something great — together.

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My Achievements

Added Profile Picture

Shared my page

1st Blog Post

5 Blog Posts

Created a Team

Sent Email

1st Donation

Thanked Donor

Donated to myself

50% Fundraising Goal

Achieved Fundraising Goal

Raised $500

Raised $750

Raised $1,000

1st KM Logged

10 Active Days

20 Active Days

30 Active Days

25% Distance Goal

50% Distance Goal

75% Distance Goal

Achieved Distance Goal

My Updates

How therapeutic recreation and running help change my life

Thursday 2nd Oct

Hey there! Some of you may know me, and some of you may not—so let me introduce myself. I’m Laura, a 23-year-old student in the online graduate program in Therapeutic Recreation at Georgian College.

Recently, I’ve realized how deeply therapeutic recreation connects to my personal journey. Like many of us, I’ve faced my own battles, and running has been a powerful tool in helping me grow. It’s made me stronger, more confident, and deeply grateful for the world and the people around me. Running didn’t just support my healing—it helped me discover who I truly am: resilient and strong.

Now, you might be thinking, “But I don’t like running—how could recreation help me?” Here’s the thing: you don’t have to be super physically active to reconnect with yourself. Recreation can be as simple as going on a nature bingo walk, sitting in a park and doing arts and crafts, or anything else that brings you joy. It doesn’t have to be complicated. What matters is finding purpose in what you enjoy. For me, that’s running and lifting weights—but your version might look totally different.

Lastly, I’m not saying you need to rush outside or immediately dive into something new. What I do encourage is a moment of reflection: is what you’re doing right now actually fun, fulfilling, or helpful? If not, try exploring something that feels meaningful to you—even if it’s as simple as grabbing an iced coffee or taking a quiet moment for yourself. From there, see if there are other activities that could support your journey. You don’t have to do it alone—lean into the support you have from family, friends, or even your community. Sometimes, the smallest steps lead to the biggest shifts.

Hence, this is why I’m challenging myself to take part in the Great Canadian Hike. It’s not just about covering distance—it’s about deepening my connection to nature, to myself, and to the values that therapeutic recreation has helped me uncover. Along the way, the running and gym community has played a huge role in helping me flourish. Their support, energy, and shared passion have reminded me that growth doesn’t happen in isolation—it’s nurtured through connection, movement, and mutual encouragement. This challenge represents a continuation of my journey: embracing movement, gratitude, and resilience in new ways. Whether it’s a solo trail walk or a shared moment with others, I see this as an opportunity to grow, reflect, and celebrate the healing power of recreation in all its forms.

Sincerely,

Laura Beaudry Andrews