The Great Riverwood Hike
In support of
The Riverwood Conservancy
Thursday, October 24, 2024
4:00 – 8:00 pm
Chappell House Lawn
4300 Riverwood Park Lane
Make a difference for nature in the city!
Ask anyone who’s enjoyed a hike on Riverwood’s trails, and they’ll tell you it was a good time. So what exactly makes The Great Riverwood Hike so… great?
It’s a chance for individuals, families, and groups to take in the beauty of nature and learn more about the plants and wildlife that surround them – all while raising awareness and funds to support The Riverwood Conservancy’s vital conservation, education, and gardening programs.
It costs approximately $1.4 million annually for The Riverwood Conservancy to carry out those programs, and we rely on donations, grants, and events like The Great Riverwood Hike to fund that amount.
How The Great Riverwood Hike works
Register yourself or a team to take part in The Great Riverwood Hike. A fee of $20 applies to individual registrations for participants aged 6 and over. Participants aged 5 and under can take part for free. All individuals must be registered in order to take part in the Hike and receive a boxed dinner.
Once you've registered, collect donations from your network of friends, family, and colleagues that will go directly to The Riverwood Conservancy's nature-focused work.
What to expect on event day
4:00 – 5:30 pm: Check-in at the Registration Tent on the Chappell House Lawn between. Anyone who hasn't registered online can still register on event day and take part in the Hike.
5:30 pm: Welcome remarks and light warm-up.
5:40 pm: The hike begins!
Hike our one kilometer loop as many times as you'd like. We'll also have a variety of booths set up where you can learn about local wildlife and plants, take part in fun nature-themed activities, and connect with other organizations that support our mission of connecting our community to nature.
The loop is family- and dog-friendly, but please be sure to keep your pet(s) leashed at all times.
When you've finished your hike, grab your boxed dinner that you can take to go or enjoy in the company of friends, family, and Riverwood supporters like you. You'll depart knowing you made a difference for nature in the city!
Prizes and commemorative sticker
Register for the Hike by September 24 and you'll automatically be entered in our Early Bird Prize Draw where you could win an Urban Nature Store gift card, movie tickets, or an Armstrong Bird Food birding kit!
The first 45 individual participants who raise $500 or more will receive a recycled cardboard notebook with The Riverwood Conservancy's logo stamped on it, so you can jot down your thoughts or nature journal whenever you're in the woods!
The Top Individual Fundraiser (aged 19+) will receive two zipline passes and a $50 dinner gift card from Long Point Eco-Adventures, and a pair of Vortex binoculars.
The Top Youth Fundraiser (aged 6 -18) will receive a camping prize package including tent, sleeping bag, and a pair of Vortex binoculars.
The Top Fundraising Team will receive a personal, guided Discovery program with The Riverwood Conservancy's Program Director Derek Stone, followed by lunch at Chappell House.
Everyone who registers for the Hike will receive a commemorative sticker!
Fundraising tips
If you're new to peer-to-peer (P2P) fundraising or are looking for pointers on how to maximize your potential for donations, have a look at our fundraising tips for individual participants and team captains.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register for The Great Riverwood Hike?
Online registration is now closed. Please register in-person at the event.
What’s included with the registration fee?
Your $20 registration fee get you into the event, as well as a boxed dinner and a commemorative iron-on/sew-on badge! We’re planning to have a new badge each year as The Great Riverwood Hike grows, so start your collection with the special Inaugural Edition badge!
Where can I park on event day?
Parking is available at Riverwood in the Main Parking Lot, located adjacent to the MacEwan Terrace Garden. Please note that the Visitor Parking Lot adjacent to Chappell House will not be available for parking.
What's in the boxed dinner and when do I get it?
Head to the Check-In Tent on event day to pick up a voucher for your boxed dinner. You’ll be able to pick up your boxed dinner after you’ve completed your Hike. The boxed dinner includes a gourmet half sandwich (vegetarian option available), a cookie, fruit, and a drink. Our thanks to Capra's Kitchen for providing the boxed dinners!
How do I submit pledges?
Collect pledges/donations to your Hike online through the CanadaHelps account you’ll create when you register for the event. You can submit cash donations at the Check-In Tent on event day.
How will I know if I’ve won a fundraising prize?
If you’re one of the first 45 individual participants to raise $500 or more, we’ll let you know by email that you’ve earned a recycled cardboard notebook stamped with The Riverwood Conservancy’s logo. You’ll be able to pick up your notebook on event day.
If you’re one of the top fundraisers (individual, youth, or team), we’ll contact you to congratulate you (!) and coordinate your prize pick up.
How do I become a Team Captain?
The first individual to register a team automatically becomes that team’s captain. If you have a group of friends or family who want to create a team, make sure that the person you want to be captain is the first person to register the team.
Does my team’s fundraising total count towards the prize for raising $500?
No. Team fundraising totals are not eligible for the notebook prize, however the funds you’ve raised individually will count towards individual prize eligibility.
What’s the deadline to submit pledges/donations?
All pledges/donations must be submitted by 11:59 pm EST on Thursday, October 24, 2024 to be applicable to your fundraising total.
Will tax receipts be issued for pledges/donations?
Tax receipts will be issued for pledges/donations of $20 or more, as long as the donor’s complete address is provided. Online donations are automatically receipted through CanadaHelps.
Earn positive public exposure and support our environmental work by becoming a sponsor of The Great Riverwood Hike
Summit Sponsor
Trail Guide
Trail Marker
Trail Angel
Booth Participants
Coffee Provided By
Apples Provided By
