Get Outside Challenge Committee Member - Events & Promotions

The Get Outside Challenge (GOC) is Trails' annual spring fundraising event that encourages individuals, families and teams to spend at least eight hours outside during Challenge Week while raising funds to support youth from underserved communities. Alongside the virtual challenge, the committee will help create engaging in-person opportunities—such as community walks, tree planting and outdoor activities—that bring people together to celebrate the outdoors and Trails.

About Trails

Trails Youth Initiatives equips vulnerable youth from at-risk Toronto communities with the skills, confidence, and support networks they need to thrive. Our signature program, Four Seasons, Four Years, For Life, is a long-term youth development program that combines outdoor experiential education, mentorship, leadership development, and ongoing alumni support.

For more than 30 years, Trails has provided young people with consistent relationships, meaningful challenges, and opportunities to build resilience, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Today, we support more than 200 youth and alumni through year-round programming, mentorship, academic guidance, employment support, and community-building initiatives. Our goal is to help young people overcome barriers, reach their potential, and become confident, contributing members of their communities.

What We Need From You

Committee Members help grow participation, create memorable experiences and make the GOC a success. We are looking for team members to help in the areas of fundraising, marketing and promotion, event logistics and communications. Depending on your interest and experiences, you could:

• Promote the Get Outside Challenge through your personal and professional networks
• Recruit participants, families, teams and workplaces to register and fundraise
• Help plan and support in-person activities such as community walks, tree planting events and other outdoor activations
• Assist with participant engagement, prizes and campaign promotions throughout Challenge Week
• Contribute creative ideas to make the Challenge fun, welcoming and inspiring
• Help identify community partners, sponsors or in-kind supporters
• Be an active participant in committee meetings, meeting timelines and working collaboratively with the team
• Lead by example by participating in the Challenge and supporting fundraising efforts

What You Bring to the Role

• Enthusiasm for Trails and community events
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Previous experience organizing and executing community events
• 1-5 years of experience volunteering or working with collaborative teams
• Teamwork and a willingness to help
• A positive attitude and reliability

Time Commitment

• November through May
• Monthly committee meetings, increasing as event approaches
• Event participation during Challenge Week and any planned in-person activations

Our Investment

• Support from the Trails team with a dedicated staff partner throughout the duration of your volunteer commitment
• Opportunity to meet other volunteers and community leaders
• Formal committee experience, with opportunities to enhance communication, collaboration and strategic planning skills
• A rewarding way to support youth and families