Trail Watch Captains

This program allows small groups of volunteers (2-6 people) to hike one of Garibaldi Park’s many trails along with a Team Captain. Along the way, the Trail Watch groups will do small maintenance projects such as cutting brush or clearing blocked culverts. They will monitor trail conditions to alert BC Parks to major maintenance issues or damage.

Our Trail Watch Team Captains aim to rotate through all of the trails in the park throughout the hiking season. We are seeking volunteers to join a Team Captain on Trail Watch hikes. The Trail Watch program hikes are not all work, work, work, work, but also provide the opportunity for connecting with others, enjoying nature and the beauty that is around us. We plan to offer several trips each month throughout the season including, day trips on weekends and throughout the week, as well as the occasional overnight trip to cover longer trails.

Read the detailed BC Parks Trail Watch guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find out more about what Trail Watch Captains do.

Who are Trail watch Captains?

Trail Watch Captains help run our trail watch program by leading small groups of volunteers on hikes across Garibaldi Park while performing minor trail maintenance.

What experience or qualifications do I need to become a trail watch captain?

You should have experience doing various hikes. Experience doing trail maintenance is also an asset. You should be comfortable leading small groups of volunteers. Basic first aid is highly encouraged for Trail Captains and we are working on organizing a course for those who do not have it.

What is the time commitment and schedule for Trail Watch Captains?

Trail Watch Captains have flexibility to schedule a trail watch trip on any day of the week. You are expected to do a trail watch trip at least at least once a month for the duration of the hiking season June – September 2021 . You can conduct trips as often as possible.

Will I receive any training?

All trail watch captains are required to go through a one-time online training from BC Parks or training from FOGPS. You will also be further assisted and guided by our Trail Maintenance Committee.

How many people will we manage as Trail Watch Captains?

Trail watch captains have flexibility to choose the number of volunteers they want as part of the trail watch trip. The minimum group size is 2 people (including trail watch captain). Maximum suggested group size is 6 during COVID.

How will COVID affect Trail watch trips?

FOGPS will be monitoring the COVID restrictions closely and intend to follow all health authority guidelines. Specific guidelines will be released closer to the beginning of the trail watch program.

Where do Trail Watch Captains and teams get their tools?

FOGPS does not have funding yet to supply people and teams with tools so at this point we hope that Captains and volunteers are able to supply themselves with basic tools: snippers, trowls, small saws, garbage bags etc.

What are Trail Captains required to do for hikes?

Trail Captains must:

Send out an email to our volunteer list with info on the Trail Watch hike they are planning. Communicate with interested volunteers to plan their Trail Watch Hike. ** Trail Watch Captains will have discretion as to those they email based on comfort level of COVID restrictions.
Keep good records of the volunteers and work done on the hikes, using the system that FOGPS and BC Parks set up.
Have a safety plan for each hike they do, using the template that FOGSP and BC Parks agree to.
Provide leadership and guidance to those on their hike as to what they are able to accomplish with regards to trail maintenance and ensure that all work falls into the guidelines that you will/have learned in your BC Parks Training
Generate a basic report for FOGPS on the work done on their hike, which volunteers attended, and what larger trail issues were observed that should be reported to BC Parks

Ready to be a Trail Captain?

Get in touch with us to find out more.