Kamloops Hiking Clubs and Groups
There are two Hiking Clubs in Kamloops. Both are registered Societies and active clubs with their own websites. Almost all outdoor Clubs in Canada require a waiver to be signed as protection for their hike leaders and the Club itself (any clubs that don’t do this are naive). Both clubs require a waiver to be signed before joining in a hike. Kamloops Hiking Club offers an on-line waiver. Guests are welcome on a limited basis, bearing in mind that the mandate of the clubs is aimed at organizing events and keeping event spaces for its registered, paid members. Information on the clubs is available on their websites:
There are also a few informal groups in the area too, but nothing very organized. Meet-ups are a trend in bigger centers, but it has never really caught on here. Outdoor enthusiasts can network through social media and we can sometimes we see posts in Facebook and on other sites. Kamloops Hiking is a Facebook group that offers this opportunity, but it has a mix of Kamloops Hiking Club outings, enquiries, and shared outings from individuals. Kamloops Outdoor Club also has a FB group. TRU has a FB group called TRU AdventureU Outdoor Club. There are numerous groups that mountain bike, climb, or paddle too.
There is certainly a need for a meet-up style service in Kamloops, particularly for millennials. The challenge is that even a meet-up group requires individual leadership to step forward and then there are the risk management issues to consider too. An accident can result in a lawsuit so leaders are always at risk if they are taking on a leadership role. The most successful meet-ups are those that meet at a specific location and the groups just decide right there and then to pick a route, distance, time, and difficulty. The wide range in fitness, experience, and preparedness is always an issue, but less so on established trails for a moderate outing.
We lead group events, we hike with friends, and we go out alone all year round. For persons who want to get out more, a group or club may offer more outdoor opportunities.