All About Trail Crew Training
How Trail Crew Training participants learn about trail stewardship and gain hands-on experience
As part of Trans Canada Trail’s Valerie Pringle Trail Builders of Tomorrow programming, youth and community groups across Canada have the opportunity to participate in Trail Crew Training, learning essential skills in trail stewardship, maintenance and sustainable trail practices through hands-on experience.
But what exactly is Trail Crew Training? Here’s a look at what it entails, how it works and how it’s helping youth to gain essential skills while supporting a strong, sustainable trail sector for the future.
What is Trail Crew Training?
Developed by Trans Canada Trail in collaboration with experienced trail builders and instructors, the program introduces participants to trail stewardship via hands-on experience in the sector. Participants gain valuable insights into sustainable trail design, effective maintenance practices and the importance of protecting the natural environment.
A hands-on approach to learning
Initially designed for youth aged 15–30, but adaptable for a range of participants, the Trail Crew Training program creates a welcoming, positive learning environment where participants can gain real-world experience while contributing to their local trails. The training is flexible and can be adapted to each community, landscape and group of learners. Participants train directly on trails – some part of the Trans Canada Trail network and some within their home communities – and learn about safe tool usage, sustainable trail building and design, signage and more.
The curriculum is offered as modules, with each module featuring learning objectives and outcomes. Overall, Trail Crew Training aims to equip participants with the following:
• Develop a basic understanding of trails and trail stewardship
• Explore careers in the trail sector
• Gain skills needed to find employment in the trail sector
Photo credit: Parkland Recreation Commission, Kosta’s Cove Trail Committee
Empowering youth with skills that lead to careers
Offered in conjunction with host organizations – for example, via the Outland Youth Employment Program or through local trail organizations – the curriculum covers a number of areas, including basic tools and safety; sustainable trail design and building; signage essentials; careers in the trail sector; and more. In some communities, Trail Crew Training is also delivered in collaboration with organizations that support newcomers and underrepresented groups, and helps participants build skills, confidence and a sense of belonging through outdoor experiences.
Following a core learning component, participants take their knowledge into the field through hands-on trail projects and community-based activities. Recent examples include a 16-foot bridge installation; trail cleanup, debris clearing and grooming; learning safe operation of tools such as buzz saws and other equipment; and supporting guided trail experiences that help create welcoming and inclusive outdoor spaces. When led by Indigenous instructors or delivered with Indigenous partners, the curriculum incorporates Indigenous perspectives on trails. In other contexts, participants engage with a module focused on advancing reconciliation. Those who complete the program receive a Trail Crew Training certificate from Trans Canada Trail, recognizing their skills and supporting future opportunities in the trail and outdoor sectors.
Feedback from the program has been overwhelmingly positive, with nearly 90 per cent of recent survey participants answering “Yes or Maybe” to whether they were interested in more opportunities to learn about trails or to working on trails in the future.
Furthering learning and growing community
Trail Crew Training has also been offered as a workshop to trail and community groups across Canada. In 2025, it was offered in three communities:
• Edmonton, Alberta
• Potlotek First Nation, Nova Scotia
• Carcross, Yukon
Trail Crew Training and other educational resources and support
Trans Canada Trail offers organizations across the country educational resources and support to help deliver training and create employment-related experiences, contributing to a strong and sustainable trail sector.
To learn more about holding Trail Crew Training in your community, reach out to Raquel Healey at rhealey@tctrail.ca.
Trail Crew Training is generously supported by Cabela Outdoor Fund, the Co-operators, Parks Canada, and Power Corporation of Canada.
Find out more about how Trans Canada Trail is strengthening the trail sector through research, evaluation, knowledge mobilization and sector-wide collaboration at the Centre for Trail Excellence.
