PATC is expanding its hiking program and is in need of hike leaders to lead hikes in our area (Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia).

If you have a special trail you would like to share or a special talent like photography, geology, botany, history, or other area in which you excel, consider leading a hike or a series of hikes.

Training is required to lead PATC hikes.

PATC hike leader training is open to experienced hikers in the Mid-Atlantic who are current PATC members. Hike Leader Education courses are offered periodically online and in person. The goal is to provide PATC standards for hike leaders to support safe hiking. Attaining certification is a 4 step process:

1. Take American Red Cross Basic First Aid online or in person.
2. Read the PATC Hike Leaders Handbook 
3. Complete the Hike Leader Education course online or in person
4. Lead 2 hikes to include planning route, advertising hike, vetting hikers, and leading the hike under the guidance and assessment of a certified hike leader.

Class fee: 20.00 for PATC members. For non-members, one must become a PATC member before registering for course. PATC membership for an individual is 40.00, annually. Pre-registration is required and limited to 10 students.

Already a Trained Hike Leader and want to lead PATC hikes? If you would like to lead a hike, please let us know by emailing the Hikes Committee chair, at hikes@patc.net. We will make sure you get all the information and material you need to lead a hike.

Leading a hike for PATC is a great way to familiarize both members and the general public of PATC and the work it does.