Q: Tell me about yourself, what do you do outside of volunteering  with the ECT?

A: I’m an outdoor enthusiast and avid hiker. I enjoy camping, kayaking, biking, and snowboarding.. As an office worker by day, hiking is an important part of my wellness routine after work. When I moved to Newfoundland from Quebec, hiking was one of the attractions that drew me to the province. At first it was just myself, then later in life it became a family activity with my daughters and my dogs. In the early 2000s I ran day and overnight hiking tours.

Port Kirwan

Q: What types of organizations do you volunteer with?

A: I like to volunteer as much as possible. I volunteer regularly with the Association for New Canadians doing family matching as well as tutoring. This summer I’m very excited to start volunteering with the City of St. John’s as a Cruise Ambassador, welcoming cruise ship guests to the province, handing out maps of the downtown and suggesting must-see destinations. I also volunteer for many festivals and events around the  area, for example the Tely 10, the annual Mt. Pearl Frosty Festival, and the Newfoundland & Labrador Folk Festival. This year, I volunteered for the ECT Trail Raiser as a way to help celebrate the 30th anniversary!

Q: What motivates you to volunteer? And what do you find most rewarding?

A: I like to stay active and on the go; volunteering keeps me busy and gets me involved. It’s a wonderful way to contribute to the community. I love meeting new people, and volunteering is a great way to form new connections with people who have similar interests. Not to mention,
collecting some cool volunteer hats and T-Shirts!

Q: You once mentioned that when you first moved here, hiking was one of the things that made you want to stay in Newfoundland. What does the east coast trail mean to you?

A: The East Coast Trail was my first experience with coastal hiking. Before moving here I had always hiked mountains and forest trails. I fell in love with the coastline, the sound of the waves, the smell of the ocean and the feel of the fog. It blew my mind that it was an experience that you could have in Canada! It felt like an experience you would travel abroad to find, and it was right here at home. 25 years ago, when I started hiking the ECT I knew it would be an international destination. I was so impressed by the level of effort put into maintenance. I was shocked to see these beautiful staircases and boardwalks built so far into the backcountry! As a parent, I saw it as a great way to get outdoors with my daughters and allow them to learn through nature. I also see it as a very safe place to hike. Before moving here I was not comfortable with solo hiking, but on the East Coast Trail I have always felt safe.

Nature is where I recharge. Having access to hiking year-round helps me maintain my mental and physical health. Trail therapy and forest bathing is free and easily accessible, and so good for your mental wellness. I’m so grateful for the ECT!

Taken on Mickeleen’s Path

Q: What’s your favorite trail and why?

A: One of my favourites is Deadman’s Bay Path from Fort Amherst to Blackhead. I love the contrast of hiking from the busy downtown area to the peaceful cove around Freshwater Bay. I also like that it’s a moderate hike and close to the City.

Q: Tell me about a memorable experience you’ve had on the trail.

A: One of my coolest memories was a hike to see “The Arch” iceberg that was grounded near the trail. While looking at the iceberg, we started to hear these loud cracking noises, almost like fireworks. The arch of the iceberg calved off and the iceberg rolled right in front of us! Our vantage point was a high cliff so we had a nice safe place to watch. We were lucky enough to snap these photos!

Another lasting memory from the trail was the day I made a lifelong friend! I love to meet the avid hikers along the trail. This particular day, I was doing a day hike and met a woman who came from another Province to complete a thru hike of the entire ECT. As two solo hikers that day, we really enjoyed the company and hiked together until the end of the section I was hiking. I offered to pick her up at the end of her trek and we exchanged phone numbers before parting ways. Days later I got a call from her, and we met at the trail to give her a ride back from the end of
the trail. To this day we still send each other Christmas cards and connect when we’re nearby. The memories made along the trail are endless – these are just a few highlights!

Has Sarah’s story sparked your interest? Join us! 

Do you have a special skill that could benefit the East Coast Trail? We’re always on the lookout for a helping hand. Whether you excel in video editing, photography, or have a knack for organization and enjoy working with people, there’s a place for you. Imagine becoming our VP of Volunteers & Membership & managing our Guided Hike program! There are currently a number vacancies, such as VP of Community Relations & Health and Safety Director.

Learn about how to become involved through volunteer work: https://eastcoasttrail.com/volunteer/

Meet the current Board and Executive Team: https://eastcoasttrail.com/governance/