In 2018, three members of a female-founded clean technology company trekked for 20 hours non-stop in the dead of winter to explore the impacts of rapid development on the urban and natural environments of Waterloo Region. The intent was to raise awareness of the risks of exposure for homeless citizens, while raising funds for The Working Centre. We logistically coordinated the event, assembled a documentary crew, completed the trek, and raised over $5000 in 6 short weeks.
This year, we're inviting others to join us on our journey from Cambridge to West Montrose. 65 kms of non-stop trekking during the most unforgiving of seasons, to explore the impacts of rapid development on our community, and on each other.
We have THREE distance options, and you are welcome to complete whichever distance best suits your endurance level.
The Pioneer - This distance takes approximately 2 hours to complete, from The Walter Bean Trail Head in Cambridge to Pioneer Tower in Kitchener.
The Optimist - This distance takes approximately 6-8 hours to complete, from The Walter Bean Trail Head in Cambridge to The Stanley Park Optimist Natural Area in Kitchener.
The Full Trek - This distance takes approximately 20-24 hours to complete, from The Walter Bean Trail Head in Cambridge to The West Montrose Kissing Bridge.
IMPORTANT STUFF:
As a Waterloo Region Crossing trekker, it is your responsibility to fundraise a minimum of $100. Every fundraising dollar goes directly to support the amazing programs at The Working Centre. You'll find your personal fundraising page as you complete your registration. Share it with your family, friends, and colleagues! There are prizes for the top fundraisers. Last year, three of us raised over $5000. Imagine the positive community impact we can have as a group of 100.
All trek details, including MANDATORY GEAR LIST, waivers, medical disclosure, and other documents can be found at www.waterlooregioncrossing.com/trek
Follow @WRCrossingTrek on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for updates on the trek, and feel free to add yourself to the Waterloo Region Crossing Trekkers Facebook group for updates on trek training opportunities, to get to know other trekkers, and to immerse yourself in our wonderful trek community. Join at https://www.facebook.com/groups/345237152705801/
As part of the Waterloo Region Crossing event, you will receive Trekker Updates and the Waterloo Region Crossing newsletter with important event-specific information just for participants. By registering for the trek, you are consenting to receiving trek-related email updates.
PRE-TREK INFO:
On February 8th, there is a MANDATORY gear check, registration, and submission of forms at The Accelerator Centre in Waterloo (Trek Headquarters). The registration and gear check process takes about 15 minutes. You can arrive any time between 4-7pm to complete registration and gear check. At 7pm, there is an all-trekker's meeting to discuss logistics, safety, and the trek route. Trekkers must be present at this meeting.
For CORPORATE TEAMS of 5 or more participants, the Trek Director can make arrangements to come into your office and conduct registration and go over trek logistics with your team on Friday during the day. If this arrangement is made, then it is not necessary for corporate teams to be present at the trekker's meeting or mandatory gear check/registration on the evening of Friday, Feb 8th.
Registration fees
Prices are inclusive of mandatory charges, items, and fees
Block pricing
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The Full Trek (approximately 20-24 hours) Closed
This trek distance traverses along side rare Charitable Research Reserve, explores the shorelines of The Grand River, crosses architectural footbridges, through snowy forest and meadows from The Walter Bean Trailhead in Cambridge to Pioneer Tower National Historic Site in Kitchener. From here, the trek passes through Deer Ridge neighbourhood, down King Street, and toward Chicopee, where it reconnects to the Grand River Walter Bean trail. It then crosses through beautiful Kuntz Park before entering the Stanley Park Optimist Natural Area. From here, trekkers hike through the Stanley Park Optimist Natural Area, past Bingemans, traversing through beautiful wintry forests until the trail emerges at the Economical Insurance Trailway near an archeological dig site that surfaced an early Indigenous settlement from nearly 2000 years ago. Here, the trail detours through suburban neighbourhoods until it reconnects with the river at Kiwanis Park. Trekkers then persevere onward down Woolwich Street
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$150.00Registrants 1 – 30
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$170.00Registrants 31 – 60
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$190.0061 – Sell out
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The Pioneer (approximately 2-3 hours) Closed
This trek distance traverses along side rare Charitable Research Reserve, explores the shorelines of The Grand River, crosses architectural footbridges, through snowy forest and meadows from The Walter Bean Trailhead in Cambridge to Pioneer Tower National Historic Site in Kitchener.
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$75.00Registrants 1 – 30
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$95.00Registrants 31 – 60
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$115.0061 – Sell out
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The Optimist (approximately 6-8 hours) Closed
This trek distance traverses along side rare Charitable Research Reserve, explores the shorelines of The Grand River, crosses architectural footbridges, through snowy forest and meadows from The Walter Bean Trailhead in Cambridge to Pioneer Tower National Historic Site in Kitchener. From here, the trek passes through Deer Ridge neighbourhood, down King Street, and toward Chicopee, where it reconnects to the Grand River Walter Bean trail. It then crosses through beautiful Kolb Park before entering the Stanley Park Optimist Natural Area.
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$105.00Registrants 1 – 30
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$125.00Registrants 31 – 60
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$145.0061 – Sell out
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Top fundraisers
| 1 |
View fundraiser page for Ashley
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Ashley Hynd$2,569.96 Raised$5,000.00 Goal |
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| 2 |
View fundraiser page for Jen
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Jen Gadoua$2,189.79 Raised$2,500.00 Goal |
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| 3 |
View fundraiser page for Miriam
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Miriam Hellinga$1,755.43 Raised$2,000.00 Goal |
Event schedule
- Fri., February 8, 2019 4:00 p.m. - Mandatory in-person registration and gear check (The Accelerator Centre, Waterloo) Opens
- Fri., February 8, 2019 7:00 p.m. - Mandatory trekker's meeting for all participants
- Sat., February 9, 2019 6:15 a.m. - Trekkers board bus (Accelerator Centre parking lot)
- Sat., February 9, 2019 7:00 a.m. - The Trek Begins (Walter Bean Trailhead)
Contact information
- Event contact
- Tessa Jennison
- Phone
- +1 226-600-8939
- Website
- Visit website
