Affiliates
The Florida Trail Association does a commendable job of maintaining the Florida Trail. Yes, not all sections are up to standard at all times, but that’s understandable since parts of the state can be difficult to marshal trail crews where membership is thin.
The Florida Trail is a 1500-mile footpath that begins at the Oasis Visitor Center in Big Cypress National Preserve and ends at Gulf Islands National Seashore. About one thousand miles of it have been built.
HikaNation was a 14-month cross-country backpacking trip starting at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California on April 12, 1980, and ending at Cape Henlopen, Delaware on May 27, 1981 after traversing over 4,286 miles and passing through 14 states and Washington, D.C.
Purposes for the hike included highlighting the need for more hiking trails across America and promoting hiking as a low-energy-consumption form of recreation.
Big City Mountaineers transforms the lives of under-served urban youth through wilderness mentoring expeditions that instill critical life skills. We partner with community-based youth organizations and caring adult volunteers who act as mentors in the field to help young people realize their potential. Our curriculum improves integrity, self- esteem, responsibility, decision-making abilities and communication skills in close to 1,000 youth annually. BCM has a proven track record of improving young peoples’ lives with:
• Increased likeliness to stay in school
• Reduction in violence
• Reduction in drug use
Florida is different. Stretching 1,400 miles from the edge of the Everglades to Pensacola Beach, the Florida Trail is one of only 11 National Scenic Trails across America. It starts in a swamp, and ends on a beach. What you’ll see in between will give you a new appreciation for natural Florida. Join us for a workshop near you to see what our state’s longest trail has to offer and to get your questions answered. We wrote the book!