Kamloops Hiking Club began in 2001 when Katherine Roberts started a local meet-up group for families interested in hiking, backpacking, and camping together. In the early years, the club promoted outings through posters in outdoor stores and on community bulletin boards, and some of the first contact numbers were pager numbers. In 2007, the club joined Facebook, making it easier for members to sign up for events and access hike details. By 2011, the Facebook group had grown to more than 100 members, with many participating in over 60 hikes and trips each season. In 2012, under the leadership of the club’s first president, Doug Smith, Kamloops Hiking Club incorporated as a non-profit society. Within a year, the club had 100 official members and a new website designed and managed by Doug Smith. By 2013, KHC was offering more than 200 events each year for nearly 150 members, including hiking, backpacking, biking, kayaking, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, out-of-town trips, seminars, potlucks, and social events. The club also began supporting community initiatives such as Walk for Wildlife, World Rivers Day, and local trail building. By 2016, KHC had grown to 250 members, 13 board members, more than a dozen volunteer leaders, and over 300 events per year.
Past & Present Programs
- AGM/Social – held in April each year
- Train and Trade – event to share gear ideas and sell or trade gear among members
- Hike for Wildlife – in support of the WWF; a hike and fund-raiser
- WildSafeBC – programs on staying safe in the backcountry
- Adopt a Trail – twice a year; Valleyview Nature Park
- Camp and Hikes – base camp with hiking
- Backpacking – hiking with overhight back country camping
- Kamloops Thompson Trails Alliance (membership, support, work parties)
- Potluck Socials
- Seminars and workshops
- Winter – On the Snow Events
- Snowshoeing events
- Kayaking on local rivers and lakes
- Biking on trails