Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun! Halloween Moonlight Hike (Fri, October 30, 2026)

Fri, 30 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Regarding COVID-19: Please review our full COVID-19 policy and safety practices here.

PLEASE READ THE REQUIREMENTS AND ALL DETAILS BELOW PRIOR TO REGISTRATION

DEADLINE TO REGISTER: BY MIDNIGHT, ONE DAY BEFORE THE EVENT (Oct 29)

Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun! Immerse yourself in the magic of spooky season with our Backcountry Women Halloween Moonlight Hike! Join a community of adventurous women as we explore the beautiful and slightly eerie Cedar Bog trail under the light of the moon on Halloween night. This is your chance to turn a hike into a thrilling, festive experience—it's sure to be a scream!

Event Highlights:

Costume Contest: Come dressed up (safely!) and show off your creativity! We'll have a prize for the participant voted Best Dressed.
Treats: Enjoy some Halloween candy along the trail.
Community: Connect with other women who love the outdoors while enjoying a unique night adventure.

A Note on Costumes:

Safety First: Remember to dress warmly and appropriately for the weather and trail conditions under your costume. Your costume must not impede your movement or visibility.
Respect & Appropriateness: Please keep costumes appropriate and respectful. To ensure an inclusive environment for all, costumes that appropriate another culture are strictly not allowed.

We require that everyone carry their own light source, whether a headlamp or flashlight (mandatory).

If you wish to carpool to this event, please see details under the carpools section below.

Event Leader: Ashley Moore, Founder of Backcountry Women.

Arrival Time: By 6:00pm. We will begin the hike no later than 6:15pm. The time arranged allows for you to have time to attend to personal needs such as organizing your gear and for the leader to share information with the group.

Location: Cedar Bog Trail. Exact meeting location will be shared with registered participants.

In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work, and play on the ancestral lands of the Ininiw, Anishinaabe, and Dakota Nations, and the homeland of the Metis Nation. Our organization, Backcountry Women, is based on Treaty No. 1 Territory, and we appreciate that this event takes place on Treaty No 1. Territory.

Overall Difficulty Rating: Due to the factors mentioned below, this activity is rated a 1/5.

This rating is subject to change based on prevailing conditions at the time of the activity, including but not limited to weather.

Activity Category: Full Moon Series (special series)
Duration/Distance: Approximately 4 km or 1.5 hours of hiking.
Experience: All skill levels welcome. You should have the ability to walk with the group at a moderate, steady pace for the duration of the activity. Appropriate footwear and layered clothing is required.
Terrain: The trail is mostly flat with boardwalks, grass or dirt surfaces. It may be ice or snow covered at this time of year.

Pace: This activity will be at a steady, moderate pace.

Please leave dogs at home.

Carpools: If you are interested in carpooling to this event, please go to the dedicated Chat on Facebook for Backcountry Women Carpooling. NOTE: The Carpool Chat Guidelines are displayed as a Featured Post in the Backcountry Women - Community Forum Facebook group for your convenience, as well as a Pinned Post in the Chat. Please be sure you are familiar with the guidelines prior to use of this chat!

Further details will be provided to registered participants. Participants are responsible for having a valid e-mail address, communicating with the event organizer regarding any changes in attendance, and for checking e-mail prior to an event.

Registering for this event secures you a spot and fees are non-refundable and no credits will be issued, unless under exceptional circumstances. If you are no longer able to attend, please see our Cancellation Policy.

OCC Field Leader Hiking Certification Course (Sat, November 21, 2026)

Sat, 21 Nov 2026 14:30:00 GMT

DEADLINE TO REGISTER: BY MIDNIGHT, 2 DAYS BEFORE THE EVENT (Nov 19)

PLEASE READ THE REQUIREMENTS AND ALL DETAILS BELOW PRIOR TO REGISTRATION

OCC Course: Level Up Your Leadership with Backcountry Women

At Backcountry Women, we believe that "knowledge is power." We are thrilled to host the Outdoor Council of Canada’s Field Leader (Hiking) certification—a 16-hour, two-day intensive course designed to turn experienced hikers into confident outdoor leaders.

Why Take This Course?

This isn’t just about trail navigation; it’s about the "human" side of leadership. You will learn the systematic "Event Cycle" used by professionals across Canada to plan, manage, and execute safe, meaningful outdoor experiences. Whether you are looking to lead for a club, a school, or simply want to ensure your own friends and family are in good hands, this certification provides the peace of mind that you are using industry-accepted practices.

What You’ll Learn:

Visioning & Planning: How to design a hike that matches your participants' needs and abilities.
Risk Management: Identification and mitigation of hazards before they become problems.
Mindful Leadership: Strategies for group management, effective communication, and creating an inclusive environment.
The Event Cycle: A step-by-step framework for pre-trip planning, last-minute checks, and post-trip debriefing.

Course Schedule:

Day 1 (Classroom): Diving into the OCC manual, theory, and the systematic approach to leadership.
Day 2 (Field): Putting theory into practice on the trails! You’ll practice leading, decision-making, and managing real-world scenarios in a supportive, judgement-free environment.

Who is this for?

This course is perfect for any woman or marginalized gender (age 18 +) who has some hiking experience and a passion for sharing the outdoors with others. You should be comfortable hiking on trails with roots/rocks while carrying a day pack.

Prerequisites: 18+ years old, some hiking experience, and completion of pre-course reading (manual provided).

What’s Included:

National OCC Field Leader (Hiking) Certification (upon successful completion).
A one-year membership to the Outdoor Council of Canada.
The OCC Field Leader Student Manual (digital copy, you must print your own).
Instruction from two certified OCC Instructors, Ashley and Joanne, in a supportive community setting.

Join us on November 21-22 and gain the confidence to lead the way!

Dates: Nov 21-22, 2026
Duration: 2 Days (approx. 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
Location: Exact location details will be provided via email closer to the course date. Further instructions, important information, and a course packing list will be emailed out to participants. Check your confirmation and reminder emails.
What to Bring: Standard day-hiking gear, lunch/snacks, and your "growth mindset"!
Please come prepared to participate fully, and hike a short distance during the course.

Contact us with any questions or to learn more. We look forward to supporting your outdoor leadership!

This event allows cancellation no less than 8 days before start of event. If you are no longer able to attend, please see our Cancellation Policy.

Backcountry Women upcoming events

Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun! Halloween Moonlight Hike (Fri, October 30, 2026)

OCC Field Leader Hiking Certification Course (Sat, November 21, 2026)