Hike The Trailblaze Challenge To Help Make-A-Wish South Carolina
Whether you're a novice or expert hiker, the Make-A-Wish South Carolina Trailblaze Challenge is a great way to help grant wishes while having a blast on the beautiful Foothills Trail. Make-A-Wish South Carolina hopes to grant more than 160 wishes this year, and you can help them reach that goal by taking on the Trailblaze Challenge.
Learn More About The Trailblaze Challenge
The hike takes place June 5-7 on the Foothills Trail in upstate South Carolina. The entire trail spans 77 miles through the beautiful landscape, but the Make-A-Wish hike covers just a portion. You can choose from a 28.3- or 16.4-mile hike taking place over the course of one day. Participants can check into the nearby hotel on June 5 for a fresh start the following day. After hiking all day on June 6, participants will return to the hotel for the night.
Each participant is asked to raise the minimum amount needed to cover their expenses. In addition to your fundraising goals, Make-A-Wish requests a $100 personal donation at the time of registration. Head to the event website to learn more about fundraising. Make-A-Wish offers helpful fundraising tips and provides each hiker with a personalized fundraising page after they register.
Preparing For The Hike
Even if you're an experienced hiker, you can benefit from the specialized training program and training clinics that Make-A-Wish offers for the challenge. The training program includes a workout calendar and bi-weekly group hikes. Clinics will teach you all you need to know about hiking boots, socks, hydration, nutrition and cross-training. Don't worry if you're a novice hiker – you'll be accompanied by experienced hike leaders and will receive support from Make-A-Wish South Carolina staff.
Hike-Day Details
Accommodations will be at the Holiday Inn and Suites in Lavonia, Ga. for three days and two nights. Hotel check-in begins at 4 p.m. on Friday, June 5. On Friday night, everyone will enjoy a pasta party to load up on carbs for the hike, while being briefed on the hike. Hikers will receive a Trailblaze Challenge t-shirt for the weekend.
With a long day ahead, things have to start off bright and early! On Saturday morning, the day starts with a 3:45 a.m. roll call and breakfast. Transportation to the trail is provided, starting at 4 a.m. The hike begins at 5 a.m. and goes all day. Several locations along the trek will provide support such as first aid, hydration, snacks and encouragement. When the hike is over on Saturday evening, everyone can relax back at the hotel and share trail stories. On Sunday morning, a recognition breakfast will take place at 8 a.m.
Alternative Ways To Support Make-A-Wish South Carolina
The Trailblaze Challenge will be tough, but it's all for a great cause, and it can feel great to challenge yourself! If you're not up for the task yourself, you can support a participant or make a donation to the event on the Trailblaze Challenge website.
Donating a car to Wheels For Wishes benefiting Make-A-Wish South Carolina is another great way to help wishes come true for kids in your community! Our program gives you a tax deduction and offers free towing, but best of all, helps grant wishes in places like Columbia, Charleston, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, and everywhere else in the state.
Donate a car today using our online car donation form or by calling 1-855-278-9474. Each and every donation makes a difference in the lives of children facing critical illnesses.
