FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCTOBER 22, 2003

Youth Conduct Maintenance Hike on East Coast Trail

On Tuesday, October 28th a group of program participants and facilitators from the Murphy Centre will hike a section of the East Coast Trail - specifically, Tinkers Point Path (between Mobile and Tors Cove on the Southern Shore) to provide maintenance where needed. This may involve cutting back bushes, brush, mending wooden sections, clearing debris and general upgrading of the trail. In the case of inclement weather, the hike will take place on Oct. 29th or 30th.

The Murphy Centre is a registered charity that delivers academic, career/employment and life style education programs primarily to young adults. One of the organization's objectives is to build a strong sense of community within the Centre, and then work with participants to transfer this knowledge to their community at large. Participants are encouraged to explore their role in their own communities. The East Coast Trail Maintenance hike is an activity that will connect participants to the larger community. It is through this kind of activity that participants connect with volunteer opportunities, become educated on environmental issues and play an active responsible role in community conservation.

"Volunteer maintenance hikes are a regular feature of managing the Trail," said Executive Director Darlene Scott. "In Spring and Summer 2003 we led 20 maintenance hikes, representing a substantial amount of volunteer time and effort. Combining healthy recreational activity with community service is a winning combination, and having organized youth groups join us annually is a goal of the Association."

The East Coast Trail offers uninterrupted coastal walking and hiking for 220 kilometers from St. John's to Cappahayden. Expansion of the Trail is planned north of St. John's and south to Trepassey over the next two to four years.

For more information, please contact either of the following:

Darlene Scott
Executive Director, East Coast Trail Association
709.738.4453, or eastcoastdarlene@nfld.net

Michelle Myrick
Director of Development & Communications, Murphy Centre
709.757.4713, or development@murphycentre.nf.net