Our Events
Use the calendar below to find out more about all of our upcoming events. If you click on the filter button, you can filter by what type of events you're interested in.
Below that there is a "Know Before You Go" section that goes over what you can expect when attending a Highlanders Chapter event!
Villages Hiking Group
Know Before You Go!
A Membership Meeting
The Highlanders meet at Leesburg Library, 100 E. Main Street, Leesburg at 5:00 pm on the 3rd Thursday of January, February, March, April, May, September, October and November. We welcome members to bring light snacks and refreshments which are to be enjoyed by all in attendance. As members and guests arrive, you will be greeted by those hosting the event, sign in, and then grab a seat. Our Chapter Chair will call the meeting to order shortly after that by giving brief chapter updates and allowing other chapter leadership to share any news. Then there is a break to grab snacks and talk amongst members before the main program of the night starts. The programming varies month-to-month but usually surrounds outdoor recreation (local wildlife, native plants, backpacking, cycling, etc.). To find out what programming will be taking place at the next meeting, you can typically find that information in our bi-monthly newsletters or on our website's Events page. Meetings typically wrap up by 6:30pm to 7:00pm.
A Highlander's Hosted Event
Events vary drastically depending on the type of event being hosted - and we host a lot! Highlander Activity Leaders plan, coordinate, and lead these events throughout the year. They act as the point of contact for the event they're leading and are the responsible party while leading it. Most activities take place out on the trail where a group meets at a particular location or trail head, the activity leader reviews the game plan for the day, and off you go! Activities are typically a laid back ways to meet other like-minded outdoor enthusiasts and enjoy some time in beautiful Florida nature. Outside of hiking, we also host bicycling, kayaking, walking, and social events!
Trail Maintenance
Trail Maintenance is typically scheduled months in advance by our Trail Coordinator and other trail leaders. Our chapter works to maintain over 57 miles of trail each season and our maintenance season runs from September through March. If you decide to attend a trail maintenance event, please be sure to RSVP to our trail coordinator or whoever is listed as leading it - that way they can account for you and the equipment they'll need to bring. Maintenance can vary depending on the section of trail being worked on but always starts with meeting up with the group, signing in and going through a safety rundown and gameplan for the day. If it's a small group, everyone may stick together. If it's a larger group, it may be divided up into smaller groups to divide and conquer the work. Maintenance includes lopping overhanging branches and placing them off the trail, using mowers/brush hogs to clear grasses and small growing plants on the trail, picking up litter, and at times blazing the trail (painting/repainting trail markers). There are also certified sawyers who cut large limbs with chain saws while the rest of the team helps to remove large logs away from the trail. Aside from the chainsaw work, you can choose to do whatever work you're comfortable with doing. Be sure to bring the following: hat, gloves, snacks, sun-screen, hand sanitizer, bug repellent, etc. and lots of water (must carry at least two quarts of water).
We welcome those who are new to trail maintenance but would like to learn and could always use new volunteers!
