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The Peachtree City Ladies Hiking Club was born out of the necessity of its founder, Heidi Becker, who was looking to find ladies who love and appreciate the great outdoors like she does. Heidi is an avid walker and hiker and has logged hundreds of miles on the paths in her hometown of Peachtree City.
In October of 2024, Heidi posted on Facebook, looking for a hiking club in Peachtree City. Finding there wasn’t one, Heidi started a Facebook page hoping to find a handful of like-minded adventurers willing to hike with her. Overnight, there were more than eight hundred responses! Since October, over 1,500 have signed up to participate in this active group of women on the move. Collectively, over 200 miles have been logged.
According to member, Indie Ward Smith, the “PTC Hiking Club has brought hiking back to life for me. It is a way to meet all these wonderful ladies who also love the great outdoors. I have crossed paths with people I would not have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. I have found new trails to traverse.” Indie is truly grateful for Heidi and her commitment to the success of the club.
Amber Green Scameheorn shares, “As an avid hiker that is relatively new to Georgia, there were so many trails I wanted to explore – but for safety reasons, I never hike alone. The Peachtree City Hiking Club has made it easy to not only get out and hit the trails but make new friends in the process. I’m so thankful for it.”
Laura Byerly says, “I just moved to PTC and joined to meet new friends… We are all different ages with different skills and everyone is welcome.”
Peachtree City Mayor Kim Learnard, who is a member and regular attendee of club events comments, “What a great way to connect the community!”
Club Founder, Heidi Becker, has a record for being an advocate for women. She has served as vice president of the Council for Domestic Violence and has been president of various women’s groups. Heidi shares, “I love to see women doing something mentally and physically healthy for themselves. In a world full of social media, we need more face-to-face connections. One member recently told me that the hiking club was the best thing that has happened for her since moving here 20 years ago. This club has definitely met a need in our community. I had no idea it would be so impactful or would mean so much to so many.”
Since its inception this group has evolved! These ladies are indeed hiking, but they also meet for yoga, take hiking trips to various places such as the Len Foote Hike Inn, and meet to connect for educational events with guest speakers and for socials! This club has a relaxed format. Any member can plan a hiking event, post it on the Facebook page, and whoever can make it, shows up! This group is civic minded and gives back to our community by participating in clean ups on the paths and supporting local charities through their t-shirt sales. They also collaborate with other groups like the Southern Conservation Trust and Southside Cycling Club.
The benefits of communing with nature, movement, and socialization are proven. Who wants to sign up to improve your mental, physical and emotional well-being? The Peachtree City Hiking Club is free to join, well organized, and improves the quality of life for those who participate, so get out there and commune with nature and one another!
For more info and upcoming events, join the Facebook page, Peachtree City Ladies Hiking Club.
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