FAQ

What is the Trailblaze Challenge?
The Trailblaze Challenge is a 28 mile hike and a training program that takes place from January through June, to help prepare participants to tackle 28 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail in one amazing day! It's not a race. It's a journey. In this program, there are no winners or losers. Our goal is to bring people together to build community and support families who are faced with the harsh realities of critical illnesses. When you take your first step on your journey as a Trailblazer, you are paving the way for a brighter tomorrow for children right here in your community.

The program is open to participants of all levels, from novice to advanced outdoor enthusiasts. All hikers must be 16 years of age or older. Hikers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a guardian/registered TBCSD participant at all times.

What's included in my hike experience?

  • Specialized training program including a workout calendar and weekly group hikes
  • Training Clinics: hiking boots, socks and other trail essentials, hydration and nutrition and cross training
  • Support and coaching from experienced hikers and staff
  • Hotel accommodations at The Lodge on hike weekend in (3-days/2-nights)
  • Trailblaze Challenge shirt for hike weekend
  • Trailblaze Challenge bandana for training hikes & hike weekend
  • Transportation to and from the trail on hike day
  • Friday night pasta party to carb load before the big day
  • Trail support at multiple locations throughout your journey, including hydration, snacks, first aid and encouragement
  • Saturday evening post-hike celebration to share trail stories
  • Sunday post-hike victory breakfast before heading home
  • Inspiration through Make-A-Wish wish stories and interactions with wish families

Is there a fee to participate?
Each trailblazer will be asked to raise a minimum amount of funds to cover their expenses and to help Make-A-Wish continue its mission to grant the wishes of children with critical illnesses. A $100 personal donation is requested at the time of registration and will be credited toward your overall fundraising goal. 

How to I utilize Matching Gifts from companies?
Double your donation! Many companies will match tax-deductible donations made to charitable organizations. Ask local businesses if they will match your donation to Make-A-Wish and encourage others to do the same. Pro-tip: Ask your company about matching donations early, as they take a couple of months to process.

Are pets allowed?
Pets are not allowed on the trail during scheduled training hikes or hike weekend.

Can I bring friends and/or family?
Friends and children are not permitted on training hikes. Hike leaders are there to support registered participants only. During hike weekend, friends and family are permitted (and encouraged) to cheer you on at the halfway point and the finish line. However, unregistered visitors cannot join you on the trail.

How will I reach my goals?
Make-A-Wish will support hike participants each step of the way by providing each participant with a personalized fundraising webpage, as well as sponsorship and fundraising materials, tips and advice. Each Trailblazer will be provided with a specialized training program and will be invited to attend weekly group training sessions and informal meet-ups.

Is my information secure?
Yes. We use industry-standard SSL encryption techniques to make sure that your credit card information, passwords, and personal information travel securely over the Internet. There is an encryption engine on our database server so that your data is securely stored.

How is credit card information handled?
Credit card information is not stored in our database. During the donation process, we send donor credit card information to an online processing terminal using a secure connection. The information passed back is an approval or denial of the credit card donation.

I forgot my Username and Password. How can I find out what they are?
Remember that your username and password are case sensitive. Click here to find your password. You will receive separate emails with your username and password.

How can I see who has donated to me?
Go to the Login section on the site. Enter the Username and Password that you used when you registered for the event. In your Participant Center, click on "View Progress". You will see Donor Name and dollar amounts in the Donation History section.

How can I view my team's activity?
Log in to the site using your username and password, and then click on the ‘My Team’ tab. This will allow you to view your team roster and the amounts raised by each team member.

What do I do with check or cash donations that I receive?
Turn your check or cash donations in to your local event coordinator at your local chapter office. They will add it into the system and count it towards your fundraising goal. Make sure to print out the Mail In donation form and include it with your cash or check donations.

The Mail In Donation Form can be located by first clicking “donate” on your supporter page and then at the top of the page, you’ll click on “download a printable donation form”.

All of my donors are not showing up on the scroll mechanism. Why?
As your supporters donate to you or your team, they have the option to make their name visible or anonymous in the scroll. Please contact with questions.

How does utilize the contributions?
To get more information on how uses contributions, please visit our website at .

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