KTA Service Awards:
Send all service award nominations to Barbara Wiemann, Awards Committee chair, at [email protected] by November 1, 2025.
The KTA Club of the Year Award honors a club for excelling in one or more of the following areas during the previous 12-18 months.
The KTA Citation Award for Lifetime Achievement is presented to a person who has, over a period of years (not necessarily their entire lifetime), made significant contributions to the preservation of hiking trails and promoting hiking in Pennsylvania. Service may be in the form of volunteer efforts, publications, field work, or any other pursuit that has furthered the mission of the KTA. The nomination should include the name of the nominee, the approximate length of the person’s service to KTA's mission, and a brief description of the individual’s contributions.
The Thyra Sperry Volunteer of the Year Award goes to a KTA member whose recent service to KTA's mission, especially in the preceding year, is most worthy of recognition. It is named in honor of former KTA president Thyra Sperry (d. 2017) and her devoted service to KTA. The nomination should include the name of the nominee, the approximate length of the person’s service to KTA's mission, and a brief description of the individual’s contributions.
Certificates of Achievement can also be awarded based on nominations from KTA member organizations for extraordinary work on projects that benefit hikers and/or trails in Pennsylvania. This award option allows clubs to nominate a volunteer who may not be an individual KTA member. The nomination should be based on recent service, especially in the past year, that serves the hiking public as a whole rather than primarily the members of the member club. The nomination should include the name of the nominee, the approximate length of the person’s service to KTA's mission, and a brief description of the individual’s contributions.
The Leave No Trace Award will recognize a KTA member or volunteer who has superbly integrated Leave No Trace into their trail and hiking activities and excelled at teaching others about the outdoor ethics of Leave No Trace. Individuals to be considered for this award will have: Taken a Leave No Trace workshop to better understand what embodies Leave No Trace, built Leave No Trace practices into their trail and hiking activities (examples include discussing how a group will follow the Seven Principles on a group hike or Trail Care event, planning a social event with zero single use plastic as part of the objective, or including Leave No Trace messaging when posting online,) left public spaces better than they found them by picking up trash during hikes and outdoor activities and taught others what they know about Leave No Trace in formal or informal settings.
Send all nominations to Barbara Wiemann, Awards Committee chair, at [email protected] by November 1, 2025.
- Hiking Promotion: How does your club promote hiking and foot trail use, through old and new media? In what ways is your club spreading the joys of hiking?
- Trail Work: What is your club doing to build, maintain, and promote hiking trails?
- Inclusion: What efforts does your club make to include people of different age groups, foot trail user groups, backgrounds, abilities, racial groups and ethnicities?
- Philanthropy: What charitable efforts does your club make within its community? What accomplishments has your club made to benefit the broader community?
- A statement that tells us what makes your club so awesome and why you should be the Club of the Year.
- A maximum of 2 documents that support your application. This could include anything from an informational one-sheet to a video.
The KTA Citation Award for Lifetime Achievement is presented to a person who has, over a period of years (not necessarily their entire lifetime), made significant contributions to the preservation of hiking trails and promoting hiking in Pennsylvania. Service may be in the form of volunteer efforts, publications, field work, or any other pursuit that has furthered the mission of the KTA. The nomination should include the name of the nominee, the approximate length of the person’s service to KTA's mission, and a brief description of the individual’s contributions.
The Thyra Sperry Volunteer of the Year Award goes to a KTA member whose recent service to KTA's mission, especially in the preceding year, is most worthy of recognition. It is named in honor of former KTA president Thyra Sperry (d. 2017) and her devoted service to KTA. The nomination should include the name of the nominee, the approximate length of the person’s service to KTA's mission, and a brief description of the individual’s contributions.
Certificates of Achievement can also be awarded based on nominations from KTA member organizations for extraordinary work on projects that benefit hikers and/or trails in Pennsylvania. This award option allows clubs to nominate a volunteer who may not be an individual KTA member. The nomination should be based on recent service, especially in the past year, that serves the hiking public as a whole rather than primarily the members of the member club. The nomination should include the name of the nominee, the approximate length of the person’s service to KTA's mission, and a brief description of the individual’s contributions.
The Leave No Trace Award will recognize a KTA member or volunteer who has superbly integrated Leave No Trace into their trail and hiking activities and excelled at teaching others about the outdoor ethics of Leave No Trace. Individuals to be considered for this award will have: Taken a Leave No Trace workshop to better understand what embodies Leave No Trace, built Leave No Trace practices into their trail and hiking activities (examples include discussing how a group will follow the Seven Principles on a group hike or Trail Care event, planning a social event with zero single use plastic as part of the objective, or including Leave No Trace messaging when posting online,) left public spaces better than they found them by picking up trash during hikes and outdoor activities and taught others what they know about Leave No Trace in formal or informal settings.
Send all nominations to Barbara Wiemann, Awards Committee chair, at [email protected] by November 1, 2025.
Keystone Trails Association Annual Hiking Awards
The KTA Hiking Awards honor individuals with a passion for exploring the wealth of incredible hiking trails that Pennsylvania has to offer. We believe dedicated hikers should be recognized for their achievements. Download the Application Form / Brochure to get started today! Direct applications and any questions to Casey Schneck at [email protected].
AWARD DETAILS AND REQUIREMENTS
The KTA Hiking Awards honor individuals with a passion for exploring the wealth of incredible hiking trails that Pennsylvania has to offer. We believe dedicated hikers should be recognized for their achievements. Download the Application Form / Brochure to get started today! Direct applications and any questions to Casey Schneck at [email protected].
AWARD DETAILS AND REQUIREMENTS
- Appalachian Trail Award - Applicant must have hiked the entire Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania.
- Merit Award - Applicant must have hiked the entire Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania plus 200 or more miles on any other Pennsylvania Trails.
- Merit II Award - Applicant must have hiked all of the Appalachian Trail between the Hudson River and the Potomac River plus 200 or more miles on other Pennsylvania trails in addition to those used for the Merit Award.
- Pennsylvania Award - Applicant must have earned the Eastern and Western Pennsylvania Awards plus hiked an additional 500 miles of more on any trails in Pennsylvania.
- Eastern Pennsylvania Award - Applicant must have hiked 200 miles or more on any Pennsylvania trails east of the Mid State Trail, which may be counted for either the Eastern or Western Pennsylvania Award.
- Western Pennsylvania Award - Applicant must have hiked 200 miles or more on any Pennsylvania trails west of the Mid State Trail, which may be counted for either the Eastern or Western Pennsylvania Award.
- State Forest Trails Award - Applicant must have hiked all 792 miles of the 18 State Forest Hiking Trails in the PA State Forest system.
- Young Hiker Award - Applicant must be 12 years old or younger and must have hiked at least 25 miles on any trails in Pennsylvania in the current award season. Applicant may receive this award on multiple occasions, but must complete the 25-mile requirement on different trails each year.
- Teen Hiker Award
Applicant must be 13-18 years old and must have hiked at least 50 miles on any trails in Pennsylvania in the current award season. The applicant may receive this award on multiple occasions but must complete the 50 mile requirement on different trails each year.
Application Submission Guidelines
Completed applications should be mailed to:
Keystone Trails Association
46 E. Main St.
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Direct questions to Casey Schneck at [email protected].
- Applications must be received by the first of November of the year in which the award is to be made.
- Awards will be presented at the 2025 KTA Award Reception. Awards not claimed will be mailed to the recipient. Applications received after November 1 will be considered for the subsequent year.
- A trail log showing starting and stopping points on trails and dates hiked must be included with the application. You may not count the same miles hiked for multiple awards. The Young Hiker and State Forest Trails awards are exceptions, you may count those miles toward any other award, once.
- Portions of any trail may be used, you need not complete a trail in its entirety to count your miles hiked.
- For trails that cross state lines, only the miles hiked in Pennsylvania may be counted.
- A separate application must be submitted for each award.
Completed applications should be mailed to:
Keystone Trails Association
46 E. Main St.
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Direct questions to Casey Schneck at [email protected].
A Brief History of the Keystone Trails Association Annual Hiking Awards
In 1961, the Keystone Trails Association (KTA) instituted an annual Hiking Awards Program to recognize those hikers whose enjoyment of Pennsylvania’s trails might serve as an example and inspiration to their peers. Over the years, hundreds of individuals have demonstrated their dedication to hiking and, in no small part, to preservation of trails by applying for and receiving the various KTA awards.
In 2003, three additional awards joined the traditional Appalachian Trail, Merit, Merit II and Western Pennsylvania Awards. Hikers may now apply for the Pennsylvania Award, the Young Hiker Award, and the State Forest Trails Award (cosponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources).
In 1961, the Keystone Trails Association (KTA) instituted an annual Hiking Awards Program to recognize those hikers whose enjoyment of Pennsylvania’s trails might serve as an example and inspiration to their peers. Over the years, hundreds of individuals have demonstrated their dedication to hiking and, in no small part, to preservation of trails by applying for and receiving the various KTA awards.
In 2003, three additional awards joined the traditional Appalachian Trail, Merit, Merit II and Western Pennsylvania Awards. Hikers may now apply for the Pennsylvania Award, the Young Hiker Award, and the State Forest Trails Award (cosponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources).
Past Award Recipients
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KTA Citation Award
2024 Katie Barker 2023 Ingrid Canterella-Fox 2022 Jim Foster 2021 Paul Shaw 2020 John Eastlake 2019 Peter Fleszar 2018 Wanda Shirk 2017 Ed Lawrence 2016 Tom Scully 2015 Joyce Appel 2014 Ralph Seeley 2013 John Stein 2012 Wayne E. Gross 2011 Carl Lorence 2010 Richard L. Carlson 2009 Lorraine Healey 2008 Alfred W. Wiemann 2007 Louis Schultz Jr. 2006 Joseph E. Healey 2005 I.B. Sinclair 2004 Edward J. Beck 2003 Mike Sausser 2002 Barbara Wiemann 2001 Kenneth A. Scott 2000 Roger Lehman 1999 Jean Aron 1998 Hugh S. Downing 1997 Richard J. Tobias 1996 Carol Witzeman 1995 Bob Webber 1994 M.Virginia Musser 1993 Craig C. Dunn 1992 Paul C. Weikel 1991 Jack E. Hickman 1990 Merritt Zimmerman 1989 Thurston Griggs 1988 Thomas Thwaites 1987 Richard R. Thorpe 1986 David Raphael 1985 Malcolm L. White 1984 Wilma S. Flaig 1983 Henry J. Finerfrock 1982 Doris B. Finerfrock 1981 Paul R. Lehman 1980 Mildred Forrester 1979 Ruth Blackburn 1978 Fred Blackburn 1977 Raymond H. Fadner 1976 Col. Lester L. Holmes 1975 Paul Wagner 1975 Sharon Wagner 1974 Ruth A. Bolla 1973 Maurice J. Forrester 1972 Nancy J. Heller 1971 Martin Brillhart 1970 Albert McDonald 1969 Madeline Fleming 1968 Elmer T. Bolla 1967 Mel Brinton 1967 Earl V. Shaffer 1966 George Spring 1966 Jean Stephenson 1965 Richard C. Kimmel 1964 Paul Good 1963 Maurice K. Goddard |
Volunteer of the Year
2024 Krista Cessna 2022 Kristin Joivel 2021 Sherry Ferguson 2020 Robert Merrill 2019 Dennis Hurley 2018 Jenn Ulmer 2017 Mary Ladish 2016 Tom Bastian 2015 Tony Robbins 2014 Deb Dunkle Certificate of Achievement
2024 Wanda Shirk 2022 Tim Bachmann 2022 Tom Scully 2022 Gary Wenczel 2021 Curt, Tawnya, and George Finney 2021 Joseph Kiczek 2021 Bill Erwin and Ben May 2019 Doug Kutz of Lancaster Hiking Club 2018 BATONA Hiking Club’s Appalachian Trail Committee 2016 Tim Bachmann and George Garbarino of SATC (rock step project) Club of the Year
2024 AMC Delaware Valley Chapter 2022 Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club |
