Skip to content

What we’re about

Welcome to the Heart of Carolina Hiking Group (formerly Johnston County Hiking and Outing Group). If you are looking for an active group that enjoys hiking, biking, outdoor activities mixed with a little adventure, then look no more! The group is open to anyone 18 years of age or older.  Before joining, please be sure to read and be prepared to follow the rules and policies of the group.

Membership, Personal Conduct & Leave No Trace

  • Your profile must have your name and a CLEAR, RECOGNIZABLE, CLOSEUP photo of JUST YOU before being approved into this group. Please be sure there are no items blocking your face (ie, sunglasses, masks, low brimmed hats etc).
  • Tolerance and inclusiveness – if you can have the conversation then do – if you cannot then don’t. All members are welcome and wanted.
  • Conduct Policy: Be respectful of member’s personal boundaries and privacy. All members will be treated with respect without fear of threatening or harassing behavior of any kind, sexual or otherwise. Such behavior should be immediately reported to the group leader. This type of behavior will result in immediate expulsion from the group.
  • Member Roster - The member roster will be updated each quarter to keep active members status up to date. If a member has not visited the group page in 6 months they will receive a message that their name is being removed. However, a member is always welcome to rejoin at any time.
  • Leave No Trace - Our hikes are Leave No Trace. Leave nothing behind but your footprints. Take nothing but memories and pictures. Everything you bring with you should be carried back out, including banana peels, orange peels, pistachio shells, etc. Deposit them in the nearest trash can. Other hikers do not want to see our trash.
  • There will be times when for the safety or overall well-being of the group that the decision is made to ban a member. This is not something that is taken lightly. However, it will be done if behavior is witnessed or confirmed that is deemed detrimental to our members’ safety. Banned members are not permitted to be a guest on any group activities.

Illness and Covid Policy

  • Illness Policy – Please refrain from attending hikes if you are sick or recovering or have symptoms from anything that has the potential to be contagious to other members – EX., COVID, Flu, Cold etc.
  • COVID-19 Policy - If you have Covid-19 symptoms or have tested positive please refrain from attending any hikes for at least 2 weeks and your symptoms have resolved. If you have been in close contact with someone who is infected or exposed, please do not attend any activities until you have been cleared.

Sign-ups, Waitlist, Late Cancellations and N0-Shows

  • When an event is posted, you will receive a notice from Meetup so you can go view the event details.  You will also be able to see when the RSVP signup opens to everyone for the event.
  • If you RSVP that you are attending an event, please be polite and show up.
  • If you find you cannot attend an event when you are signed up, you must change your RSVP for that event to Not Going at least 24 hours for regular events and 48 hours for special events before the start time of the event.  At times there may be mitigating circumstances that do not allow for a 24 hour notice which is understandable.  However, these should be the exception and not the norm. Failure to change a RSVP will result in a member being flagged with a No Show.  If a member accumulates 3 No Shows, that member will be removed from the group.
  • If you are on the Waitlist, Meetup will notify you if an opening becomes available.  If you find that you are not able to attend the event when your opening becomes available, please change your RSVP as soon as possible.  Sometimes the Waitlist notification maybe less than 24 hours and an exception are made for this.

Dogs & Miscellaneous

  • Dogs are welcome on most hikes unless otherwise specified. They must be people friendly and calm around other dogs. For the safety of the group please be sure your dogs are up-to-date on all shots and be sure to have your rabies tag on your dog at all times. Also please be sure to bring bags to clean up after your dog. Use leashes no longer than 6 feet in length.
  • Not all events will be open to dogs or children. Those that are kid- and/or dog-friendly will be clearly identified.
  • Some events may have costs associated with them. These will be clearly indicated on the event description.

Liability Waiver
Participation in any activity with the Heart of Carolina Hiking Group is at your own risk. To the fullest extent allowed by law, you waive any claims against, and agree to indemnify and hold harmless Heart of Carolina Hiking, it's organizers, affiliates, employees, officers, directors, and contractors, from all claims of liability of every type (including court costs and legal fees) for injury or death to any person or for damage to property arising out of or relating to your participation as a member. This agreement applies to you and any other party who may accompany you in these endeavors.