Volunteer Spotlight: Bill Barrett

Sometimes volunteering begins with a big decision. And sometimes, it starts with noticing someone in a vest and asking a simple question.

That’s how Bill found Trips For Kids Ottawa.

After spotting a TFKO volunteer following a ride in Stittsville, Bill struck up a conversation. He learned about the organization, about Cat’s commitment to kids, and later found his way to our website. Newly retired after a career as a teacher and principal, Bill had been supporting a summer camp that had come to an end — and he was looking for something new.

Being active, being outdoors, and supporting young people all mattered to him. So did the idea of creating access — giving kids the chance to try something they might not otherwise experience.

“I know the value of being part of something,” Bill shares. “Especially for kids who may not always get that chance at home or in a regular school setting.”

One of Bill’s most memorable moments came on his very first day volunteering at an after-school cycling program. Cat asked him to help while she taught a brand-new rider how to bike — step by step, with intention and skill. Pedals off. Walking. Braking. Coasting. Pedals back on.

Then Cat stepped away.

For the next half hour, Bill ran alongside the rider as she pedalled farther and farther on her own — sometimes wobbling, sometimes falling, often laughing. When the rest of the group returned, her friends surrounded her, cheering as she proudly rode around the schoolyard.

“She learned to ride a bike in that hour,” Bill says. “And I was a small part of that.”

What stayed with him wasn’t just the joy of the moment, but a deeper appreciation for the work behind it.

“It wasn’t just being nice to kids. These kids were being challenged and taught to learn new skills.”

What keeps Bill coming back is the energy. The laughter. The one-on-one moments — sometimes between a volunteer and a youth, sometimes peer to peer — where someone helps another person work through something hard.

He’s also clear about something many people overlook about teenagers:

“If you let go of your expectations and meet the youth where they are, it can be wonderful.”

Beyond leading rides and skating sessions, Bill has recently stepped up to help chair board meetings and support the organization as we work through long-term planning. It’s another way he brings calm leadership, lived experience, and a willingness to listen — always in service of the bigger picture.

When asked what he’d say to someone thinking about volunteering, Bill keeps it simple:

“Come and see.”

Trips For Kids Ottawa may not be for everyone — but if you enjoy teens, movement, and being outside, you’ll find a well-run organization with strong leadership and deeply committed volunteers. And while volunteering is about what you give, Bill is honest about the unexpected gifts that come back.

His skating has improved. His biking confidence has grown. And he’s still learning.

“You don’t volunteer because of what you get out of it,” he says. “But you will get something out of it.”

How You Can Be Part of This

Stories like Bill’s don’t happen by accident. They happen because people show up — with time, care, and generosity.

If you’re feeling curious, we invite you to consider volunteering with Trips For Kids Ottawa. And if volunteering isn’t possible right now, a donation helps us provide bikes, skates, equipment, and skilled leaders so more youth can experience confidence, belonging, and joy outdoors.

Every form of support matters. Every contribution helps create moments like these.

Smiles!

Bill learning a new skill

One to one