Out here, kids with congenital heart disease get to be hikers first.
Orientation Hike — Saturday, December 5, 2026
Come walk with us, meet the leaders, and decide whether TeamJoe is right for your family. The hike will last approximately 1–2 hours, followed by an informal gathering at the trailhead with food and refreshments.
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026
Time: To be announced
Location: To be announced
Cost: Free
Commitment: None required to attend
If your child is 10–14 years old, lives with congenital heart disease, and has had at least one open-heart surgery, please express interest. We'll send the time and location as soon as they are confirmed. <See full eligibility requirements.>
Who Is Eligible?
TeamJoe hikers must be ages 10–14, live with congenital heart disease, and have undergone at least one open-heart surgery. Participants must receive medical clearance from both their primary care physician and cardiologist. At least one parent or guardian must accompany each child. Siblings may join the hikes with their parent or guardian. The inaugural team is limited to five or six hikers, so expressing interest does not guarantee a place. We'll reach out to every family that expresses interest and talk through whether TeamJoe is a good fit.
About TeamJoe
TeamJoe is a hiking program created for children ages 10–14 living with congenital heart disease (CHD). The program is led by experienced hiking leaders and supported by volunteer medical professionals. The inaugural team will include five or six young hikers and their families. Along the way, they can test what they can do and get to know kids with similar experiences. There is no fee for children or their families to participate in TeamJoe.
Proposed Hiking Schedule – 2027
TeamJoe's inaugural season will include four core hikes, two in the spring and two in the fall, along with two optional summer hikes. The routes will gradually increase in distance and elevation, and the season will end with a milestone hike that celebrates how far the team has come.
Families joining TeamJoe should plan to attend all four core hikes and are encouraged to join the optional summer hikes. If a family cannot attend a scheduled core hike, they should let us know as soon as possible.
We'll share the dates, trail locations, meeting details, and what to bring as soon as they're set.
Get Involved
Families
Start with the free December 5 orientation hike. Meet the team, ask questions, and learn what joining the inaugural season involves.
Express Interest in the Orientation Hike
Hiking Volunteers
Tell us about your hiking experience and when you're available. We'll be in touch about where you can help.
Express Interest as a Hiking Leader
Medical Volunteers
Tell us about your medical background and when you're available. We'll be in touch about the role and what it involves.
Express Interest in Medical Support
Supporters
TeamJoe is free for families because supporters help make it happen. Your gift, equipment donation, or partnership helps five or six young hikers and their families get outdoors in our inaugural season.
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<Donate equipment>
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<Explore a community partnership>
The Spirit of TeamJoe
Unique Journeys – Shared Trails
No two TeamJoe hikers have the same story. Their diagnoses and surgeries are different, but they know what it means to grow up with CHD. On the trail, they can cheer one another on and spend time with kids who understand.
Who's Joe?
Joe Abate is the inspiration behind the JoeAbate Charitable Foundation and TeamJoe. Born with a ventricular septal defect (VSD), he had heart surgery at six days old and spent his first 30 days in the NICU. He lived a full life marked by resilience, generosity, and a deep love for family and community until his passing in 2020. His wife, Meghan, founded the Foundation in his memory to support children living with congenital heart disease and their families. She calls him her "Joe of all trades."
TeamJoe grew out of CT Heart Camp, where children with CHD spend time outdoors together, with medical support available. TeamJoe was created to carry that sense of connection and adventure beyond one week of summer camp, giving families a reason to meet on the trail throughout the year.
We'd love to meet you on the trail.