COTS Walk

About the Walk

Founded in 1988, the COTS Walk is one of our oldest and most important peer-to-peer fundraisers. Every year around 2,000 walkers of all ages from businesses, schools, religious organizations, and neighborhoods come together from all over the region to participate. The Walk begins and ends in Battery Park with music, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, and fun activities.

This family-friendly event guides Walkers along a 3.6-mile route through downtown Burlington visiting some of the shelters and facilities that COTS operates. At this event, COTS seeks to illustrate the path a person experiencing homelessness might take when utilizing COTS services to educate our community about homelessness in our region. Bring your friends, family, coworkers, dogs, and strollers…All are welcome! For more information, read or print our Walker Packet.

2023 Walker Packet

Participants carrying a COTS banner during the 2023 COTS Walk down Church Street in Burlington, Vermont.

Save the Date!

The 2023 Walk is over but come back later this year to check for 2024 dates!

When: First Sunday of May

Where: Battery Park

Registration: begins at 1pm

Walk time: begins at 2pm

Who Walks?

About 2,000 walkers of all ages, from businesses, schools, social and religious organizations, and neighborhoods come together from all over the region to participate in the annual COTS Walk.

Why Walk?

  • To raise public awareness about homelessness in our community and to raise money.
  • To support COTS shelters and services for Vermonters who are homeless or are at risk of losing their homes.

Walk Map

COTS Walk Route Map

COTS Walk Route Stops

Walk Prizes

Youth (12 & under) who raise $75
Walk T-shirt

Adults who raise $150
Walk T-shirt

Challenge Walkers (raise $1000)
Pair of Darn Tough Socks & COTS Walk Bandana

Challenge Teams (raise $2500 or more)
COTS Walk Bandana

Top School Team
Leonardo's pizza party

Top Business Team
Switchback Brewery social hour

Top Faith Team
Lake Champlain Chocolates ice cream party

All Registered Walkers
Entered to win a Cabot cheese gift box

All Registered Walkers
Entered to win a skincare gift basket from Twincraft

All Registered Walkers
Entered to win a family day pass to Shelburne Museum

How to Register

How to Fundraise

2023 Sponsors

Baystate Financial
Community National Bank
Downs Rachlin Martin
Hallam-ICS
NBT Bank
Summit Properties
Timberlane Dental Group

This year a personal donation towards your walk of $25 or more will enter you a chance to win a 2 – 4 night stay at the luxury home, Historic Rideout House, outside Okemo Mountain. This big house can accommodate a large group (sleeps 9 – 16) and this giveaway can be booked in either September 2023 or April/May 2024. Don’t miss out on this $2,425 value! This raffle prize was generously donated by Vermont Short-Term Rental Alliance, courtesy of Vermont Escapes.