Spaces are still available on teen volunteer trail crews being organized by the Appalachian Mountain Club in the Maine Woods this summer. This new program is for teens looking to get outside, add some volunteer work on their resume, and make a difference for recreationists across the state, this project is for you.
The 10-day trail-building and maintenance programs in Maine’s 100-Mile Wilderness region are open to teens ages 15-18. Participants will help build and maintain a new local trail system that’s open for use by the public, an effort that is part of AMC’s Maine Woods Initiative.
Space is still available for volunteers to join the July 30-Aug. 8 Teen Volunteer Trail Crew and the Aug. 13-22 Teen Volunteer Trail Crew. (As of noon, Thursday, July 5, four spaces were left for July 30-Aug.8 and five spaces were left for Aug. 13-22, according to the AMC website.)
The program fee — $450 for AMC members and $495 for nonmembers — covers instruction, equipment use, leadership, meals, and campsite lodging. Plum Creek Inc. has provided funding for a limited number of scholarships to cover up to 50 percent of the program cost.
For information or to register, visit www.outdoors.org/volunteer. To apply for a scholarship, contact Alex DeLucia atadelucia@outdoors.org or (603) 278-3816. For information on AMC, the Maine Woods Initiative and AMC volunteer programs, visit www.outdoors.org.
Participants will develop skills in trail stewardship while learning about outdoor ethics and building backcountry trails. The work will include clearing brush from the trail, creating rock staircases, building bridges, repairing ski trails, painting blazes and other tasks that will help make the trails traversable. After each day of work, they’ll return to the trails program base camp near the shore of Long Pond. When not working, there will be plenty of time for swimming, playing games and relaxing.
** “With more than 4,000 members in Maine, AMC offers educational programs for children, adults, and families; operates its Maine Wilderness Lodges for the public in the 100-Mile Wilderness region; operates Knubble Bay Camp and Beal Island Campground in Georgetown and Echo Lake Camp in Acadia National Park, and maintains offices in Portland and Greenville.
“Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club is America’s oldest conservation and recreation organization. With more than 100,000 members, advocates, and supporters in the Northeast and beyond, the nonprofit AMC promotes the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the mountains, forests, waters, and trails of the Appalachian region. The AMC supports natural resource conservation while encouraging responsible recreation, based on the philosophy that successful, long-term conservation depends upon first-hand enjoyment of the natural environment.” – AMC June 2012 press release.
With more than 4,000 members in Maine, AMC offers educational programs for children, adults, and families; operates its Maine Wilderness Lodges for the public in the 100-Mile Wilderness region; operates Knubble Bay Camp and Beal Island Campground in Georgetown and Echo Lake Camp in Acadia National Park, and maintains offices in Portland and Greenville.
Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club is America’s oldest conservation and recreation organization. With more than 100,000 members, advocates, and supporters in the Northeast and beyond, the nonprofit AMC promotes the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the mountains, forests, waters, and trails of the Appalachian region. The AMC supports natural resource conservation while encouraging responsible recreation, based on the philosophy that successful, long-term conservation depends upon first-hand enjoyment of the natural environment.
