About the Crew:
Baxter State Park, in northern Maine, offers some of the most beautiful settings in the northeast. Your experienced AMC Trails Program crew leader will provide training and supervision for your volunteer crew, under direction from Baxter State Park. This program is open to all over the age of 18, and is one of the more strenuous adult programs we offer.
We will head out from our campsite each day to our project. Work locations involve at least a mile and a half hike in from the trailhead. The crews will work four days during the week, (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) averaging 6-8 hours/day in the field, with Friday and Saturday free for enjoying the Park. Projects may include using pry bars, grip hoist rigging systems, and other tools to move rocks; clearing drainage ditches; cutting out trail corridor; painting blazes; grubbing out the treadway and assisting with the clearing of larger brush and trees through the mixed forest; constructing bog bridges; or building rock stairs or drainage structures. While this type of work may be new to you, don’t worry. The AMC leaders and Baxter Park staff will provide you with all of the appropriate training. The park maintains its trails almost solely through the volunteer labor of individuals and groups such as ours.
Initially you may find the days to be long, and the work tiring, but the work is also invigorating and your body will adjust. Improving your fitness before the project is recommended: long walks, running, and hiking with a pack are excellent ways to condition yourself.
Camp Life:
These crews are not all about the work; they are about having fun, meeting new people, and enjoying Baxter State Park. There will be time to relax, swim, and hang out by the fire at camp after meals each evening. Make sure to bring your camera - we often see moose right outside our camp!
Monday through Thursday are spent working with the Park on a variety of trails projects. The crew will work together to prepare delicious meals each day, with plenty of food to satisfy the trail worker appetite. Friday through Sunday, our volunteers are welcome to stay in the Park for no additional charge to enjoy the trails and ponds throughout the Park. Go for a hike to the summit of Baxter Peak or borrow one of the State Park's canoes to explore one of the many ponds. Bird watching and fishing are also popular weekend activities.
For the first week of Baxter Crew we will be a Base Camp Crew camping at "Abol Narrows," a group camping site with 4 lean-tos, 2 fire pits, and an outhouse. "Abol Narrows" group campsite is situated on the banks of Abol Pond. A canoe will be available for evening activities, or for use at the end of the crew. This location will give you easier access to recreational pursuits in the southern end of the park for your days off. This vehicle-accessible camp site allows volunteers to bring more comfortable gear and clothing than they would be able to bring on a backcountry camping trip.
The second week of crew will be an Adult Spike Crew and will be backcountry camping in tents away from roadside campgrounds. We will hike into the camp and set up for the length of the program to work on remote sections of trail in the Park. This is the week to join if you'd like to experience the rugged backcountry of Baxter Park.
AMC provides the leadership, food, tents, cooking equipment, tools, safety equipment, and any other group gear. However, if you plan to stay in the Park for an extra night (free of charge) you will need your own tent and cooking equipment.
What the Volunteers Say:
"Hard work and much fun, as advertised! I enjoyed the group teamwork, hiking, and doing work that actually contributes to something." Sarah (2009 Baxter Participant)
"This program met all my expectations. There were good people and I learned more about trail work, conservation, the AMC, outdoor trips, and cooking." Chris (2009 Baxter Participant)
"The best part was all that I learned from the different people I met. Money well spent, two thumbs up." Marc (2009 Baxter Participant)
2010 Dates:
Base Camp Crew: July 4-10
Backcountry Spike Camp Crew: July 11-17
Contribution:
$195 (AMC member)
$215 (non-member)
Register today!
View full 2010 Schedule >>
