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.

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.

This Adult Spike Crew will meet and spend their first night at Abol Narrows campsite before heading into the backcountry for the remainder of the week. On Monday, the crew will backpack all personal and group gear to the backcountry campsite for the week. This week will be spent working on a variety of trail needs in remote regions of the Park (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and a half day of Friday). Saturday will be free to explore the Park on your own. This is a very exciting program to help maintain the trails in Baxter Park!

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 Friday are spent working with the Park on a variety of trails projects related to new trail construction. The crew will work together to prepare delicious meals each day, with plenty of food to satisfy the trail worker appetite. Half of 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 night (Sunday) and the last night (Friday) of the Baxter Crew we will be 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.

For the remainder of the week the crew will be backcountry camping in tents on the north end of Katahidin Lake. 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. Canoes will be available for use in the evenings to explore Katahidin Lake.

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 (Saturday) 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 (2011 Baxter Participant)

"Constructing the new trail in Baxter Park was amazing! We saw so many moose, ate great food, and got a lot accomplished on the new trail. The quiet and stunning beauty in the backcountry of Baxter is something I will always remember. Lesley (2011 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 (2011 Baxter Participant)

"The best part was all that I learned from the different people I met, and I saw my first moose! Money well spent, two thumbs up." Marc (2011 Baxter Participant)

2012 Dates:
July 8-14

Contribution:
$240 (AMC member)
$265 (non-member)

Register today!

View full 2012 Schedule >>