About the Crew:
Berkshire Teen Trail Crew’s two-week Stewardship Crew is an opportunity for teens 15-19 to really engage with trail work, trail crew, camping, environmental stewardship and outdoor leadership. Where the one week Spike Crew leaves off, the Stewardship Crew picks up with ample time for you to get to know the folks on your crew, to do some remarkable work, and to get a fuller sense of what the woods are all about. Perfect for teens with outdoor experience or career interests, but suitable for any level of experience, this program offers two weeks of trail work and either a Leave No Trace Trainer or Wilderness First Aid course over the weekend (there is an additional charge for the Wilderness First Aid course, see below).

The Stewardship crew will work on a part of Massachusetts’ 90 miles of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, or on the 50 miles of hiking trails on Mt. Greylock, Massachusetts’ highest peak. Since the two-week crews can develop a truly remarkable camaraderie and ability, the more technical projects of the season are typically reserved for them. The work will include building rock structures like staircases and waterbars, and/or wooden structures like bog bridges. You will find the challenging simplicity of the work refreshing and the sense of accomplishment immense, when at the end of your crew you can look back at all the work you did, the friends you made, and all you learned in the process.

The work is satisfying because it is challenging and strenuous. You should be prepared to shoulder a 40 - 50+ pound pack for a few miles for the pack in. And during the week we will be rolling rocks, swinging tools, and working hard. You don’t need to be a lumberjack or even have a lot of experience in the woods; you just need to have the right attitude and a good understanding of what the crew is about. Don’t hesitate to call if you have any questions.

Parents and families can take advantage of the Berkshires’ many cultural attractions while here, including Tanglewood, the Norman Rockwell Museum, Shakespeare and Company, Mass MOCA, Kripalu, and hundreds of shops and eateries amidst the lovely Berkshire hills!

Camp Life:
It is certainly not all work though. Your crew will take plenty of time to play cards, toss Frisbee, take hikes and maybe even swim if there is a good place close by. The food is abundant and delicious. Crew members all get their turn cooking quesadillas, pasta feasts, and other backcountry delicacies. All of the food for the two weeks is included in the cost, as are tents and other camping equipment. The cost also provides for two AMC crew leaders, typically college upperclassmen with ample outdoor and youth leadership experience.

It is a great experience, and a chance to get 80 community service hours. Crews start on Sunday with a shakedown and orientation at our beautiful home base in South Egremont and then depart for the worksite in the afternoon. Sunday night they set up camp, where they stay through Thursday night. Over the weekend the itinerary will vary, but will include a day for laundry, town food, and recreation and the two-day LNT or WFA. The second week they go back in the woods and Friday at noon they are ready to be picked up. So what are you waiting for? Crews fill quickly so register today to “get out, get dirty, and give back!”

Been there, done that, said this:
"I had no idea what AMC Trail Work entailed until this summer. Some will say it’s a “metric butt load” of manual work, but it’s more than just that. The friends made and character gained make this whole experience worth the while (not to mention the wicked-cool AMC Leaders) I’m definitely going to remember this and I’ll be back for more for sure." Marlena (2-Week Stewardship Volunteer 2011)
"I really liked the leaders for both weeks and I enjoyed the LNT weekend!" Jessica (2-Week Stewardship Volunteer 2011)
"The Volunteer Trail Crew is a great thing to put on a college or job application as community service. The heavy duty work, especially with the grip hoist, is very challenging and rewarding; it’s amazing what groups of people can accomplish together. Namely, moving boulders and digging ditches. This is an amazing experience, for on a journey, it’s not where you are going or what you are doing, but the people you meet that makes it great." Jake (2-Week Stewardship Volunteer 2011)

2012 Dates:  
July 1-13
July 8-20
July 15-27
July 29 - August 10 (with Wilderness First Aid)
 
Contribution:  
$395 (AMC members)
$420 (non-members)  

July 31 - August 12 w/ Wilderness First Aid
$525 (AMC members)
$550 (non-members)

For More Information:
Matt Moore
AMC Regional Trails Coordinator
mjmoore@outdoors.org
Phone: 413-528-8003
Fax (call ahead): 413-528-8003

Register today!

View the full 2012 schedule >>