About The Crew:
This program is ideal for teens, ages 15-17, to camp out and work in the Pleasant Mountain Preserve in Southwestern Maine, while reaping the benefits of engaging in a worthwhile and much appreciated service project. Due to the front country nature of these crews, volunteers without much backpacking experience or those wanting more comforts during the week may find these trips ideal. The week will begin on Sunday evening with dinner and an orientation with Camp Dodge leaders. You can expect to have a great time in the woods, while learning and practicing trail work and outdoor skills.
On Monday your crew will pack all food supplies, tools, camping equipment, and personal belongings with their crew leaders for a five-day, four-night excursion. The crew will be camping near a lake on a large private property in Denmark, Maine. This crew will have the luxury of only carrying in food, water, and gear for less than a quarter of a mile. In the morning, the Pleasant Mountain Crews will drive a short distance to the Southwest Ridge Trail in the Pleasant Mountain Preserve, where they will hike to the work site. The Preserve contains the tallest peak in Southern Maine: Pleasant Mountain. The work will involve constructing and installing water bars to help with drainage along the well-used and eroded trail, as well as some other tasks. Please remember that the work will be strenuous and demanding, and that we’ll be out rain or shine. This area allows for a variety of side-trips: hiking to a mountain summit, swimming in Moose Pond, and wildlife viewing.
The crew will return on Friday to Camp Dodge in time to clean up and join the Friday night barbeque at 6 p.m. Participants may leave Friday evening or Saturday morning– Friday night stay and Saturday morning breakfast is included in program cost.
Camp Life:
These crews are not all work; there are plenty of opportunities to swim, see the views, eat great food, and more. After leaving the project site each day, the crew will head back to their private camping area. Because of the location of the camp, volunteers can bring more comforts of home: a pillow, a Frisbee, or a journal, for example. Food will be simpler than our crews that hike miles to set up camp and thus will contain more fresh food.
Each morning the crew gets up and helps prepare breakfast. Our crews are contacted each morning by cell phone to check in to see if any additional food or tools are needed. After breakfast the crew takes what they need for the day — water, rain gear, lunch, tools and safety gear — and jump into the AMC van to head to the project site. From the Southwest Ridge trail head, the hike will either be a few tenths of a mile up to a mile and a half from the parking area.
All participants assist with meal preparation at camp. Participants will learn to cook quality meals in the woods, and there will be plenty of it. The crew builds quite an appetite over the course of the week. After dinner and cleanup the crew plays games, tells stories, discusses conservation and environmental ethics, but most of all they just kick back and enjoy the evening. We supply all tents and group cooking equipment for the crew.
What The Volunteers Say:
"I’m most satisfied with the food, shelter, workload, learning experience, etc. Pretty much everything was awesome." Nick (2008 Pleasant Mt. participant)
"I enjoyed it, and everyone was involved in something. The experience was challenging and fulfilling. In a good way. The best part was working." Renee (2008 Pleasant Mt. participant)
"The work was difficult at times, but it was satisfying and rewarding and the leaders were great. I liked the idea that I helped build an actual trail. Nicollette (2008 Pleasant Mt. participant)
2009 Dates:
July 5 - 10
July 12 - 17
Contribution:
$175 (AMC member)
$195 (non-member)
Register Today! View Full 2009 Schedule
