About 
The Crew:
This popular two-week program is designed for teens, ages 16-18, who are looking for a longer and more diverse program. With 10 full days of trail work and two days of recreation - one including rock climbing - work and play come together for an exceptionally fulfilling experience. It is also an excellent opportunity for those interested in future work with the Park Service, Forest Service, or on our own AMC seasonal paid trail crews.
The week will begin on Sunday evening with dinner and an orientation at Camp Dodge. On Monday your crew will pack all food supplies, tools, camping equipment, and personal belongings into the woods with their Crew Leaders for a five-day, four-night excursion into the backcountry. (Clothes and other items needed only for the second week can be left at Camp Dodge during the first week.) The work may involve brushing the trail corridor, installing drainage to limit erosion problems in the mountains, quarrying and placing rock steps, building bog bridges, or a variety of other projects. Please remember that the work will be strenuous and demanding, and that we'll be out rain or shine. Our packs usually weigh 40 to 60 pounds.
After five days on the trails, the crew will return to Camp Dodge for the Friday night barbeque, and head out on Saturday for a day of rock climbing with experienced guides from Eastern Mountain Sports Climbing School - North Conway, NH. Sunday's activity will be decided by the group, weather depending. Monday, you will return to the backcountry for another five days of trail work, in a different area with some variety in kind of project work. The crew will pack out on their second Friday of the program, in time to clean up and join the Friday night barbeque. 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 each day the crew heads back to camp. Spike camps are located off trail, relatively close to the project site. Although, some 2-Week Spike Crews are based out of a backcountry shelter or tentsite.
Each morning the crew gets up and helps prepare breakfast. Our crews in the backcountry are contacted each morning by hand-held radio to check in to see if any additional food or tools are needed. After breakfast the crew takes what they need for the day, including water, rain gear, lunch, tools and safety gear, and heads to the project site. The hike could be a few tenths of a mile from camp to a mile and a half from camp.
All participants assist with meal preparation in the backcountry. 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 two weeks. After dinner and cleanup, the crew plays games, tells stories, and 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 was expecting it to challenge me, and it did. The experience met my expectations and then went way further. I had a blast while feeling good about the work I did. It was the best thing I have ever done. Mark (2008 Two-Week Crew Participant)
It was sufficiently challenging, the work was fun, and I was tired at the end of the day. I loved the people I met, the sunsets, and the bear hang. Sam (2008 Two-Week Crew Participant)
It was great to see hikers use the things that we built. There was great cooperation between everyone. You meet a great group of people with similar interests. Rachel (2008 Two-Week Crew Participant)
2009 Dates:
June 28– July 10
July 12 – 24
Contribution:
$505 (AMC members)
$555 (non-members)
Register Today!
View Full 2009 Schedule
