AMC: Trails - Volunteer Trail Crew Guidelines

Program Guidelines

We provide these guidelines to help you better understand, prepare for, and enjoy your volunteer trail crew experience.

Food, tools, and equipment
These are provided for all weeklong volunteer crews and for other programs as noted. The AMC also provides first-aid supplies, group cooking gear, and some equipment for weeklong crews and other programs. Please bring your own sleeping bag, backpack, work gloves, and sturdy, all-leather hiking boots.

Travel and Expenses
You must provide and pay for your own travel to and from the rendezvous point. All travel costs, program fees, and incidental expenses incurred on these public-service projects are considered charitable contributions and are tax-deductible if you itemize.

Transportation and Rendezvous
Participants should arrive by early evening on the first date listed for the crew, and should expect to leave the woods on the last date listed. Volunteers will often share a final meal back at base camp after packing out of the woods and cleaning up. Volunteers are free to leave after this, or they may stay the night and depart early the following morning. You will be given specific locations and times for each project after we receive your registration.

Cancellations and Refunds

Reservations cancelled more than 30 days in advance will receive a full refund of the program fee.
Reservations cancelled fewer than 30 days in advance will forfeit the full program fee.
Fees will be refunded in full to applicants who are not accepted because of space limitations, or if the AMC must cancel a scheduled activity.

Participant Age
For weeklong trail crews, the minimum age is 16. Unless otherwise noted, crews are a mix of male and female volunteers of various ages, with a range of 16- 65 and older. Minimum age for Maine crews is 18.

Safety
Participating in trail work opportunities involves inherent and other risks. The programs listed here vary in several respects: Some take place very near roads and others take place in wilderness settings where participants may experience delays or difficulties with evacuation and transportation to medical care. Some short programs are led by AMC staff, and others are led by AMC volunteers who may not be paid professional guides or leaders. All participants are expected to share in the responsibility for their own safety and the safety of the group.

Weather
Our crews work on the trails regardless of weather conditions. Please come prepared to work rain or shine. After you have signed up for a program, you will be sent a list of gear, detailing all necessary personal items to bring for safe, wet-weather work.

Contact Information
If you have further questions, call the phone number for your program as noted on the weeklong schedule and short program schedule, or the North Country Volunteer Coordinator at AMC, P.O. Box 298, Gorham, NH 03581, or 603-466-2721, ext. 192. You may also email us by selecting "Volunteers " from this email form