Volunteer to Maintain America's Wilderness

Like to hike and camp in America's National Forests and Parks and open wilderness areas? Feel like giving something back to the wild areas that you enjoy? Want to join other volunteers on trips to the great outlands? The American Hiking Society has the dream volunteer trip for you - American Hiking's Volunteer Vacations. Plan now to volunteer next summer.

Overview

From the American Hiking Society's website: "For over 25 years, American Hiking's Volunteer Vacations has sent hundreds of volunteers per year into America's most special places to revitalize trails. Thousands of vacationers have raked, shoveled, trimmed, lopped, and chopped hundreds of trail miles that, without these crews, would be unsafe for foot travel. Into its third decade, American Hiking Society's Volunteer Vacations sends over 100 trail volunteer teams into America's National Parks, Forests and rangelands each year. Participants restore deteriorating trails and build new ones while enjoying unique one- or two-week vacations. More than a program that rehabilitates trails, Volunteer Vacations fosters public land stewardship and provides volunteers the opportunity to give back to the trails they love and have a great time doing it!"

Volunteers also maintain and/or restore damaged camping areas.

The Details

Trips are from one to two weeks and are headed up by experienced crew leaders. You'll be camping near the area in which you're working, so you'll need a sleeping bag at minimum. You can choose from six kinds of tips depending on your level of fitness:

Easy to moderate trips - car camping or cabin accommodations and short hikes to the work area or base camp (up to three miles for moderate trips).

Moderate to difficult trips - may include car camping or cabin accommodations (you'll be told whether you need a tent) and require longer hikes to the work area or base camp.

Strenuous to very strenuous trips - may require backpacking up to 17 miles to the work area or base camp; you will probably need a tent. The American Hiking Society recommends participants have backpacking experience for these trips. Be prepared to work hard!

Register for a trip here. See what's available around the country using this map. Minimum volunteer age: 18 (younger people will be considered if accompanied by a parent or guardian). You must get to your destination under your own steam - however, airport pickups can be arranged depending on your trip; you'll get that info after you sign up.

You'll have a crew leader who will help you with your planning, right down to food (vegetarian? List your preferences on your application and tofu will be provided). Get everything you need to know here. For example, learn about a typical day: up early, big breakfast, six to eight hours of work and then back to camp to relax. (You will be expected to do camp chores at night such as washing dishes in addition to relaxing in a hot spring, of course - this is a community venture.)

The Cost

An amazing $95 per week if you are an American Hiking Society member - benefits of membership include discounts on hiking books, National Geographic trail maps, Hiker's Store items, an American Hiking Society membership card and a "Save the Trails" static cling decal. $125 per week if you are not a member (hey - join!)

You can take more than one trip per calendar year; frequent trail flyer discounts can mean paying as little as $75 per trip.

The Bottom Line

You needn't be in great physical condition to participate; the work on trips rated "Easy" consists of simple trail maintenance requiring no chopping or whacking. You can't bring your dog (darn). You can bring a strong desire to maintain the wilderness areas you love. Go to it!

Choose from over 100 opportunities. Meet folks from 18 to 80, do some good and return home knowing you've done a job well. And that you have preserved something precious.

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."
--Helen Keller