Free Food, Free Lodging in AMC’s Maine Woods!

Posted
February 16, 2018

Posted in

Been thinking you’d like to do some volunteer trail work to repay or give back for the hours you’ve spent hiking trails? You are invited to apply for a scholarship that will cover all costs for food and overnight lodging during one of three trail work opportunities in AMC’s MWI.

The scholarship application deadline is March 1, 2018.

The Peter Roderick Trail Work Award (PRTWA) will cover the cost of a multi-day volunteer trail work outing in AMC’s MWI area in Maine. With preference to first- or second-time trail work volunteers and to Young Member volunteers, up to four scholarships may be awarded for use during any of three volunteer trips during 2018.

These trips have been going on for many years, are very popular, and have a limited number of participants. The May and July trips take only 12 participants each while the October trip takes 24. Normally every participant pays a (discounted) rate to stay in the bunkhouse for three nights and eat three days of lodge-prepared meals. Despite having to pay to volunteer, the trips tend to fill up and get waitlisted, primarily because prior participants all want to return year after year.

We are using the new PRTWA scholarship to introduce new folks to trail work and have saved spaces for scholarship recipients. Each trip is led by one or more seasoned volunteer leaders, and new volunteers get instruction, practice, and oversight in current trail work methods. All tools are provided.

Trip details

The three volunteer trips during 2018 are May 25-28, July 9-12, and October 5-8. Each trip begins with 6pm dinner and an overnight at one of the three AMC lodges outside of Greenville, Maine, and ends after lunch on the final day. All charges for bunkhouse accommodations and all meals during that time are covered by the scholarship. Final details and carpooling information will be sent in advance.

Who may apply

Just like all Maine Chapter trail work volunteer opportunities, the PRTWA is open to any AMC member who has the desire to be part of a team as they build or improve foot trails, bridging, or bog bridging in the Maine woods under the supervision of a volunteer leader.

How to apply

Complete the PRTWA Scholarship Application. The application is designed to gain an understanding of the applicant such as prior experience with volunteering, with trail work, and with AMC. Applicants should identify their first, second, and third preference for trip dates. Complete the form online.

Deadline for applications

The deadline for submitting applications is March 1, 2018. Awardees will be notified by March 15.

Questions?

Contact MWI Committee Chair Paul Hahn at [email protected] for answers to specific questions.