Happy Trails for Happy Campers: A Program for Trail Maintenance
by Wynne Whyman of Lodgepole, PCCCA Business Member

Ahhhh, springtime. It is time to lace up the hiking boots, get away from the office for a break, and hit the trail. But probably after the winter season, there is some work that needs to be done before summer. 

Maintaining the trails can be a great service projects for youth and adults. But as we all know, it is more work than just meets the eye. Below are some guidelines for having a successful project that you can give to your project supervisor. Feel free to adapt the list for your specific project and geographical area.

  1. Project Supervision. Determine the best person to supervise the project. It might be someone on staff or you might find a volunteer who has trail work experience.

  2. Project. Determine what project(s) needs to be done and the age-appropriate audience: spreading chips or sand on the trail, reinforcing waterbars, building new waterbars, checking the integrity of a footbridge, trimming the bushes, removing spider webs, lining the trail with rocks or branches to define the edges, widening the trail, removing invasive species, etc.?

  3. Project Supports. Determine the necessary supports for the project. Lunch provided? First aid availability? Digital camera and photographer availability? Release forms needed? Writer to summarize the project in the next newsletter? etc.

  4. Ready the Tools. Do you have all the tools that are needed? Is everything sharp? Are shovel handles secure? 

  5. Volunteer information. Prepare the volunteers so they come with the proper clothing. Either provide gloves or ask them to bring their own.

  6. Prepare for the arrival of the volunteers. When the volunteers arrival, everything should be ready, so they can walk in and begin. It sends a message that they are important enough that you are excited they are coming and took the time to prepare.

  7. Training. Train the volunteers in tool safety, trail etiquette, what to do in severe weather, etc.

  8. Orientation. Orient the volunteers to their task: a clear description of the project, how the project helps the camp/center, how the project helps the campers/guests, and how the project manager will be assisting and teaching throughout the day. It is important for the volunteers to understand how valuable they are. 

  9. Conduct the Project. Give time for the volunteers to enjoy the project, the day, and each other. Volunteers need a balance of visiting with each other, enjoying the camp/center, and accomplishing their task.

  10. Evaluate the Experience. Pass out simple evaluation sheets. For your newsletter article, you might even find a good quote to use.

  11. Appreciation. Thank the volunteers for their work and the difference they made.

Trail building resources
Appalachian Mountain Club. 2008. AMC Complete Guide to Trail Building and Maintenance, 4th edition. 272 pp. $19.95 

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2007. Trail Planning, Design and Development Guidelines. 300 pp. $29.99