Last year at this time we took part in a Volunteer Vacation sponsored by the American Hiking Society and The North Face.
What are Volunteer Vacations?
Volunteer Vacations are a series of trail building projects on America's public lands. Each crew consists of 6-15 volunteers accompanied by a crew leader. Trips involve backpacking or day hiking and accommodations vary from primitive campsites to bunkhouses or cabins. Tools and supervision are provided by the host agency or organization. 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, meet new people, and have a great time doing it!
Volunteer Vacations are a series of trail building projects on America's public lands. Each crew consists of 6-15 volunteers accompanied by a crew leader. Trips involve backpacking or day hiking and accommodations vary from primitive campsites to bunkhouses or cabins. Tools and supervision are provided by the host agency or organization. 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, meet new people, and have a great time doing it!
Basically you buy a yearly membership into the American Hiking Society, that among other benefits allows you to book a volunteer vacation through their site. When the trip list for the year first comes out there are many destinations and activity levels to choose from. They range from West Virginia to the US Virgins Islands, Alaska and even Hawaii,... and fitness skills level from easy to strenuous. Some trips are primitive tent camping and some have cabin accommodations and everything in between. I believe your travel expenses are tax deductible as well as some other expenses. Meals are provided during the trip. You can go as a single, couple, friends, and some trips are even family friendly for older children to be included.
We had a great time on our trip last year - you can read more about it here on The North Face's blog
Canaan Valley, WV - Black Water Falls |
When we get the chance to do it again,...I'm thinkin Hawaii,.or St John USVI,...extended a few days on the flip side for "recovery" purposes ;-)
-PP
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