Volunteer with us!
There are several ways you can volunteer with us. Our most popular volunteer opportunity is our monthly Trail Work Weekends, but we also coordinate many special projects and work trips throughout the year. You do not have to be a PATH member to join us on a Trail Work Weekend. If getting out on trail is not your thing, we also rely on volunteers for camp coordination, tool maintenance, networking with the local trail community, website administration, newsletter contributions, and much more.
Monthly Trail Work Weekends
PATH’s main activity is trail maintenance on the 66 miles of trail assigned to us by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. This maintenance includes trail clearing and repair; blaze painting; repair and upkeep of footbridges, shelters, privies; trail relocation; removal of blown-down trees; and cutting weeds and briars from the treadway.
Some of this work is strenuous, and some activities can be hazardous such as operating a chain saw in the forest. However, we have tasks that are suitable for members of all strengths and dispositions. For example, a chain sawyer will need someone to carry a small can of gasoline for their saw. While some members may operate weed eaters to clear brush and briars, others will use loppers to trim small branches that overhang the trail. Members make their own decisions about the tasks they are able to perform, and members are never required to perform any task with which they are not comfortable.
Trail Work Weekends are held on the third full weekend of each month starting in March and ending in October. As many of our members travel in from out of the area, we make a weekend of it and set up at one of two places for camping and group meals. From basecamp, small groups travel to various sections of the trail to work on different projects through the weekend. Local members are welcome to stay overnight or drive in daily and meet at various project sites.
U.S. FOREST SERVICE WORK CENTER
609 Flat Ridge Rd, Sugar Grove, VA 24375
At Sugar Grove (also called Konnarock), you’ll have the option of pitching a tent or staying in one of the A-frame pods if one is available. The pods are unheated, have two or three single beds, and you must bring your own bedding. There is a full kitchen, common room, electricity, bathrooms, and showers available.
STONY FORK CAMPGROUND
109 Krenning Rd, Wytheville, VA 24382
At Stony Fork, you can camp for free during PATH Trail Work Weekends. Sites do not have electricity or water, but potable water, restrooms, and showers are available.
No matter which facility we use, most of our dinners are potluck in that everyone brings a dish to share with the group. Once we know who is coming to a specific work weekend, we coordinate who will bring what via email. Occasionally, a club member will decide to cook for the entire group, or we will travel to a nearby community event for dinner.
Volunteers should wear sturdy footwear and long pants (briars and poison ivy are abundant). Bring your own water bottles, sunscreen, gloves, rain gear, medications, snacks, and lunch. All tools, equipment, and PPE required will be provided by PATH.
See our upcoming volunteer opportunities here and RSVP to let us know that you are coming. If you have any question, feel free to reach out via our Contact Form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
Special Projects and Special Skills
The best way to stay informed about special projects - such as boundary monitoring, training and certification opportunities, conferences, odd jobs, etc., is to subscribe to the PATH List (email listserv), follow the PATH Facebook Page, read the newsletter, and check this website for upcoming events.
Do you have a hidden or not-so-hidden talent that you feel could help the club? Let us know!
Are you a web guru? A weed-wacking wizard? A certified sawyer? Small-engines mechanic? Professional chef? Let us know what special skills you have - chances are we can put them to use!