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 and have a great time doing it!

American Hiking is a non-profit organization. The registration fee helps offset the costs associated with coordinating more than 70 different projects in 30 states. Meals are included, except when volunteers opt to eat out in a nearby town. Our volunteers also are exempt from paying park entrance fees, campground fees and backcountry permit fees, which for a typical week in a U.S. National Park could run upwards of $100. Your registration fee also includes a crew member t-shirt and a year's membership in American Hiking for new participants. The registration fee is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Food is provided for all Volunteer Vacations but volunteers are expected to help. The American Hiking crew leader will help coordinate the menu, grocery shopping, and camp chores, including cooking and cleanup detail and may delegate some of these duties to the crew.

Vegetarians and specific allergies will be accommodated to a reasonable extent. We ask that you be flexible. If your needs are extensive or expensive, you may be asked to bring some of your own food.

You are responsible for all travel costs to and from the site. Many hosts offer an airport pickup. When we confirm the project, we will provide you with airport pickup and departure times and the designated meeting place. Travel expenses for public service projects are considered charitable contributions and may be tax deductible.

If the host cannot provide airport pickup, it is the responsibility of the volunteer to get to the site. We provide a list of participants in the confirmation packet and you might coordinate with some of your fellow crew members to carpool, or there might be an airport shuttle that will get you close to the site where the host may be willing to pick you up. The host and crew leader will be able to provide more information about transportation options.

All of our projects require participants to be in good physical condition. Projects are rated from 'easy' to 'extremely strenuous'. Please read the project descriptions carefully and choose one that fits your experience level.

Easy-Moderate trips are usually front country projects that include car-camping or cabin accommodations and day hikes to and from the work site each day. Some projects with a moderate rating can include backpacking up to 3 miles to base camp. Work usually includes general trail maintenance.

Moderate-Difficult trips usually require longer hikes into base camp and can also include car-camping or cabin accommodations with longer day hikes and more demanding physical work. The work may include heavy lifting, lots of bending, shoveling, picking, chopping, and/or sawing.

Strenuous-Very Strenuous trips usually require backpacking more than 5 and up to 17 miles into base camp. Generally these projects are rated strenuous due to the backpacking distance and terrain or elevation. Prior backpacking experience is strongly recommended. The work may include heavy lifting, lots of bending, shoveling, picking, chopping, and/or sawing. Strenuous trips can be at high elevations and have associated risks.

No experience is necessary. There is a wide variety of tasks on each trip and there is always something for everyone to do. Some of our projects involve hiking or backpacking into a remote location. Previous backpacking experience and good physical condition are essential for projects involving more than a 5-mile hike into base camp and those rated strenuous.

Volunteers are provided housing or a place to put up a tent in either a front country or a backcountry location. Campsites range from developed campgrounds with bathroom/shower facilities to primitive backcountry sites. You must provide your own tent and camping gear. Some projects provide cabin or lodge accommodations where you only need your sleeping bag.

Our volunteers, both men and women, married and single, come from all walks of life and all across the country. Age ranges from 18 to 80. Volunteers under the age of 18 are welcome on certain trips if accompanied by a parent. Try the “family friendly” search option on our website. In 2008, we will also be offering Alternative Spring Break options for college hikers and trail enthusiasts.

Typically, you'll enjoy a hearty breakfast, be on the trail by 8 a.m., work 6-7 hours, and return to camp in time to enjoy the long afternoons. All participants are expected to perform a fair share of camp chores, including cooking, washing dishes, collecting firewood, and maintaining tools. Evenings are spent with plenty of free time to relax, and most trips give some time off to explore the local area.

Volunteers provide their own tent, sleeping bag, pad, and all personal gear, including eating utensils. For backcountry projects, you must provide your own backpacking gear. Tools as well as group cooking equipment are provided by the host agency or organization. Your host or crew leader will emphasize any special gear or equipment needs. Download the suggested equipment list (PDF 61KB).

Pets are not allowed.

If you are unable to take part in your assigned project for any reason, please let us know as soon as possible.

• Cancellations received 8 weeks prior to your project’s start date, will be refunded $100 of the original fee.
• Cancellations received less than 8 weeks before the trip will not be refunded.
• Transferring the registration fee to another project during the same calendar year entails a $50 transfer fee.

Trip cancellations, though rare, may occur due to unforeseen circumstances for the host or if the minimum number of participants is not met.

• If the project you signed up for is cancelled, we will refund the entire $245 registration fee.
• The $30 membership fee is non-refundable.

We confirm each project by e-mail as soon as the project is confirmed or no later than 4-6 weeks prior to the start of a project. You should not make non-refundable reservations until we have confirmed your project.