American Hiking Society, a national recreation-based non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting America’s hiking trails, is offering millennials volunteer opportunities for their next spring break.
The organization’s 2017 Alternative Break trip schedule lists service vacations geared towards college student groups and young professionals interested in giving back to the environment. Suitable for novice trail maintainers, these “volun-tour” trips aim to combine day hiking, trail conservation, camaraderie and nature exploration.
In addition to providing colleges and universities with an alternative to the traditional spring break beach retreats, Alternative Break provides volunteer assistance to land managers as they ready their parks and trails for busy visitor seasons.
“Alternative Break is a win-win for trail conservation and millennial volunteers,” commented Libby Wile, American Hiking Society’s senior director of volunteer stewardship. “Alternative Break encourages, educates and equips students and young professionals to be public land champions in their own communities, provides park managers with dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers, and improves outdoor access for the public.”
The 2017 schedule offers trail work projects in four different states including California, Florida, Missouri and Virginia. Accommodations vary from car-camping tent sites to fully furnished cabins. Examples of available projects include Crystal River Preserve State Park (Florida), Santa Clara County Parks (California) and Natural Bridge State Park (Virginia).
Accommodations, park entrance fees, tools, project supervision, project and meal planning guidance, use of cooking gear and a one-year membership with American Hiking Society are included in the registration fee.
To learn more about the Alternative Break program, visit americanhiking.org.
