Mid-Atlantic Trail Crew

Spend a beautiful Appalachian autumn helping to build and repair the Appalachian Trail. Based at an old farmstead in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, the Mid-Atlantic crew covers the Appalachian Trail from Virginia's Rockfish Gap to the New York-Connecticut state line. Sponsored by the National Park Service, ATC, and the clubs of the Mid-Atlantic region, its eight week program runs from September through October.

Get up to date information at the Mid-Atlantic Trail Crew Blog.

Crew Life

Field Life and Working Conditions

Click for more information about working conditions and life in the field.

Base Camp

The crew works from the Scott Farm, along the Appalachian Trail near Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Crew quarters and a common area are located in a recently constructed bunkhouse. A kitchen, showers and laundry facilities are available in the nearby farmhouse.

Crew Week

Crew members arrive on the Wednesday afternoon before their work week for a dinner and mandatory orientation session. Volunteers work a five-day week in the field, from Thursday through Monday. Volunteers are welcome to stay at base camp between sessions.

Upcoming Projects

The 2010 Mid-Atlantic Trail Crew schedule is posted below.

Apply Today

Alumni Volunteers
If you have volunteered on a crew already register here for the Mid-Atlantic Crew.

New Volunteers
If this is your first time on a Trail Crew, register here and we'll contact you with more information.

Give us a call at (540) 953-3571 or email crews@appalachiantrail.org with any questions.

2010 Mid-Atlantic Crew Projects

Current Schedule Project Description
Week One Thursday 9/2 to Monday 9/6	Work with the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club on tread rehabilitation on the A.T. near Tom’s Run Shelters in Pennsylvania, primarily installing turnpiking and enhancing drainage along the treadway. The crew will stay at a nearby cabin.
Week Two Thursday 9/9 to Monday 9/13 *Crew will have two days off 9/14 & 9/15)	Continue construction of a boardwalk with the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference near the A.T. Train Station in Pawling, NY. Using steel helical piers, an existing boardwalk is being replaced and extended across a flood plain with an expanding flooding problem. The crew will tent nearby. PLEASE NOTE: The crew will remain on site for weeks 2 & 3 and will not return to base camp between them – we are looking for volunteers interested in staying for both weeks. The crew may visit the field camp for the Bear Mountain project (see below) between weeks.
Week Three Thursday 9/16 to Monday 9/20 *Crew will have two days off 9/14 & 9/15)	Continue construction of a boardwalk with the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference near the A.T. Train Station in Pawling, NY. Using steel helical piers, an existing boardwalk is being replaced and extended across a flood plain with an expanding flooding problem. The crew will tent nearby. PLEASE NOTE: The crew will remain on site for weeks 2 & 3 and will not return to base camp between them – we are looking for volunteers interested in staying for both weeks. The crew may visit the field camp for the Bear Mountain project (see below) between weeks.
Week Four Thursday 9/23 to Monday 9/27 *Crew will have two days off 9/28 & 9/29)	Work with the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference to continue construction of new trail for the 5 to 7 year redesign and relocation of the A.T. on Bear Mountain, NY. Work will include splitting and shaping native rock and using that to construct stone steps and crib wall. The crew will stay at a camp in Harriman/Bear Mountain State Park. PLEASE NOTE: The crew will remain on site for weeks 4 & 5 and will not return to base camp between them – we are looking for volunteers interested in working at Bear Mountain both weeks. Our field camp offers laundry facilities and a lake for recreation, and Harriman/Bear Mountain State Park offers a wealth of hiking trails.
Week Five Thursday 9/30 to Monday 10/4 *Crew will have two days off 9/28 & 9/29)	Work with the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference to continue construction of new trail for the 5 to 7 year redesign and relocation of the A.T. on Bear Mountain, NY. Work will include splitting and shaping native rock and using that to construct stone steps and crib wall. The crew will stay at a camp in Harriman/Bear Mountain State Park. PLEASE NOTE: The crew will remain on site for weeks 4 & 5 and will not return to base camp between them – we are looking for volunteers interested in working at Bear Mountain both weeks. Our field camp offers laundry facilities and a lake for recreation, and Harriman/Bear Mountain State Park offers a wealth of hiking trails.
Week Six Thursday 10/7 to Monday 10/11	Replace a bridge near Boiling Springs, PA with the Mountain Club of Maryland. The crew will stay at the Scott Farm.
Week Seven Thursday 10/14 to Monday 10/18	Continue construction of a boardwalk with the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference near the A.T. Train Station in Pawling, NY. Using steel helical piers, an existing boardwalk is being replaced and extended across a flood plain with an expanding flooding problem. The crew will tent nearby.
Week Eight Thursday 10/21 to Monday 10/25 Apply today	Assist the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club with tread rehab south of Bluemont, VA, primarily installing steps. This is a continuation of work started several years ago. The crew will stay at PATC's Blackburn Trail Center.