Volunteer recruitment is under way for the Maine Trail Crew.

Organized in 1991 by the Maine Appalachian Trail Club, the Maine Trail Crew consists of volunteers from around the world who join club members to work on the Appalachian Trail.

Directed by experienced crew leaders, Maine Trail Crew volunteers repair, reconstruct and rehabilitate damaged places along the Appalachian Trail in Maine in exchange for food and lodging.

“Volunteers spend a week or more building or rehabilitating a piece of America’s best-known long-distance trail, enjoying great scenery, food, transportation, lodging, transportation, tools, equipment, training and the opportunity for lots of fun,” said Jody Bickel of the Appalachian Trail Conference’s Volunteer Trail Crew Program.

The Maine Trail Crew base camp is situated on a high ridgeline of an old farmstead just outside Dexter, with scenic views of more than 50 miles.

During the 2003 season, the Maine Trail Club will tackle projects located along 280 miles of the Appalachian Trail from Saturday, June 7, through Wednesday, Aug. 13.

Crews work 8-hour days, rain or shine, hot or cold.

Trail crew members backpack into a backcountry campsite and set up a primitive tent camp near the project site. In addition to personal gear, crews carry all the food, tools, and group gear needed for the week in the woods.

Bickel said volunteers aged 18 and older of all backgrounds are welcome to apply.

Enthusiasm, good health, physical vigor and adaptability are vital, she added.

For more information, contact the Appalachian Trail Crew Program at (540) 961-5551, the Maine Trail Crew at 924-0133, or e-mail crews@appalachiantrail.org or bruceg@prexar.com.

To view the 2003 Maine Trail Crew work schedule, visit www.matc.org/actvschd.htm. To learn more about the Maine Trail Crew, visit www.matc.org/metrlcrw.htm.

karkos@sunjournal.com

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