Volunteer Opportunities - Hikes Program

Additional positions will be continually added; check the website frequently. Contact
Jean Anderson if you know which opportunity you are interested in or if you would like a more complete job description. For questions, please contact the Program Chair listed.

Hikes Program – Contact: Trina Perkins

Driving Scouts (June 2008-August 31, 2008)
Volunteers are needed to check mileage, driving times, and directions from Castleton, Vermont to trailheads. Drivers will need to provide their own vehicle and be willing to follow established conference guidelines. This is a great opportunity for people looking for a reason to get out in the field that does not involve strenuous hiking. (7-15 volunteers needed)

Driving Directions Coordinator - Data Entry
(September 1, 2008-April 1, 2009)
Edit, assure consistency, and type (in electronic format) finalized driving directions provided by the Driving Scouts. This data will be verified by Driving Directions Checkers. (1-4 volunteers needed)

Driving Directions Checkers (Sept 1, 2008-completion date TBD)
Volunteers will use provided driving directions, verify accuracy and assure clarity by driving the proposed route. Edits, if needed, will then be recorded. Required: accurate odometer on vehicle used. (7-15 volunteers needed to verify 4 or more routes each)

Emergency Quick List Preparation Volunteer
(completion date March 1, 2009)
Prepare and duplicate a one-page reference including telephone contacts to facilitate emergency response. There is an already-established list of contacts to be included. Attention to accuracy a must! (1 volunteer needed)

First Aid Kits Coordinator (completion date May 1, 2009)
Obtain first aid kit contents and assemble 60 kits in one gallon zip-loc freezer bags. The list, funds, and where-to-obtain items will be provided. (2-10 volunteers needed)

Maps/Hikes Descriptions Coordinator (completion date TBD)
Copy road maps, trail maps, and hike descriptions for each hike. Copy and highlight driving and hiking routes. Volunteer will utilize VT Gazetteer (provided) and select appropriate maps. There will be 60-70 hikes offered, many repeatedly throughout week. Accuracy and neatness is required. (4-10 volunteers needed)

Local Hiking Information Coordinator (completion date by May 22, 2009)
Organize a one-page reference to hand out for self-guided local hikes. Most of the information is already available. Must be able to do work in electronic format, print, and electronically send their work. This person is not responsible for making copies for distribution; needs to be able to work on their own. Should ready the information, directions, and verify accuracy during 2008. (1-2 volunteers needed)

Hike Leader Packet Preparation (completion date July 1, 2009)
Collate and stuff, label and manage the hike leader envelopes (150+) for each hike departure. Contents will be provided. Packets must be sorted by departure date and time. (2-8 volunteers needed)

Hikes Program Display Creation Volunteer(s)
(completion date July 10, 2009)
Prepare 1-3 poster boards, displaying hikes program info (descriptions and schedules). Also, affix a VT state map to firm backing and mark all hikes by displaying hike number. This is a great opportunity for someone with experience making posters or displays who is willing to take direction but work independently. (1-3 volunteers needed)

Groups Dispatcher (for outside Hikes Departure area)
(July 18-24, 2009)
With on-site direction from the Hikes Program Co-chair, coordinate the departure of hikes, dispersing hike leader packs, first aid kits, and volunteer tee shirts. Approximately 4 hours per shift. On Saturday through Friday, volunteers are needed to start early in the morning
(1 ½ hrs prior to first departure) and remain on duty until all hikes have departed (late morning?). (Exception is Monday when hikes will be run only in the afternoon.)
Preferred for this position: Experience with organizing groups of people, patience, clear thinker with the ability to adapt to changing conditions and resolve issues. (2-14 volunteers needed to work 2 or more shifts each)

Hiking Desk Attendant (for inside information area)
(July 17-24, 2009)
Staff the hikes desk, answering questions about hikes and directing people in choices. Hiking books, maps and materials will be provided.
Required for this position: Familiarity with and experience in local area hiking and Vermont hiking. Must be able to easily read maps, guidebooks, and lists of participants.
Preferred for this position: Good people skills, patience, ability to read trail maps, familiarity with VT hiking publications OR a willingness to become familiar with them.
(6-10 volunteers needed to work 2 or more shifts each)

Shuttle Provider (July 18 -24, 2009)
Volunteers with large capacity vehicles to help with some of the long hike shuttles. Go with or meet the hikers at the end of trailhead and drive them back to the start of trailhead. Must require seatbelts to be worn by driver and all passengers. (3-10 volunteers needed)

Hike Leader and/or Co-Leader
(July 18-24, 2009 -hikes to be selected by leaders.)
Lead hikes chosen from conference offerings. Hikes must be scouted in advance by the leader. Leader is asked to recruit and confirm their own co-leader. (Hike Program Co-chairs are willing to help if needed.) Leaders should be prepared to drive if at all possible and should be available from 7:30 am through 7:00 pm, TBD by the hike chosen. (120-200 volunteers needed)

If a hike leader is unable to come to the Castleton hike departure area, we will attempt to have someone act as a hike shepherd, meeting and organizing the hikers, getting them to/from the trailhead. This scenario MUST be requested 8 weeks prior to start of conference and is NOT THE PREFERRED SCENARIO.

Hike Leaders must have experience leading group hikes and be willing to follow established guidelines as set forth in complete job description. Co-Leader is equally as important as leader. Co-leader will sweep and must be prepared to take over for the leader in an emergency situation.