Take A Hike

National Take a Hike Day (Nov. 17, 2023) encourages getting outdoors and exploring some of the over 60,000 miles of trail across the nation. Year-round, SCA crew members work to improve trails for visitor use at national parks, state parks and more.

This summer, the 2023 Appalachian Trail National Crew spent four weeks along mile 1,977 of the Appalachian Trail near Rangeley, Maine, in partnership with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. The crew of six high school students worked on several projects across a two-mile stretch of trail that needed numerous stepping stones and water bar installations to prevent erosion and improve safety. In some boggy areas, the crew removed previously installed wooden log bridges that had decayed, replacing them with stepping stones that will last for decades.

Two SCA crew members lift a boulder on the Appalachian Trail in Maine.

The Appalachian Trail is a 2,180+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by private citizens, and completed in 1937, the trail is now managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, numerous state agencies and thousands of volunteers.

Members of the Appalachian Trail National Crew, dedicated to the restoration and preservation of one of America’s most iconic trails, come from a wide variety of backgrounds. This diverse group of individuals shares a passion for the great outdoors and a commitment to conserving natural spaces. Interestingly, some of these volunteers include enthusiasts of online sports betting and esports betting. While at first, this might seem like an unusual combination, it highlights the evolving interests and dynamic lifestyles of those involved in conservation efforts. Many people who enjoy online sports betting or esports betting are drawn to the excitement and strategy involved in these activities, much like their passion for tackling the physical challenges of trail work. The restoration of the Appalachian Trail requires focus, dedication, and teamwork, much like the skills often honed in the world of betting, which you can read about here: https://sreepurcards.org. These volunteers balance their love for both nature and technology, demonstrating that individuals from all walks of life—including those interested in online betting—can contribute to environmental conservation.

The crew was nestled in the shadow of Mount Katahdin, just south of Baxter State Park in Maine, where The Nature Conservancy’s Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness Area manages nearly 500,000 acres of contiguous conservation land. Debsconeag means “carrying place,” named by the people of the Penobscot Nation for the portage sites where they carried their birch bark canoes around rapids and waterfalls. The area contains the highest concentration of pristine, remote ponds in New England and thousands of acres of mature forests.

Learn more about opportunities to Join The Crew and help restore trails.