Based near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, the Mid-Atlantic Crew works on the Appalachian Trail from Rockfish Gap in Virginia to the New York–Connecticut state line. Sponsored by the National Park Service, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and the A.T. Maintaining Clubs of the mid-Atlantic region, it normally runs for eight weeks from late August to late October.
Base Camp
The Crew base provides a meeting place for the Crew on the day prior to the work week. It has a kitchen, dining/meeting hall, showers, bunk space, and parking for Crew volunteer vehicles.
Crew Week
Crew members meet at base camp on the afternoon or evening of the day before the first day of their work week for dinner and an orientation session. The first day of the work week begins with a hearty breakfast at 7 a.m. followed by travel to the project. The remainder of the first day is spent on some combination of working on the project and setting up a field camp. The Crew spends the next three days working on the project. On the final day of the work week, the schedule is reversed: field camp is packed up, some work may be done on the project, and the Crew travels back to base camp. Tools, the field kitchen, and vehicles are cleaned, followed by an optional celebratory dinner.
Please note that while there are usually three days off between each Crew session, occasionally adjustments to that schedule must be made. Please contact us with any questions about the schedule.
Mid-Atlantic Trail Crew
2026 Mid-Atlantic Crew Projects
Dates
Wednesday, August 26 – Monday, August 31
Description
The Crew will be continuing work on a relocation of the A.T. within the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge near Wind Gap, Pennsylvania with the BATONA Hiking Club. This relocation will reduce the steepness of this section of the Trail, helping to prevent erosion and providing a better experience for hikers. Constructing a new and more sustainable path for the Trail involves tasks such as vegetation clearing, tread definition, side hill tread construction, stone step installation, and crib wall construction. Each work day, the Crew will be hiking about 1/2 of a mile to the worksite with a climb of around 500 feet. Volunteers will stay at a nearby A.T. hostel.
Dates
Thursday, September 3 – Tuesday, September 8
Description
The Crew will be continuing work on a relocation of the A.T. within the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge near Wind Gap, Pennsylvania with the BATONA Hiking Club. This relocation will reduce the steepness of this section of the Trail, helping to prevent erosion and providing a better experience for hikers. Constructing a new and more sustainable path for the Trail involves tasks such as vegetation clearing, tread definition, side hill tread construction, stone step installation, and crib wall construction. Each work day, the Crew will be hiking about 1/2 of a mile to the worksite with a climb of around 500 feet. Volunteers will stay at a nearby A.T. hostel.
Dates
Friday, September 11 – Wednesday, September 16
Description
The Crew will work with the Allentown Hiking Club on replacing milled timber steps leading to the crossing of PA 309 near New Tripoli, PA. Volunteers will tent camp nearby and have a very short walk to the worksite.
Dates
Saturday, September 19 – Thursday, September 24
Description
The Crew will work with the Allentown Hiking Club on replacing milled timber steps leading to the crossing of PA 309 near New Tripoli, PA. Volunteers will tent camp nearby and have a very short walk to the worksite.
Dates
Wednesday, September 30 – Monday, October 5
Description
The Crew and the Mountain Club of Maryland will begin working on installing full bench sidehill tent pads and connecting side trails at the James Fry Shelter near Mt. Holly Springs, PA. The Crew will commute daily from its base at Camp Thompson and will hike about 3/4 mile to the project site.
Dates
Thursday, October 8 – Tuesday, October 13
Description
The Crew and the Mountain Club of Maryland will begin working on installing full bench sidehill tent pads and connecting side trails at the James Fry Shelter near Mt. Holly Springs, PA. The Crew will commute daily from its base at Camp Thompson and will hike about 3/4 mile to the project site.
APPLY HEREDates
Friday, October 16 – Wednesday, October 21
Description
The Crew will work with the Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail Club to begin replacing 20-year-old deteriorating pressure treated deck boards on a 500-foot-long boardwalk on the A.T. near Carlisle, PA. The Crew will tent camp nearby, with a very short walk to the worksite.
Dates
Saturday, October 24 – Thursday, October 29
Description
The Crew will work with the Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail Club to begin replacing 20-year-old deteriorating pressure treated deck boards on a 500-foot-long boardwalk on the A.T. near Carlisle, PA. The Crew will tent camp nearby, with a very short walk to the worksite.