Research has shown that time in nature benefits one’s mind and body. Adults who spend more time outside report lower rates of depression, while benefits to children include better healing, coping, and rehabilitation.
With these benefits in mind, our club provides the following volunteer services to local schools:
- leading faculty-planned and scheduled hikes
- offering education to students and faculty in class settings
- teaching students “Leave No Trace” principles and their application to trail safety, woodland conservation, and flora/fauna preservation
- creating student and faculty opportunities to raise awareness and connection to the Appalachian Trail, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and National Park Service
- constructing with student participation a scaled mini-Appalachian Trial used for student navigation, trail maintenance, and green space activities
- distributing appropriate messaging to encourage trail safety and hiking fundamentals
Hiking club volunteers lead six activities in classrooms and on trail for first- through 12th-graders each academic year. In-classroom activities typically include discussions of Leave No Trace ethics, backpack basics, and mapping a thru-hiker’s AT route from the trail’s southern to northern terminus (≈ 2,200 miles).
“Club volunteers value our mentorships of students, faculty, and ancillary support staff,” said School Outreach Chair Pam Addleton. “We know that teachers and students are future stewards of our woodlands and trails.”
To inquire about or request services from our club’s school outreach volunteer, contact [email protected] or 478-230-5010 at least 30 days before the anticipated event.