VOLUNTEER TRAINING Β· CREW CHEF PROGRAM
2026 Montana Crew Chef Training
Our first-ever Crew Chef Training in Montana. Spend three days learning to cook for volunteer trail crews, from group meal planning to food safety to handling food in bear country.
- DATES: September 4 β 6, 2026
- LOCATION: Essex, MT
- DIFFICULTY: Easy
- CREW SIZE: 14 Volunteers + Staff
ABOUT THIS PROJECT
Learn to chef for the crew
Curious about becoming a crew chef? This is the first CDTC Crew Chef Training in Montana, and it’s designed to prepare you to expertly cook for volunteer crews on future projects, while building skills you’ll use on your own adventures too.
Over three days, we’ll cover the essentials: hygiene, food storage and preparation, nutrition, and group meal planning. With help from our friends at the Glacier Two Medicine Alliance, we’ll also dig into all things food in bear country.
We’ll be based at Challenge Cabin on Hungry Horse Road, using the cabin for cooking and food storage while camping just outside. Volunteers arrive Thursday evening or early Friday morning, train through the weekend, and head out midday Sunday. CDTC provides experienced and trained leaders, all food, group kitchen gear, water, and safety equipment. No experience necessary.
Project Area (approximate)
Volunteer roles needed
π³ Crew Chef Trainee (14)
Learn to plan and cook hearty meals for volunteer trail crews. We’ll cover hygiene, food storage, nutrition, and food safety in bear country. All food, kitchen gear, and instruction provided. No experience needed.
A note on difficulty
Difficulty is rated Easy.
We calculate this by considering miles traveled per day, elevation gain and loss, camping location, and the kind of work involved. This is our best guess. If you’re unsure whether the training’s a good fit, please reach out.
What's provided
Our staff will provide all of the following for you to use during the weekend:
What you should pack
Our team has put together a recommended packing list for frontcountry camping trips like this one. Download the PDF version or review the list below:
Project Packing List
Frequently asked questions
How Can I Join Project?
We use a volunteer management software called Neon One, when you follow a registration link from our website it will redirect you to Neonβs site to register. You will be able to create an account so you can log in in the future without having to resubmit your information.
How Can I Prepare for My Project?
Itβs hard to anticipate everything youβll need, depending on the weather, location, and personal preferencesβ¦but hereβs a start!
What equipment is provided?
No tools necessary! Weβll have a range of tools and equipment for the project, and CDTC will also provide needed safety Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): hard hat (if needed, gloves, eye protection. You are welcome to bring your own gloves, eye projection, etc. if you prefer!
What does it cost to volunteer?
Totally free! You just need to get yourself to our worksite. Please keep in mind that while these events are free we would appreciate advance notice of you no longer being able to join a project, as we use registration numbers in several factors. Such as, how much food to buy and what, how much work we can expect to get done, etc.
Do you provide food? What about dietary restrictions?
- We provide food on all projects. For a Friday- Sunday project, we provide, Breakfast, lunch and dinner Friday and Saturday and provide Breakfast and lunch on Sunday.
- Our team is well versed in various dietary needs and restrictions. We can accommodate most diets but please think about risk factors or supplying your own food if you have a severe allergy.
Can I Bring My Pet?
We love our furry friends, but please leave them at home. If you have a service animal, please let us know when you register.
Whatβs a crew chef?
Crew chefs are volunteers whose job is to⦠chef! The crew chef feeds the trail crew a hearty Breakfast, lunch and dinner. CDTC Crew Chef Training is required to be a crew chef. CDTC can help provide ideas, recipes and a shopping list. Food is paid for by CDTC, as a reimbursement to the crew chef.
Are children allowed?
Kids, under the age of 18, are welcome to join with a parent, depending on the project work. Please reach out to [email protected] if you have further questions.
Prohibited Items
We’re happy to have you join a project, but please refrain from*:
- Possession or use of firearms, except with volunteer packers whoβve been
approved by the Forest Service - Consumption of alcoholic beverages in excess
- Possession or use of any illegal drugs, including Marijuana as it is illegal on
federal land on which all of our projects take place - Fighting, use of derogatory language, intimidating behavior, discrimination, sexual harassment, or violent or threatening behavior
*These actions could result in dismissal from the project.
Not sure if this project is right for you?
Sierra LaBonte, our Montana Regional Representative, can answer any question β big or small.