VOLUNTEER TRAINING · TRAIL SKILLS CLINIC
2026 MT Trail Skills Clinic + Adopter Training
A hands-on, one-day Trail Skills 101 clinic and introduction to CDTC’s Trail Adopter Program. Open to anyone curious about trail work, no experience required.
- DATES: July 10, 2026
- LOCATION: Near Anaconda, MT
- DIFFICULTY: Moderate
- CREW SIZE: 10 Volunteers + 2 Staff
ABOUT THIS PROJECT
Try trail work for a day
Curious about trail work but not sure where to start? Join us for a hands-on Trail Skills 101 clinic where you’ll learn the basics of trail maintenance, no experience needed. We’ll cover foundational techniques and give you the confidence to get out on the trail and make a difference.
We’ll also introduce CDTC’s Trail Adopter Program for anyone interested in taking their involvement a step further. Whether you’re looking to try something new or explore a deeper commitment to the CDT, this one-day training is for you.
For the hands-on portion of the day, we’ll be tackling deferred maintenance on the Twin Lakes Trail outside Anaconda. CDTC provides all tools, safety equipment, and experienced leaders. No experience necessary.
Project Area (approximate)
Volunteer roles needed
🎓 Clinic Participant (12)
Spend a day learning trail maintenance fundamentals and applying them on the Twin Lakes Trail. Training, tools, and PPE provided on-site. Open to anyone curious about trail stewardship or the Trail Adopter Program.
A note on difficulty
Difficulty is rated Moderate.
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 project’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 day training events like this:
Project Packing List
Clothing
- 🧦 Hiking socks
- 👖 Long pants for worksite, synthetic or sturdy material (NO SHORTS)
- 👕 Short and long sleeve shirts for layering
- 🦺 Insulating layer
- 🧥 Rain jacket
- 🧤 Light gloves and warm hat (mountain weather can shift fast)
- 👒 Sun hat
Work
- 🥾 Sturdy work boots (no sneakers or sandals)
- 🎒 Daypack large enough for water, food, raincoat, and layers
- 🕶️ Sunglasses
- 💧 Minimum 3 liters water capacity
Personal
- 🍱 Personal snacks
- 💊 Personal medication
- ☀️ Sunscreen and lip balm
- 🦟 Insect repellent
- 🧻 Trowel, toilet paper, and Ziploc bags for in-the-field needs
- ⛑️ Small personal first aid kit
- 📸 Camera (optional)
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 Neon’s 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?
It’s hard to anticipate everything you’ll need, depending on the weather, location, and personal preferences…but here’s a start!
What equipment is provided?
No tools necessary! We’ll 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.
What’s 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 who’ve 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 — big or small.