VOLUNTEER TRAINING ยท TRAIL SKILLS CLINIC
2026 New Mexico Trail Crew Chef Training
A hands-on Trail Skills 101 clinic and introduction to CDTC’s Trail Adopter Program in Colorado’s Rabbit Ears Range. Come for one day, two, or all three. No experience required.
- DATES: October 9, 2026 – October 11, 2026
- LOCATION: Ghost Ranch, New Mexico
- DIFFICULTY: Easy
- OPENINGS: 4 of 12 spots remaining
ABOUT THIS PROJECT
Learn to chef for the crew
Curious about becoming a crew chef? Join us at Ghost Ranch for a Crew Chef Training 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. We’ll also dig into all things food in bear country, so you’re ready to keep both the crew and the wildlife safe.
Set against the red-rock landscape of northern New Mexico, Ghost Ranch is a remarkable place to learn. 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
๐ณ Crew Chef Trainees (2)
Learn how to plan and cook three meals a day for a trail crew in a backcountry camp. CDTC provides all kitchen gear, food, and a chef stipend. No prior experience required!
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 a beginner-friendly clinic, and you’re welcome to choose the day option that best fits your comfort and experience level. This is our best guess. If you’re unsure whether the clinic’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 project:
What you should pack
We recommend packing the full frontcountry list (PDF here), including your camping setup.
Project Packing List
๐๏ธ Camping (2- and 3-day participants)
- โบ Tent with rainfly and ground cloth/footprint
- ๐ Sleeping pad
- ๐ค Sleeping bag rated for cold mountain nights
- ๐ชถ Pillow
- ๐ฝ๏ธ Camping dishware (plate or bowl, cup, utensils)
- ๐ฆ Headlamp
- ๐ช Camp chair
- ๐ Camp shoes
๐ Clothing
- ๐งฆ Hiking socks
- ๐ Long pants for the worksite, synthetic/jean/sturdy material (NO SHORTS) โ more than one pair recommended for multi-day
- ๐ Short and long sleeve shirts for layering
- ๐งฅ Insulating layer
- ๐ง๏ธ Rain jacket and rain pants
- ๐งค Warm gloves and warm hat (mountain weather shifts fast)
- ๐ Sun hat
โ๏ธ Work
- ๐ฅพ Sturdy work boots (no sneakers or sandals)
- ๐ Daypack large enough for water, food, raincoat, layers, and tools
- ๐ถ๏ธ Sunglasses
- ๐งด Sunscreen and lip balm
- ๐ง Minimum 3-liter water capacity
๐งด Personal
- ๐ฑ Personal snacks
- ๐ Personal medication
- ๐ฉธ Period products, if needed
- ๐งผ Hand sanitizer and soap
- ๐ฆ Insect repellent
- ๐งป Trowel, toilet paper, and Ziploc bags (pack it in, pack it out)
- โ๏ธ Small personal first aid kit
๐ Other (optional)
- ๐ Battery pack and charging cord
- ๐งญ Map and compass
- ๐ช Knife or multi-tool
- ๐ธ Camera or binoculars
- ๐งฃ Bandana
- ๐ Book
๐ซ Please leave at home
- ๐ถ Fuzzy friends (please, no dogs)
- ๐ Illegal substances
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 Neonโs 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?
Itโs hard to anticipate everything youโll need, depending on the weather, location, and personal preferencesโฆbut hereโs a start!
What equipment is provided?
No tools necessary! Weโll 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.
Whatโs a crew chef?
Crew chefs are volunteers whose job is toโฆ 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 whoโve 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 โ big or small.