Abby reflects on her first week as Community and Trail Steward for the Mad River Path
Abby got straight into the field in her first week, snow blowing the Heart of the Valley boardwalk.
Hi! My name is Abby, and I recently began serving as the Community and Trail Steward for Mad River Path through VHCB AmeriCorps.
In this role, I help coordinate community events, assist with trail maintenance projects, support education programs, and everything in between. I am a graduate of the Rubenstein School at UVM with a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology, and I am passionate about environmental conservation and equitable access to nature. With experience in nature-based childcare and park maintenance, I’m excited to bring a people-centered and hands-on approach to connecting the community with local trails and each other.
During my first week with Mad River Path, I spent a lot of time learning the various aspects of my role and jumping head-first into the nonprofit world. While there was a lot of new information to take in, I’ve appreciated the opportunity to ask questions and observe how things operate. I’ve loved meeting so many great people and getting a firsthand look at how community-driven and truly unique the Mad River Valley is. My week included attending lots of meetings, tackling registration for summer camps and the Mad River Triathlon, helping develop pages for the Attitude of Gratitude website, and snowblowing the path. My favorite part was being able to get outside and explore sections of the path—despite needing snowshoes and lots of layers to do it! I was also able to ski at Mad River Glen for the first time thanks to their generosity in getting me a free mid-week pass. I already feel connected to the strong sense of place and community here, and I’m excited to continue learning and getting things done.
How to train for the Mad River Triathlon: a short film
Now is the time to start your triathlon planning! It’s never to early to start training, and it’s never to early to lock in your registration. Not only will you get the best prices before they increase closer to the event, but you can add team members or switch categories down the line without penalty.
Don’t wait - Mad River Path Summer Camps are filling up!
Our Mad River Path Adventures are starting to fill up for the summer! Register now and give your child the gift of a week of living in connection with nature and each other. In our summer camps we put down our devices and pick up a paddle, to push our comfort zones and build leadership and wilderness skills.
Whether a day camp is the right fit, or you’re ready to jump into an overnight experience, we have a camp for you! All adventurers ages 9 - 15 are welcome, and we offer sliding scale tuition and scholarships to ensure that no one is turned away.
Is a family excursion more your style?
Join Misha and Lynne on our annual summer family canoe trip on the Ashuapmushuan River in Quebec.
On this trip, we will explore the upper reaches of the river, characterized by beautiful lakes connected by stretches of moving water and class I – II rapids. You will experience the Northern wilderness, largely unchanged by humans. We will pick berries and mushrooms, fish for Northern Pike and Walleye, and fall asleep to the howl of a wolf. We will follow an ancient migration water route that connected Hudson Bay and St. Lawrence, dating back thousands of years. This trip is an accessible introduction to traditional canoe camping and will touch the soul of both the beginner and the experienced adventurer.