VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Already volunteered? Please fill out a feedback form.  Thanks for your service!

Volunteers at Baxter State Park help to improve the resources that make the visitor experience at the Park so enjoyable while participating in the stewardship of the Park in accordance with Percival Baxter’s mission. Individuals and groups of all ages are welcomed, and it is important to Park staff that the volunteer experience is mutually positive.

If you are already in the park and have not completed a volunteer form as stated above, the park ranger will provide you with an application to complete prior to volunteering if there are projects available. Applications are reviewed, safety talks are provided relative to the project at hand, and work is performed under the supervision of Park personnel. Park Rules and Regulations apply. Anyone 18 years or older who enjoys the wilderness environment, especially anyone with a love for Baxter State Park, is offered an opportunity to assist the Park staff. Those under 18 years of age may participate under the direct supervision of an adult family member, or as a member of an organized group with adult leadership.

Volunteer projects may include:

• Monitoring and reporting trail conditions
• Trail maintenance and/or stewardship (see also Adopt-a-Trail program information below)
• Facilities and grounds maintenance (sanding, painting, staining, cleaning cabins during opening and closing of the park campground season, raking)
• Campground assistance
• Earth Day Litter Patrol
• Light Carpentry
• Gate attendant assistance during spring meetings
• And volunteers with special knowledge about the Park’s history or natural science may be asked to help with the Interpretive Program (including youth programs).
• Larger group projects may also be available
• Other miscellaneous projects will also be identified

Tools and equipment necessary to perform the volunteer project will be provided. Volunteer projects are identified throughout the season, and the project list is updated periodically and available on the website.

Campsite space, rustic or primitive housing may be provided for volunteers. However, all personal gear, food, bedding, and drinking water shall be the responsibility of the volunteer. If the specific project warrants the use of BSP vehicles or equipment, authorization forms will be completed and approved prior to use.

While you are here for the purposed of volunteering on a project, you are asked to spend a minimum of 50% of your day volunteering.  Volunteerism at Baxter State Park is an important tradition and one that benefits Park resources beyond measure. Thank you for your service!

Baxter State Park
Attn: Volunteer Coordinator
64 Balsam Drive
Millinocket, ME 04462
(207)723-9616 X222
[email protected]

 

ADOPT-A-TRAIL VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

  

The Baxter State Park Adopt-A-Trail Program is accepting applications for the 2023-2024 season.  The Adopt-a-Trail Program is a great opportunity for both volunteers and the Park. There are many volunteers that would like to give back to the Park that has brought them many great memories and this program gives the volunteer ownership of the maintenance of a selected trail. Trail Adopters have the opportunity to work more independently on an adopted trail of their choice during multiple visits throughout the season. The contributions that Trail Adopters bring to the Park allow for the necessary basic maintenance of trails to keep corridors open and blazed, and to prevent further erosion. These types of contributions and support allow our trail crews time to concentrate on other technical projects.

The Process

• • Volunteers spend one-day training with the Baxter State Park Trail staff on a Saturday around National Trails Day in early June.  The 2023 Adopt-a-Trail training is scheduled for Saturday June 10^th.

• • Volunteers with a current or recently expired (5 years maximum) chainsaw certification from a recognized agency can receive an additional day of training to become certified to use their own chainsaw and equipment on their adopted trails.

• • Volunteers select one trail, or one section of trail, to adopt from a list of available options.

• • Commitments are made by each Adopter to volunteer a total of 24 hours over no more than 3 trips meaning an average of 8 hours per trip. Trail Adopters request trip dates at least two weeks in advance to prevent accommodation conflicts and to ensure all park staff can be notified of the volunteer.

• • The Trail Supervisor will reserve volunteer housing for Adopters and leave one of our Trail Adopter Kits, filled with the appropriate tools, at the nearest gatehouse.

• • Adopters commit to maintaining their adopted trail for at least two years (2023-2024).

• • Trail Adopters sign trail registers to account for their safe return at the end of a workday.

• Trail Adopters submit their work reports, filled out during a trip, to the Trail Supervisor as soon as possible.

The Trail Supervisor will keep a file for each Trail Adopter and their adopted trail to document progress on trail sections and for detailed, updated trail condition reports.

• Volunteers each receive a copy of the BSP Trail Maintenance Standards that are relevant to their expectations as a Trail Adopter. This will serve as their guideline to refer to when out on the trail in addition to the training day. To deter excessive vehicle traffic and ensure that other Trail Adopters will have parking at park facilities, individuals may have up to a party of four to help on a section of trail and should make plans to arrive in one vehicle.

For more information, please email our Trail Supervisor at [email protected]