Alumni Survey: Collecting a Decade of Memories from Youth Volunteer Vacations

Youth volunteers enjoying a week on trail in 2007 (left) and 2016 (right). Photo by WTA staff.

Preparing for the next ten years

Over the past ten summers, more than 800 teens from across the state have spent a week on trail camping and volunteering as part of WTA’s youth volunteer vacation program. During the week, teens not only learn the art of trail stewardship, but are given the opportunity to connect with others who share similar passions, and improve on skills such as teamwork and responsibility.

To memorialize these past ten years of incredible youth service, we're conducting a nationwide search to hear from our youth alumni. As a thank you, all survey participants will be entered to win a limited edition WTA Stanley insulated cup, a collection of Green Trails Maps, as well as an $25 REI gift card.

"I've been inspired by their hard work and abundance of energy..."

Krista Dooley, WTA’s Youth Programs Director, has been making memories with the Youth Volunteer Vacation participants since serving as a crew leader in 2007.

“It has been an honor to work with so many great high school students over the last ten years," she says. "I have been inspired by their hard work and abundance of energy even in challenging weather conditions. As a crew leader, by the end of each week I always felt like I learned something new from the volunteers and hopefully they did too. Some trail projects can be difficult or mundane, but working outdoors as a team creates great opportunities to get to know youth volunteers and learn more about their interests and aspirations. I always love the diversity of interests and experiences of volunteers that makes each crew so unique.”

Many of our youth volunteers have gone on to become an ambassador, intern or crew leader with WTA, while others went on to volunteer with other outdoor programs or joined environmental clubs. A few of our participants, including Anna Silver and Elizbeth Hoppman, have written about experiences with WTA.

Since WTA formally launched the youth vacation program ten years ago we know the volunteer experience has impacted program participants in numerous ways, and we’d love to learn more.

Joined us on a Youth Volunteer Vacation? Take the survey!

We are looking for volunteers who participated on a youth volunteer vacation from 2007-2016, as well as their families, to share their experience with us. Your feedback will be used to improve our youth programming for years to come.

Complete this 10-minute survey below by January 10 and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a limited edition WTA Stanley insulated cup, a collection of Green Trails Maps, as well as an $25 REI gift card.