FIND YOUR PATH
Wonder how you might fit into the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club?
The Appalachian Trail depends on more than trail crews. Writers, photographers, educators, technology volunteers, event organizers, leaders, and many others all play an important role in supporting the Trail and the hiking community.
Explore the opportunities below and discover how your interests, experience, and skills can help advance GATC’s mission.
Photo by Ron Hamlin
- I want to learn about trail maintenance.
- I want to help protect the trail.
- I enjoy communications and storytelling.
- I enjoy technology and systems.
- I enjoy finance and banking.
- I enjoy educating, informing, and trail events.
- I enjoy hiking, backpacking, and other outdoor activities.
- I enjoy mentoring youth, young adults, or underserved communities.
- I enjoy organizing and leading.
Trail Maintainers needed – The Georgia Appalachian Trail Club maintains over 130 miles of trails in Georgia, including all of the Appalachian Trail, many associated side trails, the Approach Trail, Hike Inn Trail, and the Duncan Ridge Trail.
Those trails are divided into 11 districts, each managed by a district leader. The districts are further divided into sections, maintained by one or more maintainers. The Georgia Appalachian Trail Club has about 200 maintainers among its membership.
Maintainers make regular trips to their section to maintain water diversion structures, cut weeds and intruding plant growth, refresh the painted blazes, and remove any obstructions on the trail. Larger, more difficult projects that require additional volunteers or specialized skills are handled during monthly club work trips or other special trips.
There is a need for special skills, too. If you have construction or carpentry skills, the shelters, signs, and other structures on the trail occasionally need repair or replacement.
To learn more, email trails_supervisor@georgia-atclub.org.
Trail Ambassadors needed – Trail Ambassadors interact with hikers through conversations while on day-hike patrols or on longer backpacking trips between Amicalola Falls State Park and Bly Gap, where the A.T. enters North Carolina. They can also be found at popular trailheads throughout the year, offering day hikers advice and assistance. Every spring, as thru hiker season begins, Trail Ambassadors staff Basecamp at Amicalola Falls State Park, talking to hikers about Leave No Trace best practices and distributing ATC hang tags.
For more information about how you can help, write to ta-admin@georgia-atclub.org.
COMMUNICATIONS TEAM
Help tell the story of our club through the monthly Georgia Mountaineer newsletter, the Mountaineer Quarterly print magazine, and email and social media blasts. We are looking for people to fill the following roles:
- Editors: Help shape and refine content across all publications, ensuring clear, consistent, and engaging storytelling from draft to publication. (2-4 hours per month)
- Proofreaders: Be our final set of eyes before publication, catching typos and small errors across newsletters, magazines, emails, and social posts. (2-3 hours per month)
- Reporters/Writers: Enjoy storytelling? Cover events, interview members, and write engaging pieces for the Georgia Mountaineer, the Mountaineer Quarterly, and digital features. (On Demand)
- Photographers/Photo Editors: Capture and edit images that bring our stories to life across print, digital publications, and email and social media channels. (2-4 hours per month)
- Graphic Designers: Create eye-catching layouts and graphics that elevate our newsletter, magazine, and digital communications. (On Demand)
Flexible time commitment. Big impact. Help connect our community through great communication.
Contact the Communications Director at comm_dir@georgia-atclub.org and let us know which role interests you and your availability— monthly, quarterly, or on-demand.
WEB/TECH COMMITTEE
We are looking for members interested in helping operate the website and manage the Club’s Google Workspace. If you’d like to help the club from the comfort of wherever you are, this is the place for you! Whether you have experience or want to learn, email webmaster@georgia-atclub.org.
TREASURER COMMITTEE
Tag Grant Reporter (Trail/Grant Finance Support): Each year, the Club applies for and is awarded grants from the Georgia A.T. license plate program. These tag grants come with reporting requirements, and we are looking for someone to support tag grant reporting by organizing receipts, summarizing purchases, and completing the required reports. Time commitment of 1–2 hours per week during active grant periods.
Investment / Reserves & Finance Advisor (Planning Support): Provide periodic input on reserve planning, cash management, and investment considerations by reviewing options and helping document recommendations. Estimated time: 1–2 hours per month.
Send an email to treasurer@georgia-atclub.org to learn how you can help.
INFORMATION AND EDUCATION
More commonly referred to as Info and Ed, we’re looking for a few good people to help with the communications aspect of Info and Ed. The time commitment is minimal, but important. We need people who can help in the following areas:
- Respond to emails from the general public that come into the Info and Ed mailbox;
- Work with our members who lead events that fall under the Info and Ed umbrella and ensure that a brief article has been written and submitted to our newsletter editor (with Photos) about said event;
- Periodic review of the GATC website content specific to Info and Ed to ensure that it is current and relevant.
If you’re interested in helping with any of these, please contact the director at info_dir@georgia-atclub.org.
JOIN OUR ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE!
We’re looking for outdoors enthusiasts to help plan and lead great experiences for our community.
Trip Leaders: Lead day hikes, backpacking trips, kayaking outings, or other adventures. You’ll enjoy this role if you:
- Love the outdoors (interests like history, wildflowers, or photography are a plus but not required)
- Want to share favorite trails and inspire others
- Can commit to 3–4 hikes per year
- Are interested in A.T. or BMT series hikes (optional but appreciated)
Trip Organizers: Prefer not to lead hikes but know the area’s trails? Help plan and schedule our annual hike calendar. Time commitment: 4–6 hours/month (varies). A great option for people who enjoy planning and keeping things running smoothly.
Trips Scheduling Coordinator: Help track and update all scheduled hikes. Time commitment: 2–4 hours/month. Perfect for someone who likes logistics and keeping details organized.
If you’re interested in helping with any of these, please send an email to activities@georgia-atclub.org.
OUTREACH
The Outreach team is seeking Hike Leaders for our Len Foote Hike Inn overnight hikes. These hikes are organized to help introduce youth and groups who are often under-represented in the outdoors to the enjoyment and stewardship of our natural resources. This role may involve trip planning with organization leaders and leading groups as large as 30 individuals to and from the Hike Inn. Overnight accommodations at the Hike Inn are provided. All youth hike leaders must pass a criminal background check. Contact outreach@georgiaatclub. org for more information.
The Outreach team is seeking a Chair for our College and Student Outreach. This role focuses on engaging students, both at the collegiate and K-12 grade level in environmental education programs with the purpose of developing an appreciation for the outdoors and conservation efforts. This role will be responsible for building partnerships and seeking opportunities to conduct experiential learning programs on the trail or in the classroom with K-12 grades, colleges and universities. Contact outreach@georgia-atclub.org for more information.
The Outreach team is seeking members for a new Leave No Trace committee. This committee will organize ongoing LNT training for the club, respond to requests for LNT training from partners, create social media posts and newsletter articles and assist with public messaging. Anticipated commitment is approximately 5-10 hours per month. Contact outreach@georgia-atclub.org for more information.
MEMBER ENGAGEMENT
Member engagement is looking for local chapter captains in the following areas:
- Decatur/East Atlanta
- Brookhaven/Dunwoody/Sandy Springs
- Smyrna/Vinings
- Alpharetta/Roswell/Milton
- Dahlonega
- Blairsville
Responsibilities include organizing an informal get-together at a local brewery, coffee house or another interesting location; emailing invitations to members living in the area; posting the event on the website, and coordinating with the board to have a board member attend. Commitment is to host 1 – 2 events per year. Contact president@georgia-atclub.org for more information.