Trail Stewardship and Community: Volunteer Vacation with the American Hiking Society

Volunteer Vacation- A Week of Serving Others at Camp Ondessonk

Camp Ondessonk had the pleasure of hosting a group of dedicated trail stewards this past week as part of the American Hiking Society’s Volunteer Vacation program. In partnership with Alyssa Macuiba, U.S. Forest Service Wilderness Technician and Volunteer Coordinator on the Shawnee National Forest, Camp became a home base for a crew of volunteer outdoor enthusiasts.

Clearing Trails After Severe Weather

In the wake of recent severe weather, many of Camp Ondessonk’s trails required urgent attention. Over the course of three of their five service days, these trail-loving volunteers rolled up their sleeves to help us clear debris, restore pathways, and maintain safe access across our trail network. Their presence has been a gift to our community and to all future campers and hikers who cherish time in nature.

A New Trail Takes Shape

Today marked an exciting milestone: the group teamed up with Evan Coulson, Coordinator of Strategic Initiatives, to clear the trail corridor for a brand-new connector trail. This trail, thoughtfully laid out by our friends and trail designers at Bike Surgeon, will soon become a vital link in our expanding outdoor adventure offerings.

A Model for Public-Private Partnership in Outdoor Recreation

This Volunteer Vacation with the American Hiking Society effort represents more than trail work alone—it’s a model for how nonprofits, government agencies, and private partners can enrich recreational lands while providing meaningful volunteer engagement experiences. Thanks to our partnership with Alyssa Macuiba and the USFS, we could offer lodging at Camp Ondessonk for the Volunteer Vacation crew, supporting their mission while also benefiting from their hard work and commitment to ensuring continued quality access to natural places.

Click here to learn more about volunteering at Camp Ondessonk.