AMC Boston Young Members

Membership information can be found online, or you can call 617-523-0636, or write: AMC, Membership Department, 5 Joy Street, Boston, MA 02108.

Generally the membership consists of people in their 20s and 30s. Really all you need to be is young at heart!

In addition to hiking, backpacking and camping trips, Young Members sponsors local walks, rollerblading and ice skating excursions, downhill and cross-country skiing trips at area resorts, backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, canoeing, kayaking, road and mountain biking, guided rock and ice climbing, trail work, workshops and trainings. Social events include committee socials, outings to bars and restaurants, card nights, and other group activities.

Most Young Members activities and trips are published on a monthly YM listserv. YM trips fill up very quickly, frequently within two weeks of initial posting. Additional postings appear in the AMC Outdoors and The Charles River Mud.

While membership to the AMC is not required to participate in Young Members trips and activities, it is highly encouraged. Many people "try out" a trip or two and join soon after. Please remember that your $40 annual membership fee supports conservation, education and advocacy programs that help protect the wilderness. You will also receive the club's monthly hardcopy publications, AMC Outdoors and The Charles River Mud.

With close to 2,000 members, Young Members trips are very much in demand, and there are simply not enough leaders to organize them (if you would like to become a leader, please refer to the leader policies). Trips fill up quickly, some in less than 24 hours. Do not sign up for a trip unless you are certain you can participate. If you do try and register for more than one trip on the same day or weekend, make sure to notify the leader of the trip you decide not to do immediately if accepted on another. Likewise, if you need to cancel, please give the leaders at least two weeks' notice. Wait lists are maintained on almost all trips, and there is often quite a bit of attrition. For trips that charge a fee to cover costs, the policies for payment and cancellation are up to the discretion of the leaders. Generally speaking, if you must cancel, you will receive a full refund if your spot can be filled by another participant.

Leaders must ensure that the group has comparable abilities and expectations for the trip. For the safety of all participants, a leader must ask you questions not only about your abilities and fitness level, but he or she must also make certain that you have the proper gear for the trip. If you are screened "off" the trip, don't take it personally. Leaders are often happy to offer suggestions for other trips in which you can gain experience and skills. The Intro Committee of the Boston Chapter also offers a wide variety of beginner trips.

YM leaders are volunteers who have taken leadership trainings, love the outdoors and enjoy sharing their knowledge and skills with others. If you are interested in becoming a leader for Young Members, please refer to the leader policies.

A fee of $5 is charged for many trips and events, generally those that involve much more organization and expenses such as campground fees, meals, equipment rentals, etc. This $5 is budgeted into the total cost of the trip and is not paid separately. It goes directly into the Young Members budget to pay for food and equipment for sponsored activities, to subsidize workshops and trainings and to support conservation efforts. YM is a self-supported committee and only receives partial funding from the Boston Chapter AMC.

You must be a leader or co-leader to lead a trip, such as a backpacking or hiking. You do not have to be a leader to organize a social event or local walk. If you are interested in proposing a social event, please refer to the posting guidelines.

The Steering Committee meets once every two months. Topics include membership, policies, trainings and how to expand Young Members. For more information contact the YM Chair. Their contact info can be found on the contacts list

Depending upon your question or concern there are a number of people you can contact. Please refer to the contacts list.