These dog days of summer are the perfect time to read what the Boston Chapter’s been up to during the past few months. Learn about our outstanding volunteer leaders and how you, too, can become one; recent local AMC150 events; a myriad of Family Outing activities; and vital Conservation information ahead of the November election.
Chapter Chair’s Corner
By Jesse Waites
This One’s for the Volunteers
Volunteers are the heart of organizations such as the Appalachian Mountain Club. They give their time, energy, and experience not because they are paid, but because they care deeply about the outdoors and the communities that form around it. Whether leading a hike, organizing an event, maintaining a trail, teaching a new skill, or helping behind the scenes, volunteers make so much of what AMC does possible.
This commitment is especially meaningful because it comes from a genuine desire to give back. AMC volunteers do it because they love spending time outdoors, sharing that experience with others, and helping people feel comfortable and welcome in outdoor spaces. That spirit of service is something that makes the AMC community so special.
Volunteers also play an important role in passing knowledge from one generation of outdoor enthusiasts to the next. Experienced leaders help newer participants learn the skills they need to hike, climb, paddle, bike, ski, and explore more confidently. In the process, volunteers create opportunities for people to meet one another, develop friendships, and become part of a larger community built around a shared appreciation for the outdoors.
Leadership Training
Volunteering can also be an opportunity for personal growth. Many AMC volunteers begin simply by participating in activities and eventually decide they want to become more involved. Leadership training helps members develop practical outdoor expertise, communication skills, risk management knowledge, and the confidence needed to lead activities of their own.
People who share these values tend to enjoy being around one another, and the friendships that grow out of this community can be as meaningful as the activities themselves. Some of my dearest friends, and even my wife, are people I met through the AMC!
If you enjoy participating in AMC activities and are interested in giving back, becoming a volunteer leader is a great way to take the next step. The Boston Chapter regularly offers leadership training opportunities for members who want to become more involved and help create great outdoor experiences for others.
To be notified about future leadership trainings, please fill out the form at the link below:
Hiking in the Blue Hills
By Susan Gilbert, edex.edit@verizon.net
As newsletter Editor, I rarely write articles from a personal perspective because I believe it’s my role to publish contributions from my fellow Boston Chapter members. And I always welcome input from everyone (hint, hint!).
However, I feel obligated to share my experience earlier this summer hiking in the Blue Hills, and commend the fantastic trip leaders, Michael Glicksman and Anne Berlin.
The Hike
The day started hot and humid. And got even hotter and more humid as the day progressed. Although classified as an “Easy” hike of only 3 miles, the elevation gain—always my bête noir—was more than 800 feet.
Hikers Ascending to Blue Hills Summit
Leader Michael did an excellent job pre-screening me several days before the hike, explaining that although AMC guidelines classified this as an “Easy” hike, due to the elevation gain, it was quite challenging. However, I was stubborn and determined.
Turns out, I’d overestimated my ability, and struggled almost immediately on our ascent. Mike graciously offered to let me return, and walk me back to my car. Again, I was stubborn and determined.
While ascending, I was exhausted, drenched in sweat, and needed extra breaks to keep up with my fellow hikers. To accommodate my situation, the trip leaders—unbeknownst to me—rerouted our trip to lower the elevation gain to 600 feet, in order that I could successfully reach the summit. (I learned this only after I’d returned home, and received co-leader Anne’s lovely post-event email, thanking us all for a great trip, and providing our hiking statistics.)
I sincerely commend the leadership, responsibility, and professionalism of the trip leaders for their flexibility in accommodating my limitations, enabling me to complete the hike and ascend to the Blue Hills peak. Kudos to them both, and to all the other hikers who agreed to our route alteration!
Boston Skyline View from Atop Blue Hills
AMC150 Events
The AMC 150 Relay is a 2,000-mile journey from Virginia to Maine, with the AMC community hiking, biking, paddling, and completing trail work along the way to celebrate 150 years of connection in the outdoors.
Local Walk Around Blue Hills’ Ponkapoag Pond Honors AMC150
This summer, the Local Walks Committee sponsored a hike around Ponkapoag Pond in the Blue Hills to celebrate 150 years of the AMC.
The relay flag—signed by all the leaders from Maryland to Massachusetts—had arrived from Borderland State Park (via a 20-mile trail run!). After this trip, the flag was heading to Worcester and then back to the Blue Hills before heading north to New Hampshire and Maine.
Ponkapoag Pond Hikers Proudly Display AMC150 Flag
The Ponkapoag Trail is a scenic route with splendid view of the pond. This 4-mile path loops around the entirety of the pond, and provides a peaceful and scenic walk. “This was a great outing on a beautiful day,” said former Executive Committee member-at-large David Garrison.
Trip co-leader Yiping Wang said, “The AMC is an organization that introduced me to the outdoors, with hiking and rock climbing, and I try to find ways to give back.”
Cindy Crosby, trip leader and AMC Regional Director, added, “I am absolutely thrilled that we had this great turnout!”
Canoeing and Kayaking at Ponkapoag Pond Celebrates AMC150
In June, the Paddling Committee teamed up with the Family Outings Committee for a fun day of canoeing and kayaking on Ponkapoag Pond in the Blue Hills.
Adults and kids alike spent time on the water, and explored the cabins and activities at Ponkapoag Camp in honor of the AMC’s 150th anniversary flag relay. “We gave the relay flag a nice little tour of the pond before it headed into Boston and points north!,” says Family Outings Chair Heather McCurdy.
The AMC150 Flag Sails Ahead!
AMC’s Ponkapoag Camp is open year-round, and offers a variety of cabins to rent with comfy mattresses, with access to canoes, kayaks, and swimming when warm. To learn more, visit their website: https://ponkapoagcamp.org/.
Family Outings Group Enjoys Fun-Filled Summer
The Family Outings Committee had a busy summer! Committee Leaders organized numerous activities geared toward families with children of all ages. Specifically, families:
- Hiked to, and stayed overnight, in White Mountain huts, as well as camped, day hiked, and paddled together. “It’s amazing to see kids connect and learn together through these experiences,” says Jaime Itani.
Family Members Enjoy the Water
- Met for a hiking weekend in Crawford Notch, NH, staying at the Shapleigh Bunkhouse the first night. The next morning, families enjoyed the delicious breakfast buffet served at the Highland Center before the 3-mile hike up to the Mizpah Springs Hut for their second night. “The Mizpah Springs Hut “croo” served us homemade meals and entertained us with humorous skits and presentations about how they transport supplies to and from the hut,” adds Jaime.
- Spent a weekend camping and hiking in Franconia Notch, NH at the Lafayette Place Campground. The group hiked up to visit the Lonesome Lake Hut during the day and, in the evening, feasted on s’mores! During downtime, all the kids enjoyed the campsite’s fun playground.
Vote for the Outdoors—MA Ballot Question 6
This November, Massachusetts voters will decide on Question 6: The Natural Resource Conservation Fund.
The AMC is proud to support this ballot measure alongside the Mass Audubon, The Nature Conservancy, The Trustees of Reservations, Trust for Public Land, and the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance.
What It Does
Question 6 would create a new “Nature for All Fund” by dedicating a portion of the sales tax Massachusetts already collects on sporting goods to conservation, water health, and outdoor recreation—no new or increased taxes. The Fund would generate up to $100 million a year, and a public oversight board would approve all spending.
Why It Matters to AMC Members
This would be the largest dedicated funding source for conservation and outdoor recreation in state history—supporting new and improved trails, and providing permanent protection for forests and wetlands, river and stream restoration, and parks. It’s the kind of sustained investment that keeps the trails we hike, paddle, and volunteer protected for the long term.
How You Can Help
To assist with this ballot initiative:
- Learn more about Question 6.
- Register to vote or check your registration.
- Sign up for campaign updates and volunteer opportunities.
- Talk to fellow members and neighbors about why Question 6 matters.
Thank you for your consideration and for being part of AMC’s advocacy for the outdoors.
Any questions? Contact Anna Darrow, AMC New England Policy Manager, adarrow@outdoors.org.
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