Teens Have Chance to Volunteer on Trails

Throughout January, Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship will host “Teens on Trails Month”, a series of free, youth-only trail work events across the county to get kids outside and involved in the magic of trail stewardship.

SCMTS is a nonprofit trail stewardship behind popular trails in parks like Wilder and Pogonip, and their team has deep expertise in building and maintaining trails throughout the region. These Teens on Trails events will fill up fast.

At each event, students will learn about native species and ecological functions, get involved in trail maintenance activities, and connect with SCMTS’ professional team to learn about career opportunities in the outdoors. They’ll also earn community service hours, have fun and win some prizes.

Students do not need to have any prior trail work experience in order to attend. They simply need to show up in sturdy shoes and long pants, and bring their own water and a good attitude. SCMTS staff will teach students all they need to know.

Spending time in the outdoors can transform a young mind, and ignites a sense of adventure and connection to nature. Kids will learn all about trails, make new friends, and win some awesome prizes. They’ll also learn about nature within the Santa Cruz Mountains and find inspiration to become caretakers of this land.”

On Martin Luther King Day of Service, January 16, SCMTS is hosting a larger Students’ Dig Day event and celebration at DeLaveaga Park. Dig Days are SCMTS’s flagship events, where the entire day is catered and there is a raffle at the end. Dig Days are typically six hours long, making them the perfect event for the weekday school holiday.

At the end of January, all participants will be invited to an ice cream social to celebrate their hard work.

These events are free to attend. Check out the list of events at santacruztrails.org/tot.

Saturday, Jan. 7 at Arana Gulch
Saturday, Jan. 14 at University Connector Trail
Monday, Jan. 16 MLK Day of Service Dig Day at DeLaveaga Park
Saturday, Jan. 21 at Watsonville Slough Trails
Saturday, Jan. 28 at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park