Join our team! Volunteers-In-Parks (VIPs) are Very Important People! North Country National Scenic Trail (Trail), volunteers help the NPS develop, build, and maintain the Trail; inform and educate the public; and preserve, protect, and maintain both natural and cultural resources. The Trail’s VIP program is co-managed by the NPS and the North Country Trail Association (NCTA). As a VIP, you would be joining a group of more than 100,000 others who donate their time and talents to the NPS! Volunteering with the Trail is a great way to become or stay physically active, find solace and relief from everyday pressures and stress through nature-based activities, meet new people, use your skills to protect important resources and create opportunities for others, gain new skills, and share in a sense of pride and accomplishment by contributing to the success of the nation’s longest national scenic trail that exists for all the world to enjoy and benefit from. As a thank you for your service, you are eligible to attend certain skills and leadership training, earn recognition items based on hours of service, and receive the America the Beautiful Volunteer Pass (if you do not already possess a Senior Pass, Access Pass, or Military Pass.) If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the interest form on NCTA’s website or contact the volunteer program manager at 616-302-9842. The NCTA Volunteer Resource Center has additional information for aspiring and current volunteers. 
NPS For Current VolunteersThe NCT Volunteer Safety Handbook was designed as a collaborative effort between the NPS, NCTA, and various chapter and affiliate leaders. Please share this important safety resource with all volunteers in your area. Having fun and enjoying the trail safely is important. Professionalism in the Workforce Respective Commitments to an Exemplary Volunteers-In-Parks Program on the North Country National Scenic Trail
“When a VIP agrees to share his talents, skills and interests with the National Park Service, he is paying us one of the highest compliments possible by offering a most valued possession – his time.”
George B. Hartzog, Jr. made this statement on November 17, 1970 in a letter to all regional directors announcing the new Volunteers-In-Parks program. Director Hartzog led the National Park Service from 1964 to 1972. During his tenure, 70 sites were added to the National Park System and he championed historic preservation, urban recreation, interpretation and environmental education. Director Hartzog recognized the need to make it easier for citizens to donate, without compensation, their time and talents to the NPS and pushed through legislation creating the Volunteers-In-Parks Program. Director’s Order #7 addresses the Volunteers-In-Parks Program on a service-wide level of the NPS. It professionalizes the volunteer workforce and provides volunteers access to some of the same benefits enjoyed by regular government employees—specifically injury and tort protection. NPS managers have a commitment to volunteers to provide orientation, training, and other support in volunteers’ efforts to help accomplish the NPS Mission. Volunteers have a commitment to NPS managers to follow established policies and procedures while engaged in these activities. The North Country National Scenic Trail (NST) Volunteers-In-Parks Program is unique in its composition and execution when compared to other national parks. Because the trail is so widespread, volunteer numbers so large, and direct interaction between NPS staff and volunteers so limited, the North Country NST places an extremely high level of trust in all volunteers to work and act autonomously while meeting the professional standards of the NPS. When volunteers are on the Trail and in the surrounding communities, they represent not only themselves, their trail chapter or affiliate group—they represent the NPS as well. The North Country NST and the volunteers must forever strive to support and assist one another to maintain professional standards in all that we individually and collectively do. The North Country NST respects and values all volunteers as equal partners in accomplishing the mission of the Trail. The North Country NST’s commitment to volunteers is to maximize the quantity and quality of training opportunities, make all efforts to provide for a safe and productive work environment, and to maintain standards of conduct for the benefit of everyone. The volunteers’ commitment to the North Country NST is to demonstrate good faith effort in adhering to NPS policies, standards and procedures, and conduct themselves in manners befitting the NPS Volunteers-In-Parks Program.
Although infrequent, there exists the potential for volunteers to act outside of established policies—either innocently or deliberately. Volunteers must realize it is not an option to volunteer on the NCNST and ignore these policies.
It is the responsibility of all volunteers to assist one another in communicating and fostering a positive work environment in keeping with established policies, which creates an exemplary Volunteers-In-Parks Program for all involved. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the Superintendent to ensure application and adherence to policies in order to maintain a safe, professional and productive work environment. In cases of simple human error (i.e., unintentional mistakes, failure to recognize risks, unfamiliarity with approved practices or standards, etc.), upon discovery:
Tailgate Safety SeriesThese safety tailgates are available to volunteers and trail users to help ensure a safe experience. The series covers various safety topics to review before a volunteer workday or an outing on the trail. Safety topics: Chainsaws, driving, general hiking, hazardous materials, heat disorders, hike leaders, hydration, hypothermia, insects/snakes/animals, lyme disease prevention, thunderstorms, and potentially violent personal encounters.Volunteer Stories |
Last updated: September 30, 2021