What Is a Trail Crew Leader?
If you have ever attended a trail maintenance day you have seen our trail crew leaders in action. NEMBA Trail Crew Leaders are the people with the know how to lead volunteers at maintenance days and make sure that the project is executed properly. Trail Crew Leaders vary in the amount of experience they have. New trail crew leaders will master the basic techniques needed to install rolling grade dips, knicks, bench cutting and will be able to oversee a four to six person crew of volunteers at a maintenance day.

Why is this Training Important?
As you may know, trail maintenance is an important part of what we offer to land managers at the parks we ride in. Land Managers like working with NEMBA because we are so self sufficient. In Greater Boston, we plan all the work, secure the funding, bring the tools and most importantly, have trained leaders available to oversee the volunteers. Other groups rely on the land manager to manage their volunteers and as a result are less valuable to the park.

If I attend this Training, what will I be expected to do?
Newly trained Trail Crew Leaders will be expected to volunteer for a minimum of two Greater Boston NEMBA trail maintenance days this year. As a member of the program, you will receive group emails about upcoming events and will be asked to commit to attending at least a week in advance so that the people organizing the event can count on you and match your skills with the tasks available. This program is open to Members only but you do not need to be affiliated with the Greater Boston Chapter to participate.

What will I be expected to do at events?
The most important thing you will do is show up. For the most part new Trail Crew Leaders will always work under the supervision of more experienced Leaders. You will be responsible for making sure volunteers are productive, happy and safe. You will also be able to guide them in the correct way to carry out their tasks.

How do I sign up?
If you have already attended a NEMBA Trail Building School in the past and are interested in this program, send an email to Tom Grimble and let me know that you want to participate and that you have already been trained.

Trail work events:
See the list of 2008 planned trail work events here.