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2023 Volunteer Program Update


January 26, 2023

There may be snow on the ground but here at Superior Hiking Trail Association, we’re already planning for summer. And we’re not alone. Many eager folk are already asking, “What is the SHTA volunteer event schedule for summer?”

Keep reading find out all of the excellent details (and a hint – this summer is gonna ROCK!).

Register Now: February Volunteer Appreciation Parties

Our first volunteer event of the year will be thanking all our volunteers who performed amazing feats on the Trail in 2022. We want to CELEBRATE all those accomplishments!

Spruce Creek Bridge Abutment Project 2022.
Photo Courtesy of Dan Dorland – D2 Photographic.

Please join us for one of three Volunteer Appreciation Parties. Each party will have cool door prizes including REI hiking gear and SHTA swag. In-person events will also have appetizers and beverages provided by SHTA. We’ll have a short presentation that recaps the year, and we’ll announce a new award program. Get a sneak peak at what’s coming up in 2023, too.


Duluth Area
Saturday, February 4th, noon-2:30 p.m

Twin Cities
Saturday, February 11th, 2-4:30 p.m.

Virtual
Thursday, February 16th, 7-8:30 p.m.

Click to register for the event of your choice.

2023 Volunteer Opportunities: Listings and Webinar

To learn more about our 2023 trail maintenance and volunteer opportunities, keep your eye on the Volunteer Page in late February for a schedule of events. 

We will also host a webinar detailing our 2023 Volunteer Opportunities on Tuesday, March 21st at 7 p.m. Click to register.

First Aid and CPR training

SHTA volunteers Zach Johns (left), Mark Spagnolo (center), and Trail Steward Mackenzie Hogfeldt (right) learn to apply tourniquets during 2022’s First Aid and CPR training.

CPR and First Aid certification is required for all SHTA sawyers and swampers. We also want to highly recommend that any volunteer who can be certified do so. It’s just good practice to have those skills when volunteering or recreating in the outdoors.

To help you do that, the SHTA is offering two classes this spring which, in addition to basic first aid & CPR, will have a small wilderness/outdoor component. (Please note this is not a Wilderness First Aid certification, but basic First Aid and CPR and a little additional info.)

Classes are:

  • March 25 in Circle Pines
  • April 1 in Duluth

The North Country Trail Association is also offering a class in First Aid and CPR on March 11 in the Twin Cities. The NCTA class is only open to VIPs (Volunteers-in-Parks). See more below.

If you are interested in any of these trainings, please contact [email protected] for registration information — put “First Aid/CPR” in the subject line. We will prioritize sawyers and swampers (those who remove debris from the trail after sawyers cut the logs), and all other spots will be filled with adopters and other volunteers as available on a first-come first-served basis. The instructor has asked that folks register by February 28 so that materials can be ordered. 

SHTA Volunteers Qualify for the Volunteers-in-Parks program

Many of you know that being on the SHT is a little bit of a two-fer these days. When you’re on the SHT, you’re also on the North Country Trail, because a few years ago the SHT became an affiliate of the NCT. What you may not know is that the NCT is administered by the National Park Service. Because of that, SHT volunteers are now able to reap the benefits of joining the Volunteers-in-Parks program.

Becoming a VIP has some great benefits. You can find out more about it by visiting our Volunteer Page and scrolling down to “Documents for Existing Volunteers.”

Barbara Budd, SHTA Volunteer and Education Coordinator