Tree Planting and Prairie Exploration Along the River, NE
May 31, 2026 - June 6, 2026
Trip Navigation
***Special Promotion*** All trip participants will receive a Fjällräven Kånken R backpack (valued at $100) generously donated by our good friends at Fjällräven. Made from recycled materials and ready for adventure!
Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest is a fantastic representation of the unique Nebraska Sandhills prairie ecosystem. Popular uses of the forest include hunting, fishing, camping and bird watching.
Volunteers will help support restoration efforts at the Steer Creek Campground in the McKelvie National Forest. The campground lost most of its tree cover because of prolonged and heavy flooding. The weather anomaly in the spring of 2020 saturated the tree roots leading to a tree die off. Dead trees have been falling in the campground causing damage. Trees have been cut down, but damage to facilities is still present. Volunteers on this project will help to repair and replacement the campground facilities such as campfire rings, pedestal grills, boards on the picnic tables etc. The Bluejay trail is a 1.4-mile loop that begins and ends at the Steer Creek Campground. Volunteers will help to clear overgrowth and sign the trail. If trees are available from the Forest Service nursery, volunteers will also help replant the campground!
There is no experience needed to join a Volunteer Vacation! Your expert hosts will provide detailed instruction, tool demonstrations, and project oversight throughout the week. All you need is a willing attitude and to be in good physical condition to participate in moderate physical activity for approximately 6-8 hours a day with plenty of breaks, at your own pace. Find out more about what it’s like to join a Volunteer Vacation and other frequently asked questions here.
Avg. Temperature:
Typical weather for this area during this season has highs of about 75–80°F and lows of 50–55°F. Early June on the Nebraska Sandhills tends to be warm with increasing chances of showers and thunderstorms, especially in the afternoons or evenings.
Sample Schedule:
Day 1: Arrival
Typically meet in the afternoon for check in, introductions, orientation, and camp setup. (Time/place TBD)
Day 2: Work Day
Enjoy a hearty breakfast, pack lunches, and be on the trail between 8 AM and 9 AM
Lunch and plenty of other breaks will be included.
Wrap up the work day in the late afternoon and head back to camp and enjoy a few hours of daylight for free time.
Reconvene at a chosen time for dinner.
After dinner has been cleaned up, evenings offer plenty of time to relax, sit around the campfire and get to know your fellow crew members, or enjoy more free time.
Day 3: Work Day
Day 4: Rest Day (Specific Day on Trip Will Be Confirmed By Host)
Your choice! Explore the area, take a recreational hike, tour local attractions, or hang out at camp. Group excursions can be planned or set-out on your own.
Day 5: Work Day
Day 6: Work Day
Day 7: Departure
Pack up and clean up, celebrate your accomplishments, wish each other a fond farewell, and depart. Please note: This schedule is subject to change due to weather or other circumstances. Any updates will be communicated to the group.
Land Acknowledgment:
AHS acknowledges that this project takes place on the traditional lands of the Tséstho’e (Cheyenne), Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, and Pâri (Pawnee) peoples, past and present. We honor the land, the Indigenous communities who have stewarded it for generations, and those who continue this stewardship today. This land acknowledgement is a first step in our commitment to uplift Indigenous voices, and we invite the American Hiking Society community to continue learning about and supporting the Indigenous peoples whose lands we live, work, and recreate on.
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