Commemorate America’s 250th with a Trail Project Near Boston, MA

***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!

Feel Worlds Away while only Miles Apart from Boston!

Nearby Boston and the surrounding metro area offer a host of great cultural and historical events and attractions, as well as city parks, and a thriving dining scene. The location is located close to a number of beautiful parks and conservation lands, scenic rivers and wetlands, quaint town centers, and national historic sites steeped in history like Minute Man National Park, the Old North Bridge, Walden Pond, and the Louisa May Alcott House. There are ample opportunities for hiking, birdwatching and outdoor exploration within a very short drive. Slightly further out spots that are easily doable for a day trip include beaches along Massachusetts’ North Shore, the foothills of the White Mountains, and Portsmouth NH.

Come volunteer with us at the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex made up of 8 unique refuges spanning the eastern part of the state!

Volunteers will be based out of Assabet River NWR, located in Sudbury MA, about 40 mins outside of Boston, but may spend time volunteering at other refuges in the Complex as well (transportation will be provided to other refuges). Volunteers will help staff to complete a variety of projects including: trail maintenance (clearing trails of vegetation and debris with hand tools, weed whackers, mowers, and leaf blowers), updating signage (repairing, replacing, or installing signs or kiosks), facility maintenance (repairing, painting, or maintaining fences, benches, and other facilities), and invasive species management (learning to identify and remove invasive plant species on and off trail).

Volunteers may also help with other biological projects as needed, depending on weather and staff needs. Volunteers will have a chance to learn about the history and ongoing wildlife management taking place across the Complex.

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 70–75°F and lows of 50–55°F. Mid-September in eastern Massachusetts is mild with cool nights and periodic rain or drizzle as fronts move through.

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 with gratitude that this project takes place on the traditional lands of the Massachusett, Pawtucket, Agawama, and Nipmuc people past and present. We honor the land itself, the Indigenous communities who have stewarded these islands and mountain landscapes for countless generations, and those who continue this stewardship today. This acknowledgement is one step in our ongoing commitment to uplift Indigenous voices. We invite the American Hiking Society community to learn about, support, and stand in solidarity with the Indigenous peoples whose lands we live, work, and recreate on.