Celebrating Our Volunteers
By Jess LaPolla
The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) is at its core a volunteer service organization. We would not exist without the contributions of volunteers who are willing to get their hands dirty, put in long days on the trail, and who truly love the work.
Since 1927, PATC’s mission has been to protect the lands encompassing the Appalachian Trail and the surrounding Mid-Atlantic region. Through conservation and land management, education and outreach programs, and volunteer efforts, we strive to maintain the integrity of outdoor spaces for future generations to enjoy.
Every year we recognize our dedicated volunteers through our Volunteer Awards, which are presented in the fall. In 2024, they were presented at our TrailFest celebration, held in November at Caroline Furnace Camp + Retreat.
The Service Award and Hawksbill Award are given to volunteers who exhibited outstanding volunteer work over the previous year. Each Club Leader may award one Hawksbill Award to one of their volunteers who has shown a remarkable performance over the last year. There is no limit to the number of Service Awards presented and each leader in the club may determine if a volunteer meets their criteria.
We invite you to take a look at our 2024 Hawksbill Award winners and Service Award winners. We are truly grateful to have so many outstanding volunteers within our organization.
You can read about our other awards here.
If you’re interested in volunteering with PATC, we have tons of opportunities for you to get involved. Whether you’d like to be working on a trail section in your area or doing remote work from the comfort of your home, we have opportunities for a variety of positions that may match your skill set. Check out volunteer openings here.
