Volunteers are the backbone of SMT.
There are many ways to get involved, and we hope you find an opportunity that suits your schedule and interests.
Below are all the volunteer roles on our Trail Crew.
For single-day volunteer events, check out the calendar here.
Love our local trails? Adopt one! Trail Stewards work independently on their adopted trails several times per year to clear drains, cut corridor, and check trail conditions. SMT provides training, tools, and ongoing support. Trail Stewards are truly the heart and soul of our beloved trail systems.
Crew Leads are trained to help SMT lead other volunteers. More crew leads means more capacity at volunteer events, which means more trail work completed.
Crew Leaders support SMT staff in leading safe, engaging experiences for volunteers during trail work events like Shindigs and Mini Digs. They guide small volunteer groups, providing support, delivering safety talks and task demonstrations, and helping ensure high-quality trail work is completed. This role is ideal for more experienced volunteers who enjoy leadership, hands-on trail work, and building community while giving back to the trails they love.
Strike Team members are highly trained volunteers who support SMT staff with more technical projects, such as advanced rock work, trail feature construction, erosion control structures, and other trail improvements.
This role has a higher level of commitment, with members required to attend a minimum number of biweekly work sessions on Thursday mornings from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.
No prior experience is required; all training is provided. This program is ideal for volunteers who want to build technical skills, enjoy challenging hands-on work, and be part of a tight-knit team, all while making a lasting impact on local trails.
The heroic SMT Poo Crew keeps trailheads clean and welcoming by maintaining dog waste stations at Arkansas Hills and Methodist Mountain Trailheads. Poo Crew volunteers work independently to restock dog waste bags, empty trash cans, and report any station needs to SMT staff. All supplies are provided by SMT. This is a low time commitment option to give back to our trails in a big way.
SMT’s classic “Dig Day”, Shindigs are a Saturday trail work party! Hosting up to 18 volunteers and lasting from 8am to 2 pm, Shindigs tackle larger, labor-intensive projects like building up trail features, social trail closures, and more. No experience necessary—SMT staff and Volunteer Crew Leads provide all of the technical support and guidance you need! After the work is done, everyone enjoys time together over sandwiches and refreshing drinks - generously donated by Sweeties Sandwich Shop, Soulcraft Brewing, and High's Liquor. Check our event calendar for specific dates and locations!
Mini Digs are smaller work events, capped at 12 volunteers and held on Thursday evenings (May–September) from 5:30–7:30 pm. Anyone can join—no experience needed! Work is light-duty, easy to access, and usually includes maintenance tasks such as raking, clearing drains, and opening up corridor. Build skills in a safe, welcoming environment while connecting with our trail community, and having fun! Join us afterward for social time and a complimentary beverage, generously donated by the Biker and the Baker!
