General information
Trip DIFFICULTY
We offer a variety of trips throughout the summer. Trips are broken down to account for difficulty of the work vs. difficulty of the hike, as these two ratings are not always the same.
Hike. Easy trips usually consist of less than 5 miles hiking with little elevation gain. Moderate trips are 5-10 miles to camp with more than 1000ft elevation gain. Strenuous trips either account for longer miles or have a significant amount of elevation gain in a short distance.
Work. Easy work consists of campsite inventories, surveys, minor lopping, or pulling weeds. Moderate work consists of longer days, infrequent digging, uneven terrain. Strenuous work consists of consistent trail work such as sawing or swinging a hand tool.
What to Pack
Volunteers are required to provide their own backpacking gear. This list provides a good starting point. If you do not have something, just let us know and we may be able to help!
Safety
The safety of our staff, volunteers, and partners is our number one goal. GBCA trip leaders hold current Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid certificates and carry a satellite communication device that allows for emergency communications. Working and traveling in remote areas involves risk. GBCA trip leaders will conduct a safety briefing at the start of each trip. As a group, volunteers and trip leaders will assess potential risks and hazards, and determine ways to mitigate risks before entering the field. Please review the General Field Risk Assessment Form below to familiarize yourself with potential risks. GBCA will provide safety equipment, such as eye protection and gloves depending on the project.
The Great Burn is bear country. Groups will practice leave no trace principles and carry bear spray.
Risk Assessment Form
The Seven Principles of Leave No Trace
FREQUENTLY Asked Questions
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Anyone under the age of 18 MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Use your best judgment when choosing a trip. Keep in mind the difficulty/length of travel and the project.
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Great Burn Conservation Alliance trips are FREE. Each volunteer will be required to make a 100% refundable deposit to secure a trip spot. A lot of planning goes into these trips, and we need to make sure you’re committed! If you are unable to make a deposit, please reach out to volunteer@greatburn.org
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A lot of time and effort goes into planning our volunteer stewardship trips. So when you sign up for a trip, make sure you plan on attending! However, we understand that life happens and sometimes you may not be able to make it. In this case, deposits will be fully refunded if cancellation occurs 3 weeks before your scheduled trip. Otherwise, your deposit will be counted as a donation to GBCA.
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Yes! You should receive two emails after you register: a confirmation email and one within a few days of your registration from our volunteer coordinator with more information on your specific trip.
Finally, one of the GBCA trip leaders will contact participants 1-2 weeks before your scheduled trip.
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Yes! Whether you’re a student in need of community service hours or need to complete court-ordered community service for a non-violent offense, you can earn your hours on a volunteer project.
Please contact volunteer@greatburn.org for more information.
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In most cases, GBCA provides breakfast and dinner on all trips. Participants are responsible for their own lunch. We can accommodate for dietary restrictions, just make sure to let us know!
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Sorry dogs are not allowed on the volunteer trips.
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Each volunteer group has a Garmin InReach device and is required to check in daily with GBCA admin. In the event of an emergency or if there are circumstances where a volunteer needs to be reached while in the field please contact GBCA Executive Director Hayley Newman at hayley@greatburn.org, 406-546-2329.
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At GBCA, we are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all volunteers and members of our staff. The GBCA is committed to maintaining a work environment free from all forms of discrimination regarding its employees, contractors, donors, volunteers, customers, or any other person. The specific forms of discrimination prohibited by GBCA policy are those based on race, sex, gender, religion, age, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, sexual preference, physical or mental disability, marital status, and political beliefs.
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Alcohol: Volunteers over the age of 21 participating in a GBCA stewardship trip are welcome to bring a small amount of alcohol ONLY if it is consumed responsibly. Alcohol should only be consumed after work hours and in a manner in which you are able to work the following day. Please avoid glass bottles.
Firearms: Firearms and other weapons are strictly prohibited on GBCA stewardship trips. Trip leaders carry bear spray and GBCA encourages volunteers to carry their own.
Marijuana and other Drugs: Marijuana is now legal in Montana but it is still ILLEGAL in Idaho and on federal lands including Forest Service lands where all GBCA led stewardship projects and trips take place. Other illegal drugs are also prohibited on GBCA trips. Anyone participating on a trip is a Forest Service volunteer under a working agreement. Drug use violates that agreement and could leave you liable for any injury, loss or other issue that occurs.