Keystone Trails Association
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2026 Trail Care Academy

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Are you ready to take your trail maintenance skills to the next level?  Keystone Trails Association is pleased to announce we're holding a trail maintenance workshop this March. For new and returning volunteers, KTA Trail Care volunteers, hiking club members, etc., --there will be something for everyone.

​Tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), meals, and lodging will be provided. Participation is limited to 14 people. Participants must bring their own leather boots, long pants, water bottle, and, if available, shatterproof safety glasses and work gloves. The session begins Friday evening at 7:00 PM. and concludes Sunday afternoon by 5:00 PM.

Instructors include Lauren Kennedy-Little, the North Country Trail Association's Regional Trail Coordinator for Ohio and Pennsylvania, as well as KTA staff.

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DETAILS:
Where: Stone Valley Recreation Area, Scare Pond Road, Petersburg PA 16669. Google Maps link
When: Friday evening through Sunday 5:00 PM
            -Arrive by 7:00 PM Friday for Orientation

​
Some FAQs:
Q: Does the training include any certification?
A: No.

Q: Can I share a room with another participant?
A: Certainly! The event is capped at 14 people due to the number of cabins and to ensure a safe instructor:student ratio. But you may share a room if you'd like.

 We provide:
  • Safety Helmets*
  • Ear Protection*
  • Eye Protection*
  • Leather Gloves*
    • (*you may bring any of the above- will be inspected for safety, etc.)
  • ​Tools​
  • Lodging (single or double/multiple occupancy)
  • Shared Restroom & Shower Facilities (multi-stall mens/womens)
  • Saturday- breakfast, lunch, dinner
  • Sunday- breakfast, lunch
  • ​Instruction and materials         ​
You bring:
  • Boots (preferably leather/heavy duty)
  • Bedding Materials, Pillow
  • ​Toiletries, Bath Towel
  • Clothing for Indoors/Outdoors
  • ​Notepad/clipboard if desired​
  • Refillable water bottle
  • A great attitude! 
  • If you could bring your own eatingware, it would greatly save plastic and paper waste.
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Trail Workshop Schedule (subject to change):

FRIDAY:
4-7 pm: Participants arrive, get room assignments, mingle, check out trails on site. Dinner on your own.
7-8 pm: Introductions. Expectations for weekend. Snacks!

SATURDAY:
8:30-11:30 AM:
 Introduction to KTA, Trail Care Program, Trail Maintenance Sessions
12:30-5 PM: Rock tools and methods


SUNDAY:
8:30-10:30 AM: Trail Maintenance Sessions
11 AM - 4 PM: Rock moving and placing



Trail Maintenance Sessions this year will 
include trail blazing and marking, tool maintenance and care, and risk management. The major topic this year will be building with rocks: from the safe and effective use of the appropriate tools, to the structures commonly built on trails with rocks, to the art of finding, shaping, modifying, and placing rocks. There will be a mix of indoor and outdoor sessions; schedule will be emailed to participants.


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Lodging and food details (subject to change):

There are a total of 10 cute little heated cabins on site. Half are configured with a double-size bed and futon and half have two or more sets of bunk beds. They also each have a microwave and small fridge. There is a rest room/shower house in the middle.


Single occupancy: first come, first served
Double occupancy: room with someone else you know is registering, or same gender
Commuter: meet us at Stone Valley 

Breakfast will include muffins and pastries, fruit, yogurt, coffee, tea.
Lunch: sandwich fixins (deli meat, cheese, condiments, PB&J), chips, cookie. Please plan to bring your own beverage/water bottle.
​Dinner: Pulled pork and sides from Doan's Bones, iced tea/lemonade.

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​Pricing:
​$100: COMMUTER (includes all meals)
​$175: Trail Care Volunteer DOUBLE OCCUPANCY

​$200: Trail Care Volunteer SINGLE OCCUPANCY
​$225: Non-Trail Care Volunteer DOUBLE OCCUPANCY
​$250: Non-Trail Care Volunteer SINGLE OCCUPANCY

**Trail Care Volunteer = has volunteered prior to 2026 during a KTA Trail Care weekend, Crew, Code Orange, or CPC Weekday Trail Care.

Any questions? Contact KTA Manager of Trail Maintenance: Jenn Ulmer at [email protected] / 570-854-8316.

REGISTER HERE!

  • Registration closes 5:00 PM Monday 03/23/23. No refunds will be issued after this date.
  • ​When KTA receives your payment, you will receive a confirmation email describing your completed reservation. More details will be sent to registrants closer to the training.​
  • Thanks again, and we look forward to seeing you in March!

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  • About
    • News >
      • Newfoundland 2024 Trip Report
      • Newsletter Archive
      • Meet PA Hikers
      • Trail Care Stories
    • Contact
    • About KTA
    • Work For KTA
    • Strategic Plan
    • Volunteer with KTA
    • Our People
    • Our Story
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Press
    • Multimedia
  • GET INVOLVED
    • Advocacy >
      • Protect Hiking and Trails in Pennsylvania
      • Kids Trail Ambassador Program
    • Donate >
      • Monthly Giving: Keep Trails Alive
      • Planned Giving: The Heritage Society
      • Giving for the Future: Endowment Fund
    • Membership
    • Events >
      • America's Most Iconic Trail: Appalachian Trail Hike Series
      • Spring Hiking Weekend 2026
      • International Appalachian Trail 2026
      • Scholarships
  • GET OUTDOORS
    • CLUBS >
      • Hiking Clubs
      • KTA Grants-to-Clubs
      • Report Club Hours
    • South Central Pennsylvania Accessible Adventure Guidebook
    • Accessible Philadelphia
    • Favorite Pennsylvania Hiking Trails
    • KTA Gear Loaner Program
    • Trails
    • Pennsylvania Hiking Trail Trailers
    • Maps
  • Trail Care Program
    • FAQs Trail Care
    • Report a Trail Issue
    • Trail Love Events
    • KTA’s A.T. Section
    • 2026 TCA
    • 2026 Weekday Trail Cares
    • 2026 April/May Cabin Care/ Aid Station
    • #01 WMRT/RGST
  • Hiking Awards
    • Awards Banquet Survey
  • Store
  • 100 Mile Challenge