At AMC, we’re nothing without our passionate volunteer community. We say it so often, it can sound cliche—but that’s because it’s true. Volunteers share their passion and knowledge with their communities and show others what it means to Be Outdoors. From the chapter trip leaders helping new members to volunteer trail teams to the committee chairs working hard behind the scenes: we thank you.
In celebration of Volunteer Appreciation Week, we asked six volunteer leaders to share their experiences. For each of them, making a difference was just the start. They spoke of the friendships made along the way, the personal growth, and the skills learned. And, of course, all the quality time outdoors.
Feeling inspired? Now’s your chance to get involved!
Courtesy of Selene Berube.
Selene Berube
Chapter: New Hampshire
Role: Chapter Chair, former 20’s and 30’s Committee Chair
How did you begin volunteering with AMC?
I graduated college in December 2020, moved home, and by April of 2021 my dad was absolutely SICK of me complaining about not having friends to hike with. He had been an AMC member since the 80s, a mountaineer and hiker, so he pushed me to look on AMC’s website and see what group activities they had.
The only one that sounded appealing was the New Hampshire chapter’s leadership training. So, I took that and then went on to pursue the path to becoming a three-season hike leader for that year.
Then I just became really passionate about getting people together. I assumed the role of the New Hampshire Chapter’s 20s & 30s Chair and went full throttle with building that group up.
Do you have a favorite memory from your time with AMC?
Attending our 20s & 30s Joe Dodge Lodge annual winter weekend this year was a surreal experience. This was my third year attending the event, and each year it gets bigger and better. This year it was very clear that this was the culmination of all the smaller events and weekends we hosted throughout the year. I hosted at least eight rock climbing nights, a few camping weekends, at least six weeknight hikes, a backpacking trip, and then our other leaders hosted events as well.
Seeing everyone gather together was INCREDIBLY rewarding as it made me feel like putting in hours of planning and trip execution were worth it, as we now have a solid and welcoming community of 20s & 30s in New Hampshire.
What has volunteering meant to you?
I can pursue a passion that can help others pursue theirs. I love seeing the effect that volunteering has on people and/or the community in which it’s done. My full-time job pays my bills, but my volunteer work fills gaps in my life that directly translate into finding community for those searching for it like I had just three years ago.
Courtesy of Xiaoyu Chen
Xiaoyu Chen
Chapter: Boston
Role: Director of the Rock Program, Mountaineering Committee
How did you begin volunteering with AMC?
I took the Rock Program in April 2022, which was really transformative! I took the program because I wanted to become more self-sufficient. The program exceeded all expectations in the sense that it not only opened doors to a whole new world of climbing but also to a welcoming community. That feeling of empowerment was exhilarating, especially when shared by others!
After the Rock Program, I continued meeting more people in the community, and we started talking about the kinds of events we wanted to organize and the changes we wanted to see. Experienced volunteers pulled me in and empowered me to start by co-leading gym nights, and it all took off from there. It was a small gesture, but it made me feel valued as a new member of the community.
What has volunteering meant to you?
Above all, community. I want to continue to foster and give back to the community that welcomed me. In addition, I decided to step into a leadership role so I can help drive change. While I’m not the most experienced climber to lead the program, I do have fresh perspective as a recent graduate and volunteer.
Creating a better student and volunteer experience is what keeps me energized!
Courtesy of Xiaoyu Chen.
Courtesy of Diane Simms.
Diane Simms
Chapter: Southeastern Massachusetts (SEM)
Role: Outdoor Leadership Development Committee Chair, former Chapter Chair
How did you begin volunteering with AMC?
I so appreciated my chapter’s hikes that I took leader training in the spring of 2019. I co-led for a while, learning something from each leader. I took the plunge and led my first hike in February 2020. Then the world shut down. Meanwhile, I volunteered to join the SEM Chapter’s Executive Committee as Communications Chair. When AMC reopened, I was the first SEM leader to return, but was soon joined by a few others, cautiously finding our way in this new world.
Do you have a favorite memory from your time with AMC?
As Chapter Chair, I learned about AMC’s priorities, including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). I started the conversation with the SEM Chapter’s Executive Committee. Wanting to also do something tangible, I analyzed our region to find an underserved area with a diverse population where I could lead hikes. A past chapter chair introduced me to the Fall River Bioreserve, a 16,000 acre property in one of SEM’s largest urban areas. We had our first hike in March 2021 and are still going strong.
I love introducing people to the outdoors or to experiences new for them. I was so proud of participants in last year’s Startup Spring Conditioning series. We started with a 3-mile loop of 1,000 feet elevation. After six weeks many of us hiked almost double that at Wachusett. In all my activities, I’m supported by other volunteers who share their energy and expertise and accompanied by participants who share our joy in the outdoors.
Courtesy of Diane Simms.
Courtesy of Jeanine Libby.
Jeanine Libby
Chapter: Maine
Role: Outings Chair
How did you begin volunteering with AMC?
Gosh, where do I start. I’ve been volunteering for the AMC since 2013, with my first volunteer stint doing trail maintenance at Gorman Chairback with Peter Roderick and his faithful crew of trail trimmers and bridge builders. I along with a couple other ladies have volunteered to adopt the 3rd Mountain trail that begins at Gorman Chairback up to the Appalachian Trail.
Do you have a favorite memory from your time with AMC?
I can still remember my very first AMC trip, as it’s my favorite one, too. It was a Lodge-to-Lodge ski trip going into Gorman for two nights, then over to Little Lyford for another two nights. It was truly a magical trip: The trails were excellent, food was wonderful, and the group of friends I made on that trip built long-lasting relationships. Everyone was so warm and welcoming, and it felt like I had known them my whole life. We get together as much as we can throughout the year.
It’s such a joy seeing smiles on the trip participants’ faces and experiencing the glowing happiness that the group shares with everyone—this is what’s truly rewarding for me in being a volunteer trip leader.
Courtesy of Phil Coyne.
Phil Coyne
Chapter: Maine
Role: Trails Chair
How did you begin volunteering with AMC?
My wife and I signed up for a Little Lyford trail work trip and had a great time. It was a really fun, beautiful area, with nice, kind people, and [we] really felt welcomed by the beautiful community.
We had talked about wanting to adopt a trail and ended up seeing an open Trails Chair position at the Maine Chapter’s annual meeting. I used to organize triathlons and road races in Maine and thought “How hard can it be to be a trails chair?” When I signed up, there were only two trail leaders, and now we’re up to nine. It’s a mixture of men and women of all ages, and I just love it!
Do you have a favorite memory from your time with AMC?
A couple of years ago, August Camp was at Little Lyford, when we were just starting to come out of COVID. We were putting in new bog bridges, and it was great seeing a lot of these older folks hauling logs around. These ladies with normal fitness levels had logs over their shoulders hauling them down the trail. It was great seeing that: Everyone was smiling, and it was just great to rip up the old bog bridge and put in a new one. Everyone had a fun time.
What would you say to prospective volunteers? How can they get involved?
It’s very rewarding. You hear so much negativity in the news about life, and we’re all just people at the end of the day.
It’s great to have a lot of connection. One of the things I really like about trail work is the connectivity that we all have by hearing each other’s stories and hearing where people are coming from. It’s feeling connected to all people, it’s just beautiful.
Courtesy of Catherine LiVolsi.
Catherine LiVolsi
Chapter: Narraganset
Role: Chapter Chair
How did you begin volunteering with AMC?
I started volunteering with AMC as a local hiking leader in 2017 for the young members.
Do you have a favorite memory from your time with AMC?
I have many good memories of my time with AMC. It’s hard to choose a favorite.
Some highlights include catching a winter sunrise from the Mount Tom overlook here in Rhode Island; getting blown over on Franconia Ridge; catching rainbows when you thought it would rain the whole time. My absolute favorite is hiking while it’s actively snowing.
The best moments [happen when you are] having an overnight trip and know you’ll spend the next couple days with some really awesome people in extraordinary places. The scenery and company are both well worth it.
What would you say to prospective volunteers? How can they get involved?
In my adult life I’ve found it’s more difficult to have opportunities to form friendships and share meaningful experiences. Volunteering with AMC has given me a way to create those opportunities for myself and others in a low stress environment.
Have a great volunteer story to share? Tag us on social media or drop us a line at [email protected].