Pikes Peak Regional Crew Leader Training
About PPRCLT
The 2023 Pikes Peak Regional Crew Leader Training will take place Saturday, May 6th and Sunday, May 7th, 2023. Attendance during both days is required, this years training will occur on Pikes Peak - America's Mountain in the North Slope Recreation Area. Scroll down for more information.
The Pikes Peak Regional Crew Leader Training is an intensive weekend-long training for experienced volunteers who are interested in becoming certified Volunteer Crew Leaders. The training is hosted in partnership by Rocky Mountain Field Institute, Trails and Open Space Coalition, and the City of Colorado Springs, Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department.
Volunteer Leaders Expand Our Impact
The Crew Leaders
Each year, thousands of volunteers donate their time to help care for parks, trails, and open spaces in the Pikes Peak Region. This generosity of time and labor is necessary for the upkeep of our local parks, but has also created a need for trained volunteer crew leaders who are able to assist land managers and stewardship organizations by leading these critical trail and restoration projects. While in the training, participants will learn how to lead safe, successful trail projects and develop basic trail construction and restoration skills. These Crew Leaders then go through a certification process involving two shadowing leadership workdays in partnership with the training organizations, RMFI, TOSC, and the City of Colorado Springs. Once certified, Crew Leaders must maintain their certification by helping to lead, at minimum, one trail or restoration project day each field season.
2023 Crew Leader Training Agenda
An agenda will be provided as soon as possible, please be patient as we work through a few remaining details.
Saturday, May 6th (DAY 1)
07:30: Check In
08:00-08:15: Welcome, Land Manager and Trainer Introductions, Safety
08:15-08:45: Leave No Trace Presentation
09:00: Leave for Work Site
09:30: Trail Walk and Talk
10:30: Tool Talk
11:00: Lunch
11:30-15:00: Work
15:00-15:30: Wrap-Up / Questions
Sunday, May 7th (DAY 2)
07:30: TOSC Presentation on Leadership
08:00: RMFI Presentation on Restoration
09:00-11:00: Restoration Work
11:00: Lunch
11:30-15:00: Restoration Work
15:00-15:30: Wrap Up / What is Next?
Eligibility & Certification
PPRCLT is designed for experienced trail and restoration volunteers looking to advance into a leadership role.
Applicants must have prior trail workday experience in order to participate in this training.
In order to be eligible, candidates should:
- Have participated in at least two trail or restoration workdays prior to being enrolled in Crew Leader Training.
- Must be able to pass a mandatory criminal background check (at no charge to the trainee). The background check will be sent to applicants prior to their acceptance in the training.
If you have questions regarding your eligibility please contact Calla Balliett the Volunteer and Partnership Coordinator, at [email protected] or 719-471-7736 ext. 4#
In order to become fully certified, trainees must:
- Attend the full 2-day training
- Complete 2 additional certification workdays as an assistant Crew Leader under the guidance and supervision of either Rocky Mountain Field Institute or City of Colorado Springs Park Ranger. These certification days must take place within the same calendar year as the training.
- Crew Leader's code of conduct must be upheld or certification status will not be granted/renewed at the discretion of the applicable Pikes Peak Region Land Management Agency.
Training Videos
Trail Tool Videos!
These videos were created by the Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department and provide general overviews of tool safety and common trail tools used in stewardship projects.
Apply Today!
Ready to take your volunteering to the next level and become a certified volunteer Crew Leader?
Before filling out the program application and paying the non-refundable application fee, you may contact Calla Balliett the Volunteer and Partnership Coordinator, at [email protected] or 719-471-7736 ext. 4# if you have any questions prior to registering.
Before you apply, you must have previously participated in at least two trail workdays. If you have not previously participated in two trail workdays, there is still time! Visit www.rmfi.org and/or www.trailsandopenspaces.org for a schedule of upcoming workdays that will take place prior to the training.
Yes. If you cannot attend the entire weekend-long training, or will not be available in the season to complete two subsequent certification workdays, please do not apply. Most certification workday opportunities will occur prior to October 1, 2023.
When the certification workday schedule is finalized, it will be sent via email to all who are registered for the training, along with instructions for signing up. Space on each certification workday is limited to two certifying Crew Leaders. Sign up early! Trainees must sign up for their two certification days no later than the last day of the weekend training course.
We ask that certified crew leaders lead at least one project per work season. Your certification will automatically renew each year that this requirement is fulfilled.
Before filling out the program application and paying the non-refundable application fee, you may contact Calla Balliett the Volunteer and Partnership Coordinator, at [email protected] or 719-471-7736 to discuss any concerns about the background check.
Upon successful completion of the two certification workdays, Crew Leaders will receive an official Crew Leader certificate and wallet card recognized by the City of Colorado Springs, the El Paso County Parks Department, and all partner trail groups. The certification is renewed annually after each year that the holder actively serves in a Crew Leader capacity and renews their annual background check.