Mobile Skills Crew Program

Complementing the many volunteer opportunities available through the Ice Age Trail Alliance's 21 local volunteer chapters is the IATA's statewide Mobile Skills Crew trail building program.

Mobile Skills Crew (MSC) events offer a great opportunity to give back to the outdoors while spending quality time in it. Volunteers at MSC events work hard, learn best-practice trail building techniques, develop lasting friendships with each other and, most importantly, have fun.

Each year, volunteers from across the state and beyond flock to six or more MSC trail-building events at Ice Age Trail locations throughout Wisconsin. The program's vision is to build a statewide group of volunteers who are trained in advanced crew leadership and trail construction techniques. MSC-trained volunteers, in turn, apply their knowledge and experience to local trail-building projects. This process allows us to continuously refine the Ice Age Trail into one of the premier hiking trails in the United States.

Previous trail construction background is not necessary to participate. And you are welcome to lend a hand for whatever time period your schedule permits, without having to commit to the entire multi-day project. We need in many other areas too, including food preparation, community outreach, publicity, administration and entertainment.

MSC events start on a Thursday morning and conclude the following Sunday at noon. Meals are provided, along with a place to pitch your tent. Bring leather work gloves, water bottles, hiking/work boots and appropriate clothing for the weather. Advance registration is highly encouraged to help plan food and crew needs.

The MSC season typically starts in May and winds down in October. Check out our online calendar for info on upcoming MSC events.

Below are some of the documents associated with project planning, design and construction that illustrate our procedures and commitment to excellence.