Two of AMC's lakeside lodges in the 100-Mile Wilderness region of Maine -- Gorman Chairback Lodge and Medawisla Lodge -- are looking for new Volunteer Naturalists to volunteer for two weekends (or equivalent in sets of weekdays) each summer. Volunteer Naturalists help people connect to the natural world around them. They lead evening programs, morning nature walks, and may lead other nature/outdoorsy activities. They also help orient guests to the facility and offer advice about outdoor activities. Just a few examples of program topics include beaver adaptations, loons, night sky viewing, Maine minerals, and sustainable forestry.

Essential qualifications include enthusiasm for learning and sharing about the natural world; an outgoing, friendly personality; experience leading talks or activities; and the ability to plan and deliver natural history programs. The best fit for a Volunteer Naturalist at AMC’s Maine lodges is someone who loves the Maine Woods, has two or more relevant topics that they particularly like to learn and share about, enjoys talking with guests with a wide range of experience/interests/ages (including families with kids), and is comfortable/confident independently planning and leading nature walks and evening programs. Additionally, volunteers must be at least 18 years old and pass a criminal background check.

With programming focused on evenings and mornings, volunteers have free time during the day (usually about 10am to 4pm) to enjoy the area. Each lodge has waterfront lake access for swimming, boating, and fishing; canoes and kayaks available for guests (and volunteers); and nearby hiking trails ranging from easy/short hikes to longer trails that access mountain summits.

The lodges are pretty remote, and most volunteers live far enough away that they stay overnight (for free) in one of our bunkhouses, along with other guests. Meals are also provided free to volunteers.

In 2021, the International Dark-Sky Association granted International Dark Sky Park status to AMC's 75,000-acre parcel of forestland in Maine's 100-Mile Wilderness, which includes the areas surrounding the lodges. With such spectacular conditions for viewing the night sky, each lodge has a telescope available for volunteers, staff, and guests.

Training includes a few online sessions in May/June, as well as an in-person training during the weekend of June 21-23. Discounted lodging is available that weekend.

Benefits: receive free meals and lodging (shared bunkroom), and retail discounts, while volunteering.

Schedule and Time Commitment: during summer season (July - Aug), volunteer stints are scheduled for the weekends (arrive Friday pm and depart Sunday am) as well as weekdays, for durations ranging from 2 nights to 5 nights. Most Naturalists will volunteer twice each summer, with each of those volunteer stints spanning 2 or 3 nights, or they'll volunteer once for a 5-night stretch from Sunday afternoon to Friday morning. Volunteers are welcome and encouraged to add additional dates if they have more availability. Volunteers should be interested in participating in the Volunteer Naturalist program for at least three years.

*Please note the date listed on Nature Groupie is a tentative deadline for expressing interest because the volunteer roster may fill up early. The actual volunteering dates would be in July or August.

To Learn More: Reach out to Kyra Salancy, Volunteer Programs Manager, at amcvolservices@outdoors.org. Some volunteer roles fill up early, so please reach out now (February) if you may be interested.