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We are happy to announce our newest event for youth in the Greenway: M₂S: The Next Generation!   From Issaquah to Snoqualmie this summer, we will take youth to some of our favorite Greenway sites to help maintain local creeks and trails while learning why volunteering outside is cool!

Know of someone who looking for a fun outdoors activity this summer?  Our free 2 and 3-day restoration and trail maintenance events are specially designed for youth.  Come out each morning ready to make a difference!  We have exciting events for each age group, where kids and teens can make friends, learn new skills, explore local creeks and trails, and have fun outside this summer.  It’s also an excellent community service project for school!

Make sure to sign up early to reserve a spot.  You don’t want to miss our exciting new youth program in the Greenway!

Join M₂S today and dig into summer!

Events:

June 30 & July 1: Tiger Mountain Trail Blazers, Ages 16-18 

Chop, dig, haul, cut and re-grade trails back into shape! 9AM-3PM 

July 10 & 11 : Lake Sammamish Weed Destroyers, Ages 10-13 

Wipe out weeds and dig in the dirt! 10AM-2PM

July 15-17 : Snoqualmie Valley Watershed Wardens, Ages 13-16 

Tackle blackberry and clear trails in the shadow of Mt. Si! 9AM– 3PM

July 22-24 : Stewards of Lake Sammamish, Ages 13-16

Nurture natives and eradicate invasives! 9am-3pm

Event Details:

Tiger Mountain Trail Blazers, Ages 16-18

Monday, June 30 & Tuesday, July 1:

Youth will spend two days on beautiful Tiger Mountain learning to care for local trails.  This is a great opportunity for High School students who love the outdoors and hiking, and want to give back.  Get volunteer hours for school or college applications while having fun outdoors!  During our two days, we will focus on repairing trail damage caused by increased use.  Located just 20 miles from Seattle, Tiger Mountain trails have become extremely popular among hikers and the High Point Trailhead is now one of the busiest in the state.  However, this means they see a lot of wear and tear.  Our work will include some much needed tread reconstruction, brushing, erosion control, and installation of water drain dips.  Whatever the trail needs we will do it!

Ages: 16-18
Location: Tiger Mountain, meet at the High Point Trailhead
Time: 9am-3pm each day

Snacks and drinks provided, but please bring lunches and water for hot weather
*This is a 2 Day event.

Lake Sammamish Weed Destroyers, Ages 10-13
Thursday, July 10 & Friday, July 11:

Like to dig in the dirt?  Pull out non-native plants, get dirty and have fun!  Students will spend two days caring for native plants and animal habitat in Lake Sammamish State Park.  The first day will consist of invasive weed removal along the Lakeshore of Lake Sammamish; this area is important salmon habitat.  Come be a part of this new project: over 6,000 native trees and shrubs will be planted here in the fall!  The second day we will go to our native plant nursery to care for some of the plants that will end up at the Lakeshore site.  Students will learn how to be good stewards to our public lands and spend some time outdoors in this beautiful park! 

Ages: 10-13
Location: Lake Sammamish State Park (will be meeting in the same location each day)
Day 1 Invasive weed removal along the Shoreline of Lake Sammamish
Day 2 Caring for seedlings in the Mountains to Sound Nursery
Time: 10am-2pm (with plenty of breaks for snacks and water as needed)

Snacks and drinks provided, but please bring lunches and water for hot weather
*This is a 2 Day event.

Snoqualmie Valley Watershed Wardens, Ages 13-16
Tuesday, July 15-Thursday, July 17:

Tackle blackberry and clear trails in the shadow of Mt. Si.  Love to be outdoors?  Want to try both restoration and trail work?  This is the project for you!  Students will learn about the ecology of streams in the Snoqualmie Valley, how to be good stewards to public lands, spend time improving trails, getting dirty and having fun!  Spend time outside with friends and get a jump start on service learning hours for next school year.

Ages: 13-16
Location: Snoqualmie Valley (various meeting sites)
Day 1 Invasive Weed Removal at Tollgate Farm
Day 2 Invasive Weed Removal at Meadowbrook Farm
Day 3 Trail Work and Hike on Rattlesnake Mountain Trail
Time: 9am-3pm each day

Snacks and drinks provided, but please bring lunches and water for hot weather
*This is a 3 Day event.

Stewards of Lake Sammamish, Ages 13-16
Tuesday, July 22-Thursday, July 24:

Nurture native plants and eradicate invasives!  Lake Sammamish is an important site for spawning salmon, great blue herons and many other native animals.  Learn about the ecology of the lake and how to improve its health!  Help us restore the lake by caring for young native plants and removing troublesome invasive plants such as blackberries.  Spend time outside with friends, have fun, get dirty and get a jump start on service learning hours for next school year.

Ages: 13-16
Location: Lake Sammamish State Park (will be meeting in the same location each day)
Day 1 Invasive Weed Removal on the Lakeshore of Lake Sammamish
Day 2 Care for seedlings at the Mountains to Sound Nursery
Day 3 Invasive Weed Removal along Tibbetts Creek
Time: 9am-3pm each day

Snacks and drinks provided, but please bring lunches and water for hot weather
*This is a 3 Day event.

FAQs: 

How much does this event cost?                                                                 
NOTHING!!!  We are providing these summer youth events free of charge.

Is this an overnight program?
No, these events will run according to the times listed above.  Parents must be prepared to pick up youth at the end of each event day!

Do I have to attend everyday of the multi-day event I sign up for?
No, we highly recommend participants come out and work with us everyday to get the full experience.  However, we realize that everyone has busy schedules during the summer time, so you can sign up for all or just a few of the event days.

What do I need to bring to the project?
Volunteers always need to bring a daypack, sack lunch, water, youth waiver form, and a pair of gloves if you have some. You must also dress appropriately which means wearing jeans or work pants, a long-sleeved layer, waterproof rain gear and sturdy shoes. Tennis shoes are usually okay for restoration projects but for trail work leather above-the-ankle boots are required!  We provide all the tools and project materials, and have some youth-sized gloves to loan out.

Is lunch provided?
No. Please bring your own lunch and water to the site. We will provide additional snacks throughout the event and will have cold soda and juice at the end of the event.

What is the schedule for the day?
General plan for the day (9AM-3PM):
9:00: Orientation and tool safety talk
9:20: Start work project
10:30ish: Short break for snacks/rest, then back to work!
12:00: Lunch Break
12:30: Back to work, finish off project
2:45: Clean-up and head back to meeting site for parents to pick students up
3:00: Parents pick up

General plan for the day (10AM-2PM)
10:00: Orientation and tool safety talk, short activity to get everyone warmed up
10:20: Get to work on project
11:45- 12:30: Lunch and fun activity
12:30: Back to work, finish off project
1:50: Clean up and head back to meeting site for parents to pick students up

I filled out a youth waiver last time. Do I have to do it again?                                 
Yes! It’s critical for us to have complete medical information on hand for each minor at every project in case of an emergency.  For multi-day events, please list all days your child or teen will be working with us.

Does this work count as community service?
Yes! It’s hard to believe, isn’t it. Even though it's fun, the time you donate to us can be used for credit for school or other requirements.  The Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

How can I get credit for doing required service hours in the Greenway?
If you are only coming to 1 project, ask the staff member on site to either sign your form, if you have one, or to sign the generic service form we have. If you are coming to multiple projects, you can ask us to track your hours (check the “Yes, I’d like more information” box on the sign-in form). As long as you write your name clearly and sign in and out every time you volunteer, we will keep a record of your time. Then you can ask us to send you a formal letter verifying your total number of hours at any time.

How can I get academic credit for volunteering?
Because each school has different rules about service learning, check with your instructor or service learning coordinator.  If you've met the requirements, we'll be happy to provide you with a letter or sign-off on any paperwork they require.

Who will be running the project? What kind of qualifications or background do they have?
All youth summer events are lead by permanent Greenway staff or AmeriCorps members associated with the Washington Service Corps. All staff have, at minimum, basic First Aid and CPR training, as well as training on running safe and fun volunteer events for youth.

What about transportation?
Unless the student already has a driver's license, parents must drop off and pick up students each day at the meeting site.  This means you must drop your student off no later than the start time and arrive to pick him/her up no later than the end time (15 minutes early is preferable both for pick up and drop off).  We will email directions to the sites along with the confirmation and full details of the event.  Parents must be available by phone at all times in case of an emergency!  For parents interested in carpools, check the "carpooling" box on the registration form, and one week before the event we will send you email addresses of other interested parents.  However, it is your responsibility to set up these carpools.

More questions?  Visit our regular volunteer events FAQ page, or contact Volunteer Program Staff at volunteer@mtsgreenway.org or 206.812.0122