Buckeye Trail
Association

Are you interested in hiking the Buckeye Trail?

Whether your interest lies in hiking short sections or doing the entire trail in one journey, the Buckeye Trail Association is for you. Here are the benefits to becoming a member of the Buckeye Trail Association.

Hike with like-minded people. Organized hikes, offered all-year round, are plentiful. Hosted by local BTA chapters and other BTA groups, experienced hike leaders set up the hike location, distance, and other logistics. Whether it’s the annual winter hike or monthly circuit hikes, organizers find fun and creative ways to get people on the trail.

Get even more personal and join one or more of the five local chapters located around the state. You’ll have an instant trail family! Local chapters also organize off-trail activities, like presentations and gatherings. You can choose from hundreds of chapter events.

Get connected. The highlight of the year is the annual Buckeye TrailFest, Ohio’s premiere trail festival. Buckeye TrailFest is the largest gathering of BT hikers, members, volunteers and enthusiasts of the year. It includes the annual meeting of the BTA as well as many educational workshops, outings on the BT in the local region, evening entertainment, and best of all, time to enjoy the company of others who are interested and passionate about the BT. Also included in membership are quarterly issues of the Trailblazer. This BTA-published newsletter keeps the BT community up-to-date on issues affecting the trail and its members with articles, pictures, and trail news.

Get involved. The Buckeye Trail Association is always looking for volunteers to be trail stewards–Section Supervisor, Trail Maintainer, Trail Adopter, or a member of a Trail Crew. The Buckeye Trail is divided into 26 sections, each with a Section Supervisor. The Section Supervisor oversees his/her assigned section and directs the work of Trail Maintainers/Adopters. Perhaps you live near the Buckeye Trail or have a special place on the Buckeye Trail you like to visit? Trail volunteers maintain at least a mile of the trail by keeping it clear of vegetation and painted with blue blazes so that hikers can find their way around Ohio. Trail work crews undertake bigger tasks by spending up to five days at a time working to build, repair, or tackle heavy maintenance issues. Since its inception in 1959, the BTA has grown into one of the largest outdoor volunteer networks in the state. Even with some paid staff support, the BTA is primarily driven by volunteer leadership.

Not an outdoors person, but have talent or experience in business, computers, law, resource management, social media, web design, advocacy, and/or program development, training? Are you good at organizing events? Raising money for non-profit organizations? These are the many ways to volunteer for the Buckeye Trail Association. Do you enjoy being in a leadership role? The BTA is searching for passionate, committed members for the Board of Trustees. Trustees represent the interest of BTA members from all over the state. They also work to raise money in order to improve, upgrade, promote, and make the Buckeye Trail a satisfying hiking experience.

Get discounts. Buckeye Trail Association members enjoy discounts on merchandise in the Buckeye Trail Shop, selected Ohio outfitters, and registration at larger BTA events. Also offered at a discounted rate are the Buckeye Trail maps. These 26 waterproof section maps include: a detailed point-to-point narrative of the trail; service listings such as camping, water, resupply; and points of interest. It’s good to know that all proceeds go back into the mission of the BTA to build, maintain, promote and protect Ohio’s 1,444 mile state trail.

The Buckeye Trail was chosen as Ohio’s Millennium Legacy Trail in 2000, a national recognition of its historic importance and present-day value. Become a member and help protect an Ohio treasure.

www.buckeyetrail.org

Reprinted from “Captain Blue on the Blue Blazes”