Washington and Lee’s Outing Club is partnering with the Rockbridge Trails Club to kickstart monthly local trail maintenance days for students and community members.
University Director of Outdoor Education James Dick said he wanted to schedule routine trail days in response to student interest in trail cleanup. Dick said that community members used to build and maintain trails through the Rockbridge Trails Club, which first started nearly 10 years ago but shut down during the pandemic. Dick said the reignited club is starting small with monthly trail cleanup days on familiar local trails in Glen Maury Park, Brushy Hills, Natural Bridge State Park and Back Campus.
Dick said that he hopes these volunteer opportunities will encourage the same students who use and enjoy local trails to give back and get outside. Spending a Saturday morning weeding or clearing brush is a small sacrifice with tangible impacts on the community, Dick said.
“Give back,” said Dick. “It doesn’t take much.”
Dick is spearheading Rockbridge Trails Club’s revival with community members Dave Walsh and Drew Ludtke. They named themselves the “cat herders” of Rockbridge Trails Club, and Dick said they have a relaxed, optimistic attitude toward the endeavor.
“It’s really just a handful of people who want to give back,” said Dick.
The Rockbridge Trails Club’s rebirth began during a recent meeting for Rockbridge Outdoors, a local group that promotes outdoor recreational opportunities in the Rockbridge Area. Finding themselves at a table together, Dick, Walsh and Ludtke discussed the need for ongoing trail maintenance in the community. They decided on the spot to restart Rockbridge Trails Club, intending to keep the club uncomplicated and low-pressure.
Walsh said that he hopes by volunteering, participants will connect with the community, experience the health benefits of outdoor activities and discover local trails.
“This is healthy and fun,” said Ludtke.
The positive mental health effects of spending time in nature inspired Walsh to help launch these trail days. According to Walsh, time outdoors benefits not only the volunteers who show up but also the students and community members who enjoy the groomed trails.
Dick said that the “cat herders” hope to lighten the load of land managers who may not have time to coordinate local volunteers. Dick, Walsh and Ludtke plan to work with land managers to proactively address recreational spaces that require upkeep.
Eventually, Dick said he hopes that land managers will provide the Rockbridge Trails Club with a priority list of trails and spaces that need work. But for now, Dick said that there are plenty of well-known spots that demand attention.
He said that rather than setting lofty or unattainable goals, simply adding one trail day per month to the calendar for students and community members will help the club’s relaunch succeed.
Hosting monthly trail maintenance days also provides students with flexibility, allowing them to volunteer whenever their schedules permits. Outing Club employee Clara Avery, ’27, participated in the first trail day on Jan. 25 at Glen Maury Park in Buena Vista. Avery said she enjoys the opportunity to be outdoors while making a positive impact on the community.
To participate in any trail day, volunteers have to simply come to the specified location for that day in work attire and will be given a job. Dick said he plans to add a few extra trail days to the February calendar of the Outing Club.
“Bring a good attitude and a water bottle,” said Dick.
Jean Tardy Clark • Feb 6, 2025 at 4:39 pm
Grateful to the leadership AND the volunteers. Thank you!