Committee Reports

From planning and leading recreational activities to seasonal trail work – here's what our committees were up to last month.

20s/30s

The 20s/30s+ WhatsApp group has over 100 members! ✧ Recent events: Tour de Ponds - Overnight backpacking in southern VT (07/05); Mount Warner & Scoops at the Silos (07/08); Chesterfield Gorge & Northampton Brewery (07/15); MacLeish Field Station (07/22); Cole Conservation Area & 3 Amigos (07/29); Camping weekend: Greylock and Film Night @ Tanglewood (08/08)

A.T. Management

The most recent A.T. Committee meeting was May 5 ✧ Seasonal project work continues in full swing. Projects since the last report include switching the cribs on 2 moldering privies and digging new pits for 2 others, grass mowing along the trail in open areas, installing and repairing bog bridges, clearing water bars, painting the east side of Upper Goose Pond cabin, removing numerous trees blown down across the trail and clipping of vegetation that grows into the treadway. See the Outdoor Connector for details of specific projects and how to volunteer ✧ Upper Goose Pond Cabin remains open with a steady number of overnight visitors ✧ Seasonal project work is ongoing; see the Outdoor Connector (OC) for details on upcoming A.T. projects and information on how to volunteer with us ✧ Volunteer recruitment needs include trail maintainers, corridor monitors, and three coordinators: shelter, communications and group outreach ✧ Next meeting: August 25, 2025. The Committee will review work done so far this season and discuss upcoming projects ✧ Volunteer recruitment needs include trail maintainers, corridor monitors, and three coordinators (shelter, communications, and group outreach)

Bicycling

July 26: Tour of the Hamptons (29.9 miles) ✧ August bike rides are listed on the AMC Outdoor Connector (OC) and include: Berkshires Ride - Stockbridge to Alford (37.7 miles/2518 ft); Bernardston to Guilford, VT Ride (38 miles/1900 ft) ✧ Tentative plans to lead an AMC 150 relay (May 30, 2026) are under consideration

Communications

The Chapter's social media accounts continue to gain new followers- 29 new followers on Facebook and 51 new followers on Instagram since May. The Chapter’s Facebook account had a total of 9110 views, an increase of 18%. All the data points for Facebook increased in July despite fewer posts. July saw our highest number of users to date and third highest views on the website. The Chapter's social media accounts continue to gain new followers. Facebook: 9110 views (up 18%). All the data points increased in July despite fewer posts. Top post: Mt Tom hike to the Eyrie Ruins. Instagram: 18 posts with 5547 views (up 12%). Top post: 20s/30s hike to Chesterfield Gorge and brewery. Email messages sent: 3895. ✧ Ongoing web work included activity postings, updates to the Western MA Exchange, new photos, and regular site maintenance

Membership

We have 75 new members! ✧ Recent events: Guided hike with Williamstown Rural Lands examining local effects of climate change (07/12); Bennington Trailfest, a free event for hikers and the community for which we provided info about AMC Western MA, a Leave No Trace activity, and snacks (07/26) ✧ Planning is underway for the ExCom planning meeting in September and the chapter's annual meeting in October

Paddling

The Paddling Committee last met on 07/08 ✧ We have adopted two paddling legs of the AMC150 relay: Westfield River (Russell/Westfield line to Robinson State Park) on 24-May-2026 and the Connecticut River (Hatfield to Northampton Oxbow) on 27-May-2026 ✧ Recent events: 20s/30s Hike and Paddle at Tully Lake (06/04); Cheshire Reservoir (06/15); LGBTQ+ trip on the Deerfield River, Class I-II (06/27); beginner kayak instruction at Barton Cove (07/05); LGBTQ+ trip on the Deerfield River, Class I-II (07/25) ✧ Find upcoming trips on the OC