Events & Workshops

The Green Mountain Club hosts events, workshops, and occasional community outings. Check the upcoming schedule below for introduction to hiking workshops, panels from experienced thru-hikers, Wilderness First Aid training, trail maintenance training, and more. Check the calendar of events and outings to see what the volunteer sections have planned. We host both in-person and virtual events.

Coming up:

Backpacking Skills Workshops
Storytime Hikes
Guided Short Trail Hikes
Long Trail End-to-Ender panels
Map and Compass Workshops
Hiking 101 Workshops

Find recorded sessions below, or on YouTube.

Spring Guided Hikes on the Short Trail
Green Mountain Club Visitor Center and Short Trail

Join the Green Mountain Club’s Visitor Services Manager, Emily Mosher, for a hike on the Short Trail! Learn more about hiking in Vermont, the Long Trail and the Green Mountain Club, and seasonal hiking tips and recommendations as we explore the 0.5 mile loop at GMC’s headquarters building in Waterbury Center. These hikes are open to hikers of all ages, from beginner day hiker to seasoned backpacker. Allow about an hour with plenty of stops to explore.

Saturday, April 18 at 2 p.m.
Saturday, May 16 at 2 p.m.

No RSVP necessary; for questions, email [email protected] or call 802-244-7037.

Backpacking Skills Workshop: Sleep Systems, Food, and Hydration
Saturday, March 28 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Green Mountain Club Visitor Center

Learn more about sleep systems, food, and hydration before hitting the trails!

Sleep Systems: Whether you have experienced backpacking or beginning your adventures, you will know how important getting plenty of rest on the trail can be. Sleeping equipment can be daunting. We are going to break down how to pick out sleeping equipment to ensure your best night’s sleep on trail with live gear demos!

Food and Hydration: In addition to Sleep Systems, join us for an immersive workshop on food and hydration. We will discuss what to keep in mind when thinking about different types of food to bring (calories and mileage), weight and fuel considerations, food storage (bear cans, bear bags, bear boxes), and food resupplies. We will also cover how to plan ahead and prepare for water reliability and water carries.

This workshop is an excellent follow-up to GMC’s Backpacking 101 workshop or other backpacking skills workshops.

Guided Hike and Storytime
Saturday, April 4 | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Green Mountain Club Visitor Center and Short Trail

Join the Green Mountain Club for a family-friendly, nature-themed story time, followed by a guided hike on our 0.7-mile Short Trail. In April, we’ll read “Bird Builds a Nest” by Martin Jenkins, and on our hike we’ll try to spot any birds nests and nest-building materials! This program is open to all ages, book is recommended for ages 4-6.

Backpacking Skills: Technical Gear and First Aid Kits
Saturday, April 25 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Green Mountain Club Visitor Center

Discuss, test, and learn about technical gear and clothing, and how to consider factors like weight, material, packability, weatherproofing, and temperature rating. We will also cover general hygiene methods and products, including bathroom kits and menstruation kits, and discuss stocking or building a first aid kit. And we know gear is expensive, and can be hard and overwhelming to source, so we will share resources for acquiring gear locally and/or secondhand. Folks are encouraged to bring their own clothing and technical gear as there will be opportunity for community discussion/sharing your favorite gear!

This workshop is an excellent follow-up to GMC’s Backpacking 101 workshop or other backpacking skills workshops.

Long Trail End-to-Ender Event: Q&A Panel
Saturday May 9 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Green Mountain Club Visitor Center

The Long Trail End-to-Ender Panel is an informative Q&A, show-and-tell style panel intended for folks to learn about backpacking in Vermont from experienced Long Trail Thru-Hikers. Wondering about the best lightweight tent or what to eat besides PB&J’s? Sign up to learn the ins and outs of a long-distance hike and get answers to all your questions about food, equipment, and planning as you prep for your Long Trail Hike! We’ll also share information about GMC trip planning resources, including the newest edition of the forthcoming End to Ender’s Guide. After the panel, attendees will be able to chat with panelists one-on-one for more customized advice, see some of the gear and planning tools they used, and browse GMC resources.

Long Trail End-to-Ender Panel (Virtual)
Friday, May 15 | 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Zoom

The Long Trail End-to-Ender Panel is an informative Q&A, show-and-tell style panel intended for folks to learn about backpacking in Vermont from experienced Long Trail Thru-Hikers. Wondering about the best lightweight tent or how to not get bored with PB&J’s? Sign up to learn the ins and outs of a long-distance hike and get answers to all your questions about food, equipment, and planning. We’ll also share information about GMC trip planning resources, including the newest edition of the forthcoming End to Ender’s Guide.

Essentials of Map and Compass
Sunday, May 17 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Green Mountain Club Visitor Center

Knowing how to use a map and compass are crucial skills for any hiker. This workshop will help you understand the information provided on a topographical map, the proper use of a compass, and how to put the two together. You’ll learn about magnetic north, true north, and magnetic declination, and pairing a compass to a map. You’ll then learn how to use a map and compass to find a bearing with a map and follow it in the field, and to take bearings on visible landmarks and use them to determine where you are. After covering these fundamentals, you’ll get an opportunity to practice orienteering skills in the woods around the Green Mountain Club campus.

Hiking 101 Workshop
Wednesday, May 27 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Green Mountain Club Visitor Center

Join the Green Mountain Club for a workshop on the basics of hiking, including important gear to bring with you, how to prepare for your hike, where and how to find trails, and what you will experience on trails in Vermont. Then, we’ll take a guided hike on the Short Trail, a 0.7-mile trail on GMC’s campus to inspire your hiking adventures this season! No experience necessary, please wear or bring good hiking shoes and a water bottle. We will be finishing the hike around sunset, so you may also want to bring a headlamp.

Green Mountain Club 116th Annual Meeting
Saturday, June 13 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Green Mountain Club Headquarters

Green Mountain Club members are invited to join the 116th Annual Meeting at GMC Headquarters in Waterbury Center as we conduct club business, discuss the past year’s work, and discuss plans for the current year ahead.