Pathways Newsletter

Having completed my first AmeriCorps service term with City Year Greater Philadelphia, I was back home wondering what’s next. My parents and I were visiting with family friends when their son shared about an incredible year working on a trail crew, camping, and living outside. I saw photos of green landscapes, big blue skies, people smiling, and camaraderie. 

I applied to Montana Conservation Corps within 24 hours of learning about it, interviewed soon after, and was accepted as a Crew Leader. I had massive doubts about my ability to be a leader in this capacity. I’d only camped during Girl Scouts – years ago at this point – didn’t know a lick about trail work, and would be moving across the country to a new place where I knew no one. Why did the staff think I could lead other people doing work I’d never done before? 

They knew I’d completed one year of service and fully understood what that meant: that I was adaptable, understood resiliency, and was an eager, curious learner. That season in the backcountry of Montana, I worked with a co-leader as we led a crew of young adults that worked with federal employees to improve trail systems, some of which hadn’t been maintained in many decades.

I slept in and worked out of a tent in all kinds of weather, suffered from thousands of bug bites and blisters on my feet, and went for days without showering. I swam in alpine lakes, cooked meals over an open fire, fell asleep to the sounds of nature, saw a mountain lion, had an encounter with black bears, and witnessed so much beauty and life from living and working outdoors. This was what I considered living the good life.

I learned to use and maintain a chainsaw and to cut down and buck trees. I learned that I’m #1 and need to be OK in order to support others in any circumstance, especially in an emergency. I learned about leaving no trace, leaving the outdoors better than I found it, and teaching the crew I co-led that having a service ethic included leaving a place and space better. I also learned to facilitate individual performance meetings with each crew member, which meant giving and receiving feedback, and checking in about individual and crew goals and expectations. We were directed to support our crew in becoming leaders themselves. How, you ask, when I was still figuring out how to be a leader myself? Good question.

I’ll never forget the young man on our crew who challenged me over and over again. He didn’t act the same way with my male co-lead, and I felt he had a hard time with being led by a woman. Over time, through dialoguing and listening, I realized he really just wanted to grow, and had previous experience that I didn’t have. When I delegated responsibilities to him and others on the crew, dynamics shifted and became more positive. That was a huge lesson for me. Sometimes, letting go of someone’s hand is really lifting them up because they’re ready to spread their wings. You just need to trust them. MCC isn’t simply an outdoor experience for growth but rather a professional development opportunity and leadership development program. 

The year of service with MCC was different because I was different. I became more of the woman I wanted to be. I was supported in this development by friends and family, but even more importantly, by people who mentored me. I still call on them for advice, look up to them for their work, and for who they are in the world as people. MCC taught me that relationships matter. I try to live this out in my everyday life. 

I wonder now how many lives have been changed and impacted because of Montana Conservation Corps volunteers. And even more so, how cuts to AmeriCorps might impact communities in Montana, public lands, and our beloved outdoors. Montana would be impacted, and what’s worse, so will the young people, like me, who would benefit from this program. 

From rural to urban communities, AmeriCorps programs are the boots on the ground. They are the folks showing up when others have stopped, and the hearts that believe that what they’re doing will make a difference.

Pictured above left: Morgan and fellow crew leaders, members, and agency partners pose wearing dresses and holding tools as a statement of female empowerment in trail work.

Call To Action! #AmeriCorpsIsAmerica

AmeriCorps is in peril and there’s a very real possibility of a future without it. We can’t let that happen. 

This summer, MCC needs your help reminding our fellow citizens and elected officials that AmeriCorps is America at its best. 

Please contact your Members of Congress to share your AmeriCorps story and let them know why you want to see AmeriCorps continue. Visit Congress.Gov to connect with your Senators and Representatives, or visit the Service Year Alliance website for social media tools.