CorpsTHAT Crew – 005
2024 Season
Program Year: 2024
Project Partners: Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forest, Green Mountain Club, and Ridgeline Outdoor Collective
Program Dates: June 26th, 2024 to August 4th, 2024
Leader(s): Jemima Chong and Michael Paige
Number of Corps Members: 6
Ages of Corps Member: 21-30
Crew 005 was stationed in Vermont and New York, moving between Green Mountain National Forest and Finger Lakes National Forest for five weeks. The crew got the opportunity to partner with Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forest, Ridgeline Outdoor Collective, and Green Mountain Club. The partnerships were unique because at least one project partner from each partnership could sign and communicate directly with the crew.
The purpose of Crew 005 is to expand on individual’s experiences in the outdoors, grow their interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, and encourage them to value their connection with nature. The crew worked and camped together for five weeks, they had to learn to work as a team and to build their adversity to crew dynamics and uncertainty of what each day would bring regarding weather or types of projects.
Check out the article on CorpsTHAT Crew 005 in Green Mountain Club’s Long Trail News Fall 2024 Edition (click here)
Project Accomplishments
- 9 members hired
- 255+ hours of outreach, training, and education
- 20+ hours of recreation
- Biked on the Burlington Greenway with Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports
- Sailed around Lake Champlain with a Deaf sailing instructor
- Participated in Access the Outdoors event with the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources at Emerald Lake State Park
- 1600+ hours working on conservation projects for the U.S. Forest Service and non-profit land management organizations
- 50+ gallons of invasive plants removed
- 400+ willow stakes planted
- 2.37 acres of land restoration
- 20 flying squirrel boxes built
- 1 hazardous recreation site infrastructure removed
- 1 facility building maintained
- 950 recreation brochures organized and folded
- 2000+ native species planted
- 1 front country campground improved
- 5.3 miles of trail maintained
- 200+ variety of drainage systems maintained
- 2 drain system installed
- 5 downed trees removed
- 1 brush in system built
- 15+ trail blazes painted
Project Locations
Rochester Recreation Trail Work, GMNF & Green Mountain Club
Chittenden Brook Trail and the Brandon Gap on The Long Trail
Vegetation Removal with Heritage Staff, GMNF
Robert Frost Wayside & Little Rock
Japanese Stiltgrass Removal, FLNF
Breakneck Creek
Finger Lakes Recreation Department, FLNF
Bolter Creek, Potomac Trail, Backbone Horse Camp
Steven Guerrier, 26, Long Island, NY.
Short story of my experience with CorpsTHAT last summer: I was the peer leader for crew 005. I learned and grew through many experiences throughout the summer with CorpsTHAT and the Green Mountain National Forest. I learned how to build many things and communicate with others, and I was challenged to work on maintaining drainage on trails and dealing with muddy boots, using tools such as McLeod and Mattock, and even more. I loved being immersed in nature, working with the forest service, and the natural world. This experience helped me gain confidence, improve my teamwork and leadership skills, embrace my balanced time, and feel empowered in my ability to communicate.
Eian Federle, 21, La Grange, IL. “Society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in”- Anonymous Greek Proverb
Seeing vast expanses of forests and mountains and lakes, sometimes I could feel a sense of urgency, and desperation to save the world from ourselves, but also, more often than not, I feel a sense of relief. That it’ll be okay. There are so many other groups and organizations like us and government entities that are helping to conserve and preserve the world’s unique and beautiful nature. We removed invasive plants to make way for natives to grow healthy. We planted willows on riverbanks to prevent erosion and help them grow healthy too. We maintained trail systems so nature and hiking enjoyers would continue to enjoy it.
In the last week, we planted native pollinator plants and grasses in multiple areas. The work was simple and therapeutic and even though it was hot, I could feel relief after we finished the project. That we saved this part of the world or at least we healed a scar on the earth.
Jemima Chong, 27, Malaysia. Every day is an adventure.
I have been living in Kentucky for 8 years enrolling in schools. Currently, I’m working on my master’s in general biology with environmental education certification at Eastern Kentucky University. I also had a BA in Recreation Management and Event Planning. This program of CorpsTHAT gave me grounding, enriching, and life-changing experiences through challenges and growth which also incorporated new skills and knowledge of conservation work and leadership development. Also, it is an excellent start to joining this program toward many future opportunities for Deaf communities. I learned a few important lessons as a crew leader: 1) Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. 2) If you feel overwhelmed, ask for help. And 3) Empower crew members to their potential during the program.
This crew was made possible in thanks to a partnership with the US Forest Service Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forest and from funding from REI Cooperative Action Fund and from donations from CorpsTHAT’s annual fundraiser, Sol Fest.
In addition we are grateful for the many donations from local food stores and farms that kept our crew fed and fueled this summer!
