The Green Mountain Club offers a variety of programs and workshops to help you or your group travel safely and confidently in Vermont’s backcountry and have fun while doing it. Most workshops are hosted at GMC’s Visitor Center in Waterbury Center, VT, but some are out in the field all over the state. We offer programming in Leave No Trace, Wilderness First Aid through SOLO Schools, Map and Compass, Winter Trekking, Vermont Ecology, Women’s Backpacking, Yoga and Hiking, Adirondack Pack Basket Making, Trail Maintenance, and more! Please contact us with any questions.
If you’re interested in a GMC educator hosting a program with your work, school, or volunteer group, please contact us. We can work with you to put on a great program that meets your needs!
Intro to Cold Weather Trekking
Wednesday, February 6th, 2019
6 PM – 8 PM
GMC Visitor Center
Waterbury Center, VT
Whether your winter trip will last one day or several, you will need to know the fundamentals of safe winter travel in the backcountry. This workshop provides hands-on winter-specific information where you will learn what to wear, what to bring and what gear you need for a safe and successful winter trip. We will discuss food, base- versus mid-layers, shells, socks, snowshoes, sweat, hats, handwarmers, hydration, boots, traction, and more! If you don’t own winter traction devices or have never worn the ones you have, this workshop is for you.
Instructor: GMC Education Staff
Limit: 25
Fee: $25 (GMC members receive 20% off)
Please register at least one week in advance
Register
Adirondack Pack Basket Workshop
Saturday and Sunday, February 16-17, 2019
10 AM – 5 PM
GMC Visitor Center
Waterbury Center, VT
Come join the Green Mountain Club and take part in one the most ancient crafting traditions, basketry. Our instructor, Andy Paonessa is a craftsman, naturalist, and farmer who lives in Northern Vermont. He has been making Adirondack style pack baskets and teaching workshops for over 10 years. In this two-day workshop, participants will build pack baskets from start to finish, complete with cedar skids and canvas straps. Cost includes all materials.
Instructor: Andy Paonessa
Limit: 10
Fee: $200.00 (GMC members receive 20% off)
Rain or shine. Please register at least two weeks in advance.
Register
Full Moon Snowshoe Walk – February
Wednesday, February 20th, 2019
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
GMC Visitor Center
Waterbury Center, VT
Strap on a pair of snowshoes and enjoy an evening winter walk under the full moon with GMC Education Staff. We will explore open meadows and wooded areas around the GMC’s Waterbury Center campus as we learn about winter wildlife adaptations and winter astronomy (weather permitting). Afterwards, we will enjoy hot chocolate in the warmth of our Visitor Center. This is a family-friendly outing that is geared toward all ages. Bring your own snowshoes or rent a pair for an additional fee. If renting snowshoes, you must register at least one week in advance.
Instructor: GMC Education Staff
Limit: 20
Fee: $25 ($45 with snowshoe rental) (GMC members receive 20% off)
Snow or shine. Please register at least one week in advance.
Register
Ice Climbing with Petra Cliffs
Saturday, February 23, 2019
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Smuggler’s Notch State Park
Stowe, VT
Learn the exhilarating sport of ice climbing! Join the Green Mountain Club and Petra Cliffs for a full day of climbing in beautiful Smuggler’s Notch. With the guidance of a professional instructor, you will learn how to move over easy to moderate terrain while ascending frozen waterfalls. No climbing experience is necessary. Cost includes an AMGA certified ice guide and all technical climbing equipment. Group will meet in the morning for a boot fitting, harness sizing and introduction at the Green Mountain Club Headquarters in Waterbury Center.
Instructor: Petra Cliffs Mountaineering School
GMC Members $100.00 Non-Members $125.00
Limit: 6
Please register at least two weeks in advance.
Register
Map and Compass 101
Saturday, March 9th, 2019
12 PM – 4 PM
GMC Visitor Center
Waterbury Center, VT
Develop your navigation skills in the woods with a map and compass. Build your confidence in using these essential outdoor tools as we practice “getting lost” and finding ourselves in indoor and outdoor exercises. Learn what to do when you run into a cliff or river, how to interpret terrain, and how to take and use compass bearings to find out where you are and which way to go. No experience necessary. Compasses provided, but bring your own if you have one so we can compare compass styles. Be prepared to spend most of the time outdoors. Hike rating: easy to moderate.
Instructor: David Hathaway (GMC Burlington Section)
Limit: 12
Fee: $30 and members receive 20% off
Age Limit: 14 and up
Register at least one week in advance.
Register
Mammal Tracking Workshop
Date: Saturday, March 23rd, 2019
Time: 10 AM – 1 PM
GMC Visitor Center
Waterbury Center, VT
Learn to identify tracks and sign of winter wildlife. Practice interpreting the clues in animal tracks and trails to reveal exciting tales of life, love, and survival in the Vermont woods. Learn to read the fascinating stories written in the February snowscape by our local fauna. Hosted at the GMC headquarters by our friends from Montpelier’s North Branch Nature Center.
Instructor: NBNC Staff
Limit: 15
Fee: $25
Snow or shine. Please register at least one week in advance
Register
Full Moon Snowshoe Walk – March
Wednesday, March 20th, 2019
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
GMC Visitor Center
Waterbury Center, VT
Strap on a pair of snowshoes and enjoy an evening winter walk under the full moon with GMC Education Staff. We will explore open meadows and wooded areas around the GMC’s Waterbury Center campus as we learn about winter wildlife adaptations and winter astronomy (weather permitting). Afterwards, we will enjoy hot chocolate in the warmth of our Visitor Center. This is a family-friendly outing that is geared toward all ages. Bring your own snowshoes or rent a pair for an additional fee. If renting snowshoes, you must register at least one week in advance.
Instructor: GMC Education Staff
Limit: 20
Fee: $25 ($45 with snowshoe rental) (GMC members receive 20% off)
Snow or shine. Please register at least one week in advance.
Register
SOLO Wilderness First Aid 
Date: April 6th – April 7th, 2019, 9 AM – 5 PM
GMC Visitor Center, Waterbury Center
Sign up early—this course fills fast! This sixteen-hour, hands-on course will prepare you for backcountry medical emergencies. Its focus is on the prevention, recognition, and treatment of injuries and illnesses. Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) recertification is provided upon completion.
Instructor: SOLO
Limit: 24
Fee: $190 Non-member, $170 GMC Member. WFR recertification and/or CPR available (additional fees apply).
Age Limit: 14 and up
Please register at least two weeks in advance.
Register
Cancellation Policy: Refunds will be provided for cancellations made at least a week before workshop start date. No refunds for reservations cancelled less than seven days before the workshop start date. Workshop dates and venues are subject to change. GMC reserves the right to cancel a program at any time, in which case the club will notify registrants via email and a full refund will be provided.
