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!
End-to-Enders (E2E) Panel
Date: Friday, May 4th, 7 Pm – 9 PM
GMC Visitor Center
Waterbury Center, VT
and Live Broadcast from ORCA Media
The GMC End-to-Enders Panel is an informative Q&A, show-and-tell style panel intended to provide quality backpacking information to aspiring end-to-enders. Wondering about the best lightweight tent or how to not get bored of 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 or planning.
Instructor: LT End-to-Enders
Limit: 50 on site. Unlimited for Live Broadcast.
Fee: FREE!
Please register at least one week in advance.
Never Too Old: Senior Backpacking
Date: Thursday, May 10th, 6 PM – 8 PM
GMC Visitor Center
Waterbury Center, VT
If hiking the Long Trail is still on your bucket list, but at your age you’re wondering if it’s a goal you should give up on, think again. GMC members Alan Paschell and Morgan Irons completed an LT end-to-end through hike in 2013 and again in 2017, at sixty-two and sixty-six, and lived to tell the tale. In this workshop “Pokey” and “Tag-Along” share what they’ve learned about senior hiking, including its humorous side, and some basic backpacking knowledge they’ve acquired through trial and error.
Instructors: Morgan Irons and Alan Paschell
Limit: 30
Fee: $10 Non-member, $8 GMC Member
Please register at least one week in advance.
Spring Wildflower Workshop
Date: Wednesday, May 16th, 5:30 PM – 8 PM
Location: Kirchner Woods – Stowe, VT
As Robert Frost wrote, “Nature’s first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf’s a flower, But only so an hour… So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay.” After months of black, grey, and brown, we will search the Waterbury-Stowe valley in search of Vermont’s first spring colors. Learn how to identify common ephemeral wildflowers, and explore the fascinating ecology of early-season flora. Hosted by our friends from Montpelier’s North Branch Nature Center. This workshop meets at Kirchner Woods on Taber Hill Road in Stowe, VT. Click here for location in Google Maps.
Instructors: NBNC Education Staff
Limit: 15
Fee: $25 Non-member, $20 GMC or NBNC Member
Please register at least one week in advance.
Wild Edibles of the Northeast
Date: Saturday, May 26th, 9 AM – 12:30 PM
GMC Visitor Center
Waterbury Center, VT
Are you intrigued by mushroom and plant foraging? Join Ari Rockland-Miller of The Mushroom Forager on a tour of late spring’s wild tastes and tonics. In May, the woods burst with a profusion of tender new greens and mushrooms. Our program begins with a colorful presentation introducing wildcrafting safety, strategy, and sustainability, along with highlighting species of wild greens and mushrooms. Then, enjoy a guided foray exploring the rich woods around the Green Mountain Club Visitor Center as we learn about the the culinary and medicinal treasures of springtime. Stick around for a tasting after the hunt!
Instructor: Ari Rockland-Miller
Limit: 20
Fee: $40 Non-Member, $32 GMC Member
Please register at least one week in advance.
FULL. Please contact GMC to be added to the waitlist.
Birding on the Long Trail
Date: Saturday, June 9th, 6 AM – 12 PM
Location: Barnes Camp Visitor Center, Stowe, VT
Ever wonder what birds you are seeing and hearing along your hikes through the Green Mountains? Join us on a hike to identify and learn about the most common and intriguing birds encountered along the Long Trail. We’ll meet a variety of species across a range of ecosystems and elevations, with the ultimate goal of reaching the alpine habitat of Vermont’s most threatened bird, the Bicknell’s Thrush. Hosted by our friends from Montpelier’s North Branch Nature Center.
Instructor: NBNC Education Staff
Limit: 10
Fee: $40 Non-Member, $32 GMC Member
Please register at least one week in advance.
Women’s Intro to Backpacking Weekend
Dates: Saturday, June 23rd – Sunday, June 24th
Location: The Long Trail, north of Johnson, VT. Exact location TBA. Full itinerary will be sent to participants two weeks in advance.
Want to try backpacking, but don’t want to go it alone? This overnight course will provide a solid foundation of backcountry skills in a relaxed, supportive environment, while having fun with other adventurous women. This trip is open to all people who identify as women.
Before we depart, we will meet at the GMC’s headquarters to go over our gear and itinerary before carpooling to the trailhead. Instructors will provide a suggested gear list two weeks in advance. Participants are responsible for their own snacks and lunches, but Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast will be provided.
Instructor: GMC Staff
Limit: 8
Fee: $150 Non-member, $120 GMC Member
Please register at least two weeks in advance.
Wheeler Pond Yoga and Hiking Retreat
Dates: Friday, July 13th (5 PM) – Sunday, July 15th, 2018
Location: Wheeler Pond, Barton VT
Join Lori Flower of Karmic Connection Yoga for a Weekend of Hiking and Yoga in the beautiful Northeast Kingdom. Awaken your senses and relax while mindfully moving through the forest. Savor restorative evenings, stretching out by the fire at your shared rustic cabin or camp out solo under the stars. Lori’s gentle, holistic approach to yoga and bodywork makes this a wonderful opportunity for individuals new to yoga or those wishing bring depth to their existing practice.
Instructor: Lori Flower
Limit: 8
Fee: $250 Non-member, $200 GMC Member
Please register at least two weeks in advance.
Price includes rustic, shared lodging, and breakfast and dinner during your stay. Participants are responsible for providing lunches and snacks as well as personal gear. Suggested gear list and itinerary will be sent to participants two weeks before the retreat. Please contact for more information.
SOLO Wilderness First Aid
Dates: June 30th – July 1st, 2018 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: 25
Fee: $190 Non-member, $170 GMC Member. Please note on your registration form if you need WFR recertification and/or CPR (additional fees apply).
Age Limit: 14 and up
Please register at least two weeks in advance.
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.
