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Volunteer at Barnes Camp Visitor Center this Summer!

May 19, 2016 by GMC Staff 3 Comments

Barnes Camp (2)

We are partering with Smugglers’ Notch State Park, Stowe Mountain Resort, and Lamoille County Planning Commission to staff the historical Barnes Camp at Smugglers’ Notch this summer and fall – and we need your help! Barnes Camp will be open as a visitor center each weekend from Friday, June 24, 2016 – Sunday, October 9, 2016.

Originally built by Willis Barnes in 1910 as a logging camp, the structure has been used as a Long Trail hiking shelter, a ski dormitory, and off-day housing for Green Mountain Club caretakers. In 2014, Barnes Camp underwent a complete renovation with the goal of establishing a primary point of contact for area visitors interested in recreation and the natural history of Smugglers’ Notch.

DSC_0267“Barnes Camp is among the Notch’s most treasured historic buildings and is a key piece of Vermont’s tourism and recreation history,” said Mike DeBonis, executive director of the Green Mountain Club. “Barnes Camp once provided food and shelter for hikers and skiers and played an important role in Vermont’s recreational industry. We’re excited to see Barnes Camp open to the public once again.”

Volunteers who love meeting new people and enjoy sharing their knowledge of the natural and cultural significance of the area are needed for four-hour shifts on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Volunteer benefits include free passes to Smugglers’ Notch State Park, a membership to the Green Mountain Club, and free lift passes at Smugglers’ Notch Resort. A volunteer orientation is scheduled for Saturday, June 18.

To learn more, contact GMC.

Filed Under: News

Comments

  1. Jim Pease says

    March 20, 2017 at 7:13 am

    Has there been any thought given to having the center staffed in the winter? There is an enormous weekend travel crowd using the area and it would be great outreach for the GMC. Also having something done about the pet waste problem would be enormous.

    Reply
    • Kristin McLane says

      March 23, 2017 at 8:17 am

      Hi Jim,

      Thank you for your message.

      My understanding is that the Barnes Camp Board plans to operate the facility in winter. Staffing/volunteer capacity and operating costs are the current barriers to keeping the building open all year. I agree that Barnes Camp would be a great winter outpost. Having the building staffed and offering education and outreach would also help cut down on the dog waste problem.

      Mike DeBonis
      Executive Director

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Vermont's New Favorite Loop Hike: Barnes Camp Loop - Green Mountain Club says:
    June 21, 2018 at 5:33 pm

    […] coincide with its original route past the historic Barnes Camp structure (now the volunteer-staffed Barnes Camp Visitor Center). In a traditional trail relocation, all traces of the previous path are brushed in and obscured to […]

    Reply

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Camel’s Hump: Hiker Reflections on Their Backyard Mountain

June 26, 2025

Rising from the spine of the Green Mountains, Camel's Hump is home to scenic views, a wilderness feel with its undeveloped summit, and choose-you-own-adventure hiking options. The mountain's proximity to more populated areas like Burlington and Waterbury make it a popular and well-hiked destination, … Read more

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Mission

The Green Mountain Club is the founder and maintainer of the Long Trail - the oldest long distance hiking trail in America. Established in 1910 to build this trail stretching the length of Vermont, the club now also maintains the Appalachian Trail in Vermont and trails in the Northeast Kingdom in its mission to "make the Vermont mountains play a larger part in the life of the people." Read more...

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Join a guided hike on the Short Trail this summer!

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 tips to have a successful hike 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. Hikes take place on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 10am, and on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 2pm. Allow about an hour with plenty of stops to explore.

Wednesday, July 16
Tuesday, July 22

Wednesday, Aug 6
Tuesday, August 12
Wednesday, August 20
Tuesday, August 26
Wednesday, Sept 3

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