Trail Apprentice Program

The 2027 Program will run from December 2026 through June 2027. 

Throughout the 2027 program, Apprentices will build leadership skills by working with PNTS and one of the National Scenic or Historic Trails on a project. The projects may involve developing skills in communications, social media, advocacy and policy, community engagement, research, programs, and more. Apprentices will be matched with a project based on skill set, interests, and geographic location. Project work will take place between December 14, 2026 and June 30, 2027. Apprentices will provide valuable perspectives to PNTS work and leave the program with hands-on experience and a greater knowledge of priority issues in the trails community. In addition to working on a project with PNTS, the program will include orientation to the National Trails System, career exploration, and team-building virtual sessions. 

Additionally as part of the program, 2027 Apprentices will join PNTS staff at either the 2027 Hike the Hill® in Washington, D.C. from February 28-March 4, or the International Trails Summit in Durham, North Carolina from April 11-15, 2027. 

Attendance at 2027 Hike the Hill® will provide skill-building, communication and advocacy opportunities diving into a variety of topics important to trail protection such as trail funding and appropriations, legislation impacting trails such as the Legacy Restoration Fund and the Explore Act, trail corridor protection, land management and stewardship, community engagement, advocacy and policy, and more. Apprentices who attend this event will be an active part of the event dialogue, engaging in meetings with Federal agency leaders, congressional committee members, and individual members of Congress, and networking amongst the National Trails and public lands professionals. 

Learn more about Hike the Hill® here. 

Attendance at the International Trails Summit in Durham, North Carolina will provide the opportunity to build skills with educational and training sessions in topic areas such as how trails strengthen local economies and communities, building the trails workforce, belonging and access, health and wellness, partnerships and advocacy, storytelling, research and technology, and building technical trail skills. This event will provide networking opportunities with 800+ attendees from the public, private, and non-profit sectors. 

Learn more about the International Trails Summit here. 

For both of these in-person events, PNTS will cover registration, travel and lodging costs to those selected for the 2027 program. 

• Want to build skills in research, public speaking, social media, communications and marketing, advocacy and policy, or project management;
• Are interested in learning more about National Scenic and Historic Trails;
• Are able to dedicate 15 hours a month to attending virtual sessions and working on an assigned project;
• Want to build connections with other young professionals in the program and experienced professionals in the trails community;
• Are able to travel to and attend the 2027 Hike the Hill® event in Washington, D.C. or the International Trails Summit in Durham, North Carolina;
• Are interested in gaining knowledge and skills in advocacy and policy, trail funding, land management and stewardship, communications and marketing, and community engagement; and,
• Are interested in exploring different career paths and building their resume. 

• Attend both Orientation sessions on December 14, 2026 and January 12, 2027.
• Work on assigned project between December 14, 2026 and June 30, 2027. Project work will be supervised by PNTS staff and include regular check-in calls to support project completion. 
• Participate in a presentation at the 2027 Hike the Hill or International Trails Summit. Assist PNTS staff with attendee registration, creation of materials, and creating live social media content. 
• Attend 3 out of the 5 virtual sessions.
• Complete 5 hours of volunteer work that benefits a trail, historic site, or public land area in your local community. 

• Participated in an educational orientation about the history of the National Trails System, public land management, priority topics in the trails community and the structure and activities of PNTS.

   

• Completed projects that built skills in communications, fundraising, advocacy and policy, programs, video production, event planning, research and more.

   

• Explored careers and built connections with Trail Apprentice alumni and established professionals who work in trails and public lands in a variety of disciplines including communications, volunteer management, trail operations, and land protection.

   

• Completed 5 hours of volunteer work that benefited trails or public lands in their community and built local connections.

   

• Attended the 2025 Lands Summit and Training in San Antonio, Texas and had the opportunity to attend educational presentations, trainings, and networking events with professionals in the National Trails community. The apprentices also led a presentation at the event and were an active part of our National Trails System joint planning sessions.