Work-Based Learning Trail Crews

Regions:  North Cascades & Eastern Washington

Student volunteers with the Curlew Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center helped build several backcountry trail structures on the Kettle Crest trail system during our 2023 field season, including this puncheon bridge.

Backcountry Construction

Our Work-Based Learning Trail Crews are supervised by experienced PNTA crew leaders, and are typically staffed by students from the Curlew Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center, in Eastern Washington. These young adults are provided with a unique work experience, learning and applying construction trade skills, using equipment and techniques appropriate to remote backcountry settings. 

Crews construct bridges, puncheon walkways, trailhead kiosks, campground facilities, trails and other outdoor recreation infrastructure. Typically, each crew spends nine days camping out in the backcountry, before returning to the Curlew Job Corps Campus to resume their work-based learning.

A crew member brushes-out the Hannegan Pass Trail in 2017
A crew member brushes-out the Hannegan Pass Trail in 2017
PNTA Crews rehabilitate tread using hand tools
PNTA Crews rehabilitate tread using hand tools
PNTA-Job Corps Trail Crews construct gabions to reinforce the banks at Blum Creek
PNTA-Job Corps Trail Crews construct gabions to reinforce the banks at Blum Creek
PNTA-Job Corps Trail Crews construct gabions to reinforce the banks at Blum Creek
PNTA-Job Corps Trail Crews construct reinforce the banks at Blum Creek
PNTA - Jobcorps Crews worked on the Mt Baker- Snoqualmie NF in 2017
PNTA - Jobcorps Crews worked on the Mt Baker- Snoqualmie NF in 2017
Crews installed food lockers and fire rings at campsites on the Colville NF in 2017
Crews installed food lockers and fire rings at campsites on the Colville NF in 2017
PNTA - Job Corps crews work to install a stairway
PNTA - Job Corps crews work to install a stairway
PNTA works with Job Corps students to maintain trails
PNTA works with Job Corps students to maintain trails
PNTA-Job Corps Trail Crews apply construction skills in a backcountry setting
PNTA-Job Corps Trail Crews apply construction skills in a backcountry setting
A crew member is aided by a toter to haul rock to the work site
A crew member is aided by a toter to haul rock to a work site
2016 Job Corps students repaired puncheon bridges under Cody Pohren
2016 Job Corps students repaired puncheon bridges under Cody Pohren
In 2017, crews worked on the Hannegan Pass and Baker Lake Trails in the MBS
In 2017, crews worked on the Hannegan Pass and Baker Lake Trails in the MBS
PNTA Sawyer Crew
Sawyer crews pack chainsaws out to a remote worksite

Translate this Web Page

Job Corps helps young adults, ages 16 – 24, improve the quality of their lives through vocational and academic training.  For 14 seasons, the PNTA has provided work opportunities that let students apply their skills in the construction of outdoor recreational infrastructure on our public lands.

Trade Skills for At-Risk Youth

Since 2005, the PNTA has successfully partnered with Job Corps a no-cost education and vocational training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor. Job Corps helps young adults, ages 16 – 24, improve the quality of their lives through vocational and academic training.

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