ATC Cullowhee 2013 will be held at Western Carolina University (WCU) July 19-26. The five AT trail maintaining clubs in North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee have been working on all aspects of this event. TEHCC is responsible for organizing the workshops while other clubs are handling volunteers, hike selection, excursions, entertainment, housing, etc. We expect near 1000 people to attend this week long event.
Volunteering is fun. It is a great way to meet people, to learn something new, to really be a part of this event. You can volunteer to lead a hike or an excursion, moderate a workshop, or help at the information desk or registration to name just a few possibilities. Volunteering is easy, just complete the convenient online form at appalachiantrail.org/2013biennial and someone will contact you with more information.
TEHCC is responsible for the workshops. A slate of 70 workshops have been compiled to run during the day on Saturday and Sunday July 20-21 and on Monday and Tuesday evenings July 22-23. There are seven tracks: Cultural Heritage, Environmental Issues, Hiking & Backpacking Skills, Natural Wonders, Outreach, Trail Management, and Volunteer Leadership Development. Volunteers are needed to help with the workshop program in three areas. The most volunteers are needed as “moderators” for the workshops – introduce the speaker, watch the time, call for questions at the end, thank them etc. This is a good way to get a ringside seat at workshops that interest you, and although the conference program will not be published until spring, we can share the workshop schedule if you’d like to select one or more workshops to moderate. We also need volunteers to cover a desk in the building where the workshops will be held to assist attendees and presenters. Finally, there will be a workshops desk that will be staffed in the main registration area from the opening day until the last workshop on July 23.
On the same ATC web page, there is a list of all activities in the planning stages. As hikes, excursions, workshops and entertainment are finalized, this page will be updated with the latest info, so check back often. April is expected to be the main rollout.
Cullowhee is surrounded by beautiful mountains, with access to many hiking trails. There are opportunities for tent and RV camping, or you may stay in the air-conditioned dorms at WCU. There are also hotel and motel options nearby. Come for the whole week or the weekend or any number of days. Start planning a 2013 vacation at the biennial and plan to volunteer one of the days you are there.