The YMCA Earth Service Corps joined forces with the Washington Trails Association to get dirty at Mount Saint Helens for a week of environmental restoration.

Over a 6 day period eight teens from 7 different high schools and 2 YMCA staff put in 40 hours of service each, clearing and restoring overgrown trails near Norway Pass. Each day the group hiked into their service site with tools in hand to weather 90 degree weather and swarms of biting flies all in the name of making the trails they were working on accessible once again to hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts.

In addition to trail work teens built friendships, gained leadership skills, took daily swims in nearby Meta Lake, learned to cook great meals in the backcountry and had a wonderful time giving back!