Photo by Shonda Feather
The 2025 Central Cascades Trail Skills College was another huge success thanks to the support of our incredible instructors, community partners, PCTA staff, and volunteers who attended classes!
This year’s event hosted nearly 80 participants who learned valuable skills ranging from the very basics of trail maintenance to crew leadership to more advanced skills like mechanical advantage and how to build turnpikes as well as skills like first aid and plant identification!
Photo by Shonda Feather
While the learning and classes are the reason we get together for Trail Skills College, the community building is what makes it feel so special. This event is attended by Mount Hood Chapter crew leaders and caretakers who have contributed thousands of hours of service and volunteers who are doing their very first hour with the PCTA. We have support from partners at the United States Forest Service and host students from partner organizations across the region. There are PCTA chapters represented from across several regions, with at least 4 different chapters participating in the event. It gives us all a chance to come together over our shared love of trails, volunteering, and stewardship no matter our experience, skill-level, or background. Trail Skills College is a chance for us to make connections and learn from each other.
“It was incredibly rewarding to have the chance to join Central Cascades TSC. There was such an energizing mix of volunteers—brand-new folks just getting started, those really finding their stride, and seasoned crew leaders who continue to show up with commitment and a willingness to share their knowledge. Huge shoutout to the staff and volunteers who brought this training to life with their hard work, heart, and collaboration. It’s moments like these that remind me why the PCTA community is so powerful.” – Amy Calvillo Aubin, Associate Director of Volunteer Programs
Photo by Lauren Ruhe
Adding to the community feel of the event, we are supported by generous local partners. The Port of Cascade Locks helps with access to Marine Park, the ideal location for our event right in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. Dinners are provided and prepared by Go Beyond Racing. Thunder Island Brewing in Cascade Locks donates beer for our volunteers to enjoy after a long day out on the trail, Shonda Feathers is a photographer for our event, and Tom Brauner donated a lightweight rock bar for the training. Thank you to LazyDaze Hammocks for the hammock donation for a door prize giveaway. These contributions mean so much to our volunteers and help us create a memorable and impactful event to inspire our work throughout the entire trail season.
Thank you to everyone who helped with this event – those listed above and everyone else who gave us their time for the Central Cascades Trail Skills College!