The following are the six Trail Master courses, as submitted by each TMC host. Each describes the location, facilities, dates and individual costs and contact information. Each host is working to ensure every AERC member who attends these sessions will have an optimum multi-use trail learning experience.

Each course is open to 10 AERC members and two land managers, and will fill up quickly, so please make your TMC reservation soon.

Withlacoochee State Forest, Florida, December 11-14, 2008

The course will be held at Rock Lake Lodge in the Withlacoochee State Forest, four miles from the intersection of U.S. 98 and I-75. There are a number of lodging options in that vicinity. Motels include Hampton Inn, Best Western, Days Inn and Holiday Inn Express. There are a couple of local B&Bs and there is a RV campground within a mile of the course in the Withlacoochee State Forest Silver Lake campground complex. There are also a number of AERC members in the area who you may want to contact for a place to stay.

The course cost is $120. To sign up or get more information, contact Truman Prevatt at tprevatt@mindspring.com or call 352-650-1867.

Bear Creek Mountain Resort and Conference Center, Macungie, Pennsylvania, April 16-19, 2009

We will be hosting a Trail Master Class at the Bear Creek Mountain Resort and Conference Center in Eastern Pennsylvania, close to ABE International Airport and about 90 minutes north of Philadelphia. Off-site camping is nearby but they are offering great deals to stay at the spa and conference center.

We will be working the onsite trail system, which crosses the Appalachian Trail. The course cost is $120. (There is plenty to do for family members not taking the course.) The resort website is www.skibearcreek.com.

To register or for more information contact Sandy Terp at 908-479-4620 or e-mail my7ponies@embarqmail.com.

Fort Stanton, New Mexico, May 6-9

The Fort Stanton TMC is at the Bunkhouse on Hwy. 220 just outside of Fort Stanton. There are limited bunks and a kitchen. Camping is available and motels are as close as four miles away in Capitan. Eateries and grocery stores are there also. Lunches will be catered. The fees will be $160, including lunches and clinometer. The $120 for the clinometer will not be refunded for no-shows.

This site boasts many good BLM trails to work. We are also planning to have a Ditch Witch so everyone can get familiar with operating it on trails. Contact Roger Taylor at Roger_Sue@prodigy.net.

Chinook Pass USF Work Center, Washington, June 3-6

The Northwest Region will host a Trail Master course in early June. I need a list of persons wanting to sign up for the course as soon as possible. Approximate cost is $120 to AERC plus you will have lodging and meals on top of that. At the 2006 course, several of us camped at a nearby campground that had cabins, electrical hookups for trailers or campers, and hot showers. We did a community breakfast and potlucked in the evening. I provided hot soup and sandwiches for the lunches.

The course will follow the same format as in 2006: classroom stuff will be in the morning, followed by a test, then lunch, followed by in the field demos and trail work. We need firm commitments, so e-mail soon with your name and contact information: gailwilliams@nwinfo.net.

Hillsdale State Park, Kansas, September 8-11

The Kansas City Trail Master class will be located at Hillsdale Lake State Park near Hillsdale, Kansas. Camping is available at Saddle Ridge Equestrian Campground. Camping fees will apply based on primitive camping or hook-ups. Feel free to bring your horse in case you have time to ride. Hotels, grocery stores, and restaurants are located as close as nine miles away.

The Trail Master course will be based out of the Saddle Ridge Equestrian Campground. Vehicle permits are required and can be purchased at the campground entrance.

The week will be broken into two parts. The TMC will be September 8-11 (limited to 10 participants). The mechanized class is September 12 and 13 (limited to six participants). The $120 fee is refundable as long as enough notice is given. The mechanized class is free, and open to TMC graduates.

Contact Monica Chapman for payment information, class availability, and all other questions: 913-471-4840 or LM-Farms@ckt.net.

Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, California, October 22-25

The West Region Trail Master course will be held at the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area in Granite Bay, California. Not unlike many public lands in the West, Folsom Lake has an extensive network of multi-use trails that will provide participants challenging opportunities to learn and apply trail maintenance and construction principles. In addition to great trail access, the location provides an excellent classroom venue.

For participants who travel from outside the area, camping is available within a few miles of the classroom venue. Additionally, many hotel and restaurant choices are within 10 miles. The course cost is $120. Contact Steve Hallmark at SteveHallmark@zetabb.com for information or to sign up.

Note: For additional TMC information, please go to the Trail Master webpage, read the course agenda, talk with AERC members who have taken the course, and please do not hesitate to contact me. It is guaranteed that you will never look at a trail the same way again!