Yes, trail stewardship is about maintaining trails. It’s also about building community, passing down knowledge, and inspiring the next generation to care for the places they ride.
That spirit was fully on display at Rocky Point on April 26 as NWTA hosted a special “Take Your Kids to Trail Work” day focused on introducing families and young riders to the world of trail building.
In total, 32 volunteers came out for the event, creating an energetic and family-friendly atmosphere in the woods. With a nearly perfect 1:1 ratio of kids to adults, the day blended stewardship, mentorship, and plenty of fun.
The goal of the day was simple: get kids excited about digging and show families that trail work can be both meaningful and enjoyable. Mission accomplished.
Volunteers spent the day moving dirt, shaping trail, and working together on improvements throughout the system. Along the way, kids learned the basics of trail building while getting hands-on experience with tools, teamwork, and the satisfaction that comes from building something that others will enjoy.
And yes, there were a few debates over who got the purple tools.
One of the standout moments from the day came from a young volunteer who looked at a freshly built berm and told their dad, “Dad, like 1000 people are going to ride that berm we just built, that’s so cool.”
That quote perfectly captures why events like this matter.
Today’s young volunteers are tomorrow’s trail stewards, crew leaders, advocates, and builders. Giving kids the opportunity to connect with trails in a hands-on way helps create a deeper appreciation for the work that goes into maintaining riding areas and sustaining access for future generations.
The event also highlighted something equally important: trail work can be a powerful family activity. It gives parents and kids a chance to spend meaningful time together outdoors while contributing to a larger community effort.
Most riders experience trails as finished products. Days like this help show the next generation that trails exist because people care enough to build and maintain them.
And sometimes, that journey starts with a shovel, a berm, and an argument over purple tools.