Reporting volunteer hours is very important to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Since the AT is entirely maintained by volunteer hiking clubs, club members volunteer thousands of hours every year maintaining the trail, administering club activities and leading hikes for members and guests. ATC calculates the dollar value of volunteer hours and uses the value as matching funds for grants that support both ATC and the maintaining clubs. So please report all of the hours you volunteer each year on trail maintenance, NBATC administration and preparing for and leading hikes. The reporting year is from October 1st to September 30th each year. Thanks for your service and for reporting hours!