From Gary Monk, GATC president in our April 2009 newsletter ...
GATC is composed of folks from every background, and almost every segment of society. We have members that are actively pursuing careers and we have retired folks. We have some who have been club members fifty years and others just starting their journeys as teenagers. We have doctors, lawyers, educators, business people, engineers, painters, builders and even a pilot or two.
We maintain the trails, we hike, we backpack, we try to preserve the wilderness of our Georgia forests and we educate others about our forests. Every GATC member has done some trail work. Every member has been on a hike.
I think this is the foundation of GATC. I believe we give of our time because we all share a deep love of the outdoors and we want others to have that same feeling as we do when we top the hill going into Dahlonega and first see the mountains in the distance. It never ceases to inspire and humble me a little. ... It is hard to describe to others. But we are not alone in this commitment. Last year 6,320 volunteers in ATC maintaining clubs produced over 202,000 hours of labor on behalf of the Appalachian Trail. Possibly due to the current situation, there is an increase in interest in the out-of-doors and volunteerism. Is that feeling we share contagious? I hope so.
For more information, check out how to Join the GATC, our History, our Board of Directors, GATC's Bylaws, information about the Len Foote Hike Inn, or Contact Us.
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