Our Mission
The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) protects and maintains a vast network of connected trails, cabins, and wild spaces stretching from Pennsylvania to Northern Virginia. Through hands-on volunteerism, education, and advocacy, we ensure the outdoors remains accessible, sustainable, and deeply enriching for all.
Our Vision
We envision a future where PATC stands as a leader in trail stewardship—a center of excellence for trail maintenance and outdoor access. A future where anyone, regardless of background, can experience the joy of nature: hiking a well-kept trail, learning new skills, bonding with family in a historic cabin, or giving back as a volunteer.
We believe the outdoors is more than a destination—it’s where people reconnect with themselves, with each other, and with nature. Through this work, we’re not just protecting trails. We’re preserving opportunities to pause, explore, and truly belong in nature.
We have an unbroken chain of selfless volunteers spanning nearly 100 years. It is a tradition worth keeping alive.
Our Values
PATC values the lands and trails we recreate on and is committed to maintaining and preserving them for future generations.
PATC values accessibility in the outdoors and is committed to providing resources and opportunities to get outside for the public.
PATC values the hard work it takes to maintain and preserve trails, lands, cabins, and shelters, and is incredibly grateful to the dedicated volunteers that make our mission possible.
PATC values Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, within the organization and in the outdoors community, and is committed to furthering DEI initiatives by providing education and resources for staff, volunteers, and the public.