Eleven midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy's Midshipmen Action Group (MAG) traveled to Mount Laguna, California, to repair part of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), during their spring break, March 14-22.

The midshipmen, along with volunteers from the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), provided the much needed maintenance at an elevation of about 6,000 feet.

"When I was looking through possible volunteer opportunities for spring break, I was surprised to see the Appalachian Mountain Club had a volunteer trip out in California," said Midshipmen 2nd Class Aly Eng, MAG Pacific Crest Trail volunteer coordinator and team leader. "There were not many outdoor opportunities on the East Coast, so I decided to go west towards sunny San Diego."

Midshipmen worked six to seven hours a day digging holes, moving large rocks, building water bars and check steps, and clearing the tread way of the PCT for dedicated hiker and outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy.

"The work we did will certainly leave a lasting impression," said Eng. "We also met a few PCT thru-hiker on their way north from Mexico to Canada. All the hikers expressed their thanks for the trail work we were doing, and we have a new found appreciation for all the volunteers who maintain the trails we love to explore."

Midshipmen came together as a team and got the job done. In the end, all of the hard work and effort strengthened their team bond.

"You can learn a lot about people when you have to work together like this," said Midshipmen 3rd Class Danielle Givens, MAG member. "It's not easy rolling a rock downhill and fitting it into a hole in the ground. I feel it is safe to say that we didn't know each other very well coming in, but I feel like we have all gotten close this past week getting to know everybody."

The midshipmen were led by Beth Gula, AMC volunteer program supervisor and Paula Hudson, AMC volunteer program crew leader.

"Working with the midshipmen was great," said Gula. "The midshipmen listen to directions, jumped into the trail work with excitement and surprisingly enough wanted to keep going and finish projects they had started even though it was the end of the day. I hope to work with them again in the future."

"The work was pretty difficult, but it is really rewarding to know that hikers will be crossing the water bars and check steps we built for years to come," said Eng. "Through a lot of teamwork and water breaks, we literally moved mountains over spring break."

Donations from the USNA Foundation, Class of 1992, allowed the midshipmen to experience this unique opportunity.

"This generosity makes all MAG spring break projects a reality, thus creating great teambuilding experiences and community awareness that will serve our midshipmen well when they become leaders in the fleet," said USNA's community relations director, Miriam Stanicic.

The Midshipmen Action Group is dedicated to assisting members of the brigade in becoming active servants of the community by facilitating community relationships through organized service projects, and to recognize midshipmen accomplishments in community service as they occur throughout the brigade. They are dedicated to creating a positive and lasting impact on the lives of the citizens they serve.

For more news from U.S. Naval Academy, visit www.navy.mil/.