Pre-Session

Each May, volunteers generously help Haystack staff prepare the campus for the coming season. Volunteers stay on the stunning Haystack campus and enjoy the incredible food served up by our Kitchen team, all in exchange for their loving labor. Jobs range from hauling wood, painting, replacing decking, and grooming the grounds to organizing and cleaning studios, helping out in the office or library, and so much more! Volunteer time can range from several hours to several days. Did we mention there are commemorative T-shirts?

Pre-Session is a long-running tradition at Haystack, and we love that so many people—both new and returning—are so interested in participating!

All individuals interested in attending Pre-Session need to complete an application in StarRez, Haystack’s new application portal. Please note that space in this program is limited, and it is very popular, so we may not be able to accept all interested applicants.

IMPORTANT DATES

Week One: May 11–14, 2026

Arrival: Monday, May 11 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Departure: Thursday, May 14 by 10:00 AM

Week Two: May 18–21, 2026

Arrival: Monday, May 18 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Departure: Thursday, May 21 by 10:00 AM

HOW TO APPLY

Application Deadline: March 13, 2026
Notification to Applicants: March 27, 2026

All applications for Pre-Session are submitted through StarRez, Haystack’s new application portal. For information on how to use the new system, please see the Frequently Asked Questions page.

Click Here to Apply to 2026 Pre-Session