by Julie Dodd
Now is a great time to give back to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and to be a part of contributing to the great hiking the park provides.
Volunteer for a workday with the National Park Service crew that is restoring the Chimney Tops Trail, as part of Smokies Trails Forever. The remaining days to volunteer are Wednesday Oct. 2, 9 and 16.
I asked Christine Hoyer, Parkwide Volunteer Coordinator for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, to tell us what’s involved in volunteering.
Q: What are the requirements to be a trail volunteer?
A: Minimum age for volunteer on this project is 18 years old – no previous training required, just an interest to work and learn – close-toed hiking boots and long pants required – all equipment (safety and project tools) will be provided by the National Park Service (NPS) crew.
The worksite is approximately 1.5 miles up the trail. Time required is roughly one 10-hour day. Volunteers must sign up for a workday ahead of time and fill out and return the necessary volunteer agreement prior to their workday.
Q: What kind of work do volunteers do?
A: They could be doing any number of tasks depending on the projects in progress – better not to be specific here so – anything from finding rock, breaking rock, moving rock, digging in the dirt to improve the trail surface or set in rock or locust steps… and the list goes on.
Q: How many volunteers are needed for each workday?
A: Maximum per Wednesday workday is five volunteers.
Q: The workdays are Wednesdays. What is the timeframe for the day?
A: Time required is roughly one 10-hour day. Arrival at the trailhead at 8 a.m. to meet the crew. Return to the trailhead around 4:30 p.m. Further details about meeting location and time is provided once a volunteers officially signed up.
Q: How far in advance should volunteers contact you?
A: As far in advance as possible — to provide for time to sign them up, provide further information and complete the necessary paperwork (sign and return VIP agreement prior to their workday). I provide the crew with information for the weeks volunteers on the Monday before each workday so it is essential that prospective volunteers contact me at least one week prior to their intended volunteer day.
Q: How can people sign up to volunteer?
A: Contact me — christine_hoyer@nps.gov or 865-436-1265.
Q: What are the benefits of using volunteers in helping with trail restoration?
A: The park benefits from great partner organizations like the Friends of the Smokies and the Great Smoky Mountains Association… the other “partnership” is with our park volunteers who give of their time, energy and talent for the good of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The volunteer opportunities provide ways for volunteers to meet the needs of the park. With Trails Forever, volunteers allow for more work to get done on the trail. The volunteer workdays are designed to assist and leverage the work of the skilled National Park Service crew. Trail volunteers are able to see tangible results from their efforts, which enhances their connection to the park.
Q: What are the benefits to the volunteers for helping?
A: Give back to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Enjoy working with a great crew of NPS staff. Learn a new skill or something new about building trail in a National Park. Creating something that is sustainable and will be around for years to come. Enhancing the visitors experience and protecting the parks extraordinary resources.
Q: What else should someone who is interested in volunteering with the trail crew know?
A: We work rain or shine. All other details will be provided once they are signed up to work with the crew.