This July 11 to July 15, 2016, Pocahontas State Park will be hosting a week of volunteer projects geared towards teenagers. The second annual Teen Volunteer Week may include projects like trail corridor trimming, landscape management, painting, trail work, or just about anything the park needs done.

Many of the projects will require the use of hand tools, or possibly learning a new skill, and will be supervised by adult staff and volunteers. The schedule will be 9:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. each day, Monday through Friday.

Teen volunteers will enjoy helping at the park's Nature Center

Students may sign up for any or all of the week, but must have parents sign the permission waiver on the volunteer account that they create. In return, students will receive a letter from the park noting their participation in the volunteer activities, as well as new skills, possibly new friends, and the satisfaction of working hard outdoors. Other volunteer benefits may be accrued, including a parking pass and pool visit.

These young volunteers completed various volunteer projects throughout the park like
trimming several miles of trails

Last year’s young volunteers completed trimming several miles of trail, cleaning, organizing, and painting a newly renovated nature center, and extensive clearing work preparing for a large event. 

This year’s program’s new addition will be the option of a recreational park activity from 2:00p.m. to 4:00p.m. each day following the project work. These “adventure” activities will include canoeing, archery, and a campfire.

It's not all hard work without any play; there's recreational activities like canoeing and archery each afternoon

To sign up, participants must create a volunteer account by clicking here, and choose Teen Volunteer Week as the opportunity. The volunteer coordinator will then be in contact about project details and drop-off locations.

Pocahontas State Park is located in Chesterfield County, about 20 miles from Richmond. It's easily accessible from Interstate 95, Route 288 and Route 360. Click here for directions.