Volunteering is described as, “an altruistic activity and is intended to promote goodness or improve human quality of life.” I think I’ll have to agree with this statement. (Altruistic is a fancy word for unselfishly concerned for).

Volunteer and make a difference!

Virginia State Parks have literally 1,000s of volunteers across Virginia having gone above and beyond to “unselfishly” have concern for Virginia State Parks. I’m sure they want to promote their human quality of life too, but then they could volunteer anywhere and not just at a Virginia State Park.

So, what makes Virginia State Parks so appealing? The fresh air, the natural surroundings, the escape from civilization - all of the above!

Work on trails even the Civilian Conservation Corps built.

During college there is this known, and often looked forward to, thing called spring break. Most students travel home to their families or go on vacation with other students, but the new trend over the past few years has been growing – volunteer.

Why volunteer?

Douthat State Park has four different colleges and/or universities traveling to volunteer and work at the park for a whole week – their spring break week! Think about it. All you have to pay for is travel expenses and you get to visit a state park for free. Now granted there is hard work involved, but like Wikipedia says it will “promote goodness or improve the human quality of life.” If it’s on the internet it has to be true, right.

I think volunteering is amazing and those that do it have a special place in Virginia State Parks.

Work with friends or meet new ones!

First up was Christopher Newport University with 10 students traveling to Douthat State Park. This group was fortunate (or unfortunate if you’re not a fan) to see the park under snowfall on Monday and Tuesday during their stay from March 1-8.

The big week at the park was March 8-15. Two groups traveled to Douthat State Park: Ohio State and Illinois State. Illinois State brought 45 students in a charter bus with them!

The last group – University of Wisconsin-Stout is staying this week, March 15-22, at Douthat State Park.

Most of the spring break groups signed up through the American Hiking Society. What a great partnership! The students were able to work on trails in the park (after all Douthat has over 40 miles of trails). They were also very receptive to work wherever the park needed them: cleaning cabins, painting facilities or getting campgrounds ready to open.

Roll up your sleeves for some hard work - but it's worth it!

Douthat’s not the only state park to have spring break groups volunteering at a Virginia State Park. If you are interested in volunteering you should contact a Virginia State Park, sign up online or contact Gaston Rouse who works with all volunteers statewide for Virginia State Parks.

For general park information on Douthat State Park click here, contact the park office at 540-862-8100 or e-mail Douthat State Park.  Douthat is located at 14239 Douthat State Park Road, Millboro, Va. 24460. 

For more information about Virginia State Parks’ activities and amenities or to make reservations in one of the more than 1,800 campsites or 300 climate-controlled cabins, call the Virginia State Parks' Customer Service Center at 800-933-7275 or click here.