Shared by Meighan Wisswell, as Guest Blogger.

Interested in this unique opportunity to volunteer and make a difference at Pocahontas State Park?

There is an opportunity for 15 – 30  campers to join in a project to refurbish some of the CCC-built group cabins to preserve them for new generations at Pocahontas State Park.

Be part of something special when you volunteer for cabin work week at Pocahontas State Park

Dates are October 28 through November 10, 2019 and volunteers can sign up for one or both weeks of this 2019 Cabin Work Week event.  

In exchange for free camping during the project, the volunteers will work together to effect essential repairs to these structures, doing painting, light carpentry and roof repairs.

How the work began – Cabin Work Week 2018

It was hard to keep up with the work. With three primary worksites for the Cabin Work Week teams, re-visiting each site showed dramatic changes from the last trip. The three cabins that were the focus of the 2018 efforts sat in the Swift Creek Camp section of Pocahontas State Park. The Dining Hall, frequently used for weddings and other events, is ringed by 5 buildings that were in varying states of disrepair.

The Cabin Work Week teams were working on the 3 that were in worst shape.

Why were all of these volunteers working so hard?  

Volunteers will continue the repairs to the group cabin structures, doing painting, light carpentry and roof repairs

They were motivated to preserve the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), who had built these group cabin structures 80 years earlier. These group cabin areas are unique historical structures in the Virginia State Park system and were at risk of deteriorating beyond repair. The desire was not just to preserve them, but to put them back into service. But first, they needed to be stabilized. And the team that gathered to make this happen was one with lots of motivation, talent, and a sense of camaraderie.

Those first 3 buildings were transformed in just a week of work. One team carefully removed, repaired and reinstalled the many damaged windows and screens. Since these were all fabricated by hand years ago, no 2 were exactly alike and had to be carefully fitted back in place once repaired. In the midst of the work, they discovered an original copper screen that had been installed with copper nails. There was also a lot of siding that needed to be repaired or replaced. After one team made the repairs, another team began priming and painting. And then there were the roof repairs. All of the buildings needed some degree of roof work to keep the water out which had created the worst of the damage.  

Volunteers will work together to effect essential repairs to these structures

By week’s end, the initial objective was met. The three cabins were stabilized and protected from the weather, transforming their appearance as well. The work was hard, but rewarding. And there had been a lot of fun as well. Each evening, the group gathered to enjoy time together “off the clock”. There were hay rides, camp fires, dinners at local restaurants, and on the weekend, a hike and canoe trip.

For a more complete view of the week’s activities, check out the video above of the results.

We need your help - Cabin Work Week 2019

The success of the first Cabin Work Week generated a lot of enthusiasm to repeat the experience again in the fall of 2019. This year, the event has been expanded to two weeks – October 28 – November 3 and November 4 – 10. With the number of cabins at the park needed attention, there will be no shortage of work for the volunteers. And again, this year, the volunteers will receive free camping while working on the project. The volunteers will continue the repairs to the group cabin structures, doing painting, light carpentry and roof repairs.

After work sessions Volunteers can take advantage of park offerings

After work sessions, the participants will get a chance to relax and enjoy some of the park’s extensive offerings. There are miles of hiking trails and nationally recognized mountain-biking trails. There will also be an opportunity to learn more about the CCC at Pocahontas by touring the park’s CCC museum, housed in one of the original buildings. Other fun activities are being planned such as hay rides and campfires to balance the work time with leisure.

For those attending the first week, there will be flexibility to check-out Monday November 4, since Sunday, the 3rd is the day of our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Event with BBQ, fun programs and games for kids and adults alike. We would love you to be there for that.

If you would like to help, but can’t volunteer during the Cabin Work Week, there are other ways to contribute. The Friends of Pocahontas State Park coordinates work days at the cabins throughout the year. Also, tax-deductible contributions for this effort can be made through the Friends group to help to defray the cost of the materials that are needed to effect the repairs.  

More info and how to apply

Interested in this unique opportunity to volunteer and make a difference at Pocahontas State Park?

Working age minimum is 18 – we’re going to need volunteers who can use power tools. Ages 13 and up are welcome to help with an adult age 21 and older (just no power tool usage). Our jobs will include: re-roofing, replacing outside wood walls, pressure washing, replacing wooden flooring, painting and staining over each week’s 5 days of work. The range of projects on the selected buildings gives us a lot of flexibility in skill levels. We have 15 sites each week reserved for you in a loop of our new campground area.

Those interested in this unique opportunity should email the park's Volunteer Coordinator today to express interest or learn more, as space is limited. This is a chance to become another link in a chain that goes back 80 years. 

Deadline to apply is August 31, 2019.