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April 25 thru May 1, 2001 Welcome to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation Volunteer Crew! We are looking forward to sharing a challenging experience with you this spring. Despite the possible discomforts of aching muscles, blisters, wet clothes, insect bites, poison ivy and lack of privacy; you will be rewarded by the excitement of working in and on one of the most beautiful areas of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the camaraderie of fellow volunteers, and the satisfaction of learning and performing high quality trail work on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Host Information: The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. For more information about the Foundation you can call the office at (336) 721-0260. The web address for the Volunteer Vacations project is http://www.brpfoundation.org/doughton.htm 
Project Information: General Information This year’s Volunteer Vacation project sponsored by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation will involve crew work on the Basin Creek drainage area of Doughton Park. Duties will include general trail repair, water bar repair and placement, and stream crossing rockwork. There will be a minimum of 6 volunteers and a maximum of 12 for the one week project. The beginning date will be April 25th, 2001 and the week will end on May 1st, 2001. The work level for this project is moderate. This vacation project begins and ends mid week. This will allow the opportunity over the weekend for people to volunteer from the local community. The Doughton Park is located in the middle of the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway and will provide a fabulous trail working environment for all of our volunteers. The Blue Ridge Parkway is the most visited unit of the National Park System with 20,000,000 visitors a year. When the Parkway was designed in the mid-thirties, the design concepts were based upon the artistic themes of American Realism prevalent in the 19th century. The Parkway itself is a totally conceived environment, literally moving the visitor “through the painting”. The Blue Ridge Parkway was one of the first nationally designated “American Scenic Highways” and was designed much like pearls on a necklace such that there was provided “parks within parks”. One such area is Doughton Park, composed of nearly 6000 acres of wilderness and backcountry preserve. The prevalent watershed area is Basin Creek with a network of trails, and stream crossings including the historic Caudill Cabin. A trail map of the Doughton Park has been provided here. The weather at this time of year (April/May) is usually cool and could be rainy with spring conditions. Spring flowers are spectacular! 
Transportation Transportation will be provided to and from the Greensboro/Winston-Salem/High Point Regional Airport located in Greensboro, North Carolina. Volunteers will be picked up on April 25th 2001 at a time that is negotiable. Meeting site at the airport will be at the baggage claim area. Return to the airport will take place at noon on May 1st, 2001. If you will be driving the meeting day is the same (April 25) and directions will be provided by request. The meeting place for drivers is at the Highlands District Ranger Station in Laurel Springs, North Carolina. A time will be specified in the future. Transportation during the week will be provided as well as gear transportation to the campsite. Base Camp Information The base camp will consist of a primitive tent site and a cook tent both of which will be provided. A water filtration unit is not required with fresh water being available on site. The crew will not have to move during the week but there are many day packing opportunities. There will be an elevation gain/loss of 1,500 feet. Full supervision over the trail work is provided by the host along with all of the tools for trail work, safety equipment, first aid, group cooking gear, stoves, coolers, and transportation of tools and gear to base camp. Food as well as meals will be provided throughout the week, however, crew members will be expected to help set up and clean up for meals. There will be a latrine set up by the National Park Service for the week and shower facilities will be accessible within an hour of base camp at the Stone Mountain Sate Park. Ample wood supply will be available for evening campfires. It is anticipated that special activities will take place each night in the form of organized programs determined by the volunteers, crew leader, and park management. Are there any rules? There are some basic rules at base camp. Our goal is to make crew life as carefree as possible without risking imposition on other crew members or placing the program in jeopardy.
What about Alcohol? Alcohol has become a touchy issue, and therefore please refer to the following guidelines with regard to alcohol use and the Volunteer crews: Alcohol Policy: This policy outlines BRPF’s guidelines regarding consumption of alcohol by members of Conference sponsored crews. The consumption of alcohol by responsible adults is neither prohibited nor promoted by BRPF. However, it is the responsibility of the Foundation to ensure the safety of the volunteers and the smooth operation of programs under its supervision. BRPF has prepared the following guidelines to ensure that we achieve this goal. These guidelines are not set to admonish individuals who drink, or to prohibit the consumption of alcohol. Nor do we intend to prevent volunteers from enjoying their weekends. BRPF seeks to guarantee crew-member safety, prevent injury or discomfort arising from disruptive behavior, and to serve as reminders to all to be considerate and responsible. Crew members have responsibilities to themselves, to each other and to the program’s sponsors including the BRPF, the American Hiking Society, and the National Park Service. The image we convey to individuals in the program, to club members as well as to our surrounding local, regional and national communities is critical to our future success as a Foundation program.
We appreciated your cooperation in adhering to these guidelines. 
Should you be concerned about safety? Yes safety is a very serious topic. While building trail, we employ all sorts of blunt and sharp instruments and we apply them with fore. They can be dangerous and with improper use there is the chance of serious accidents. That sort of activity can be stressful to your body’s musculature. We must avoid injuries! The best way is to use your head – listen to your crew leader, be aware of your fellow crew members. Don’t try to compete with yourself or anyone else. Don’t horse around with tools. Be particularly careful at the end of the day, when most injuries occur. Safety is covered extensively at the mandatory Thursday night meeting; please pay attention there and in the field! Ask questions! It’s important for you to be aware that as volunteers for the National Park Service, you are covered by Worker’s Compensation. That means if you sustain a work-related injury requiring medical attention, the government will pay for it. You will not be covered if your injury is the result of lack of compliance with safety procedures, or if the proper safety equipment was not used, or if you fail to report an injury immediately. The coverage also does not cover injuries you might sustain on days off during a recreational opportunity. This also means when the government gets involved, the paperwork is unbelievable. We handle that, but the claims often take quite a while to process. Crew member may receive nasty payments notices from hospitals in the meanwhile, which is understandably unsettling. However, crew members are never left holding the bag. We’re telling you this honestly in case you may want to use your own hospitalization insurance in case of an injury. We also need for you to come prepared for any situation, namely, get a tetanus shot if you’re overdue, a shot for poison ivy if you’re allergic, bring your own bee kit if stings cause reactions, etc. We also want to tell you that insurance covers job-related injuries such as cuts, abrasions, broken bones, internal injure, muscle or ligament damage – not intestinal problems from bad water. Poison ivy and mysterious bug bites are covered, but you must report them as soon as your reaction occurs. Speaking of bug bites, there’s lots of attention given these days to ticks and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme’s Disease. It’s important to be vigilant and to be informed about these maladies. We’ve never had an instance of either of these diseases on crew, by the way. If the situation involving insurance is a problem to you, let us know before you arrive in camp. We don’t want to get hung up on that issue, but we do have to face reality. While you work with the crew, the Crew Leaders and Camp Coordinator should be a source of information, education, assistance and advice, and they have the final word on any matter concerning crew life, safety and work. In the field it is important that the crew works as a team. You will sometimes be faced with less that perfect living conditions with a group of people who may not always share your views, lifestyle, experience or background. While such a situation can lead to abrasions, it can also lead to personal growth. Crew members must all pitch in to help one another. If you encounter insurmountable problems, talk them over with your crew leader. Do not let a bad situation sit and fester. While you are on the crew, you are a representative of the National Park Service, the American Hiking Society, and Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. We expect both your work and your behavior to be a credit to all three organizations. This doesn’t preclude fun or pride in what you do and who you are. But you must be careful not only to avoid improper actions but also to think about the appearance of impropriety. While our crew programs have earned a good reputation, they can also be discontinued on the basis of the actions of a few crew members. Discontinuation of the program would mean the loss of an important program for managing the park trails. It would result in the loss of the opportunity for hundreds of future crew members to make a contribution. 
The following lists give suggestions as to what you should bring. You may note that there is an emphasis on the use of woolen or pile clothing and rain gear. Through the years of experience in the mountains we have found that his is the best protection against cold and dampness. While the days are usually hot, spring night temperatures in the mountains can fall into the thirties (or even the twenties!) with high winds. When choosing clothing to bring, bear in mind the nature of the work—don’t bring your best wool sweater for the woods! ESSENTIAL ITEMS: The following is a list of items you will have to provide for yourself. In the event you will have to purchase some of these, we have included some specific information that will enable you to keep down the cost, while still obtaining quality items. Boots: Sturdy quality boots are essential. Full grain leather work boots are recommended, lightweight hiking boots are not. The trail can be rocky, and you will be using sharp object in the vicinity of your precious toes. Your boots will be the most important equipment you own. Be sure they are well broken in before you come!! Rain Gear: Heavy-duty coating! Sewn seams (not glued), sealed with tape recommended. We also recommend both a hooded jacket and pants or chaps. 100% waterproof rain gear is best. Polyurethane coated nylon is a good choice for low cost, lightweight and durability. Gore-tex Fabrics are expensive, less effective and not recommended. LL Bean and Campmoor sell heavy-duty, inexpensive, coated nylon rainwear. Work Clothes: Long sleeve work shirts are recommended. Long sleeve clothes can protect you from bugs, rocks, brush, and tools. Long pants are required when working. Lightweight clothes from Dickeys or Sears work well. Denim and cotton are not recommended since cotton is slow to dry. (Poly-pro fabric also works well!) You may want to bring several cotton or Coolmax T-shirts for days when it gets hot. Socks: 3 pair minimum, three sets if you wear 2 pair. We recommend a thin sock next to your foot (polypropylene or wool), and one heavy wool sock next to your boot. (Cotton socks are O.K. but they do not dry fast or hold in any heat!) Knit Wool Or Pile Ski Hat: The most important warm item (a baseball cap may be useful for warm weather). 1 Lightweight Polypropylene Thermal Undershirt 1 Lightweight Polypropylene Thermal Bottoms: These thin synthetic shirts and bottoms will help you keep warm on cold rainy days in April and May. They are also comfortable around camp in the evening. 2 Pile/Wool Shirts/Sweaters/Jacket: Cotton flannel will not keep you warm once wet. We recommend at least two layers of wool or pile. Pile, wool, and polypropylene are the only fabrics that will keep you warm when wet. To save weight you can use your raincoat as a windshell, too; and it does rain a lot! Clothes For When You Are Not Working: For days off and after work each day. You will like to change out of wet/dirty clothes after a day on the trail. Sandals or sneakers are a good idea so you can change out of your boots and reduce the impact to your field camping site. Flashlight or Head Lamp: Suitable for night movement! Guide to Wildflowers Camp Chair Pocket Knife: The weapon of your choice! Wash Gear: Toothbrush, Dr. Bronners soap, towel, etc. Gloves: Lightweight polypro gloves come in handy (no pun intended) to keep your hands warm. More Items To Bring: The following is a list of personal items you will need to have for your comfort. If you do not have them, you may want to buy them or at least check with friends and family to see if you can borrow them. Sleeping Bag: Lightweight, good for 20F low temperatures. Also a small pillow and sheet are recommended for base camp sleeping comfort. Note: Night time temperatures are usually in the 40’s or 30’s but may get colder! Backpack: Good quality external frame backpacks are still the best packs for carrying a full complement of camping equipment plus a set of trail tools (if you have an internal frame pack you are comfortable with, it will probably be fine. If you have questions, give the BRPF staff a call). However, most of our tools will be carried in by pack train (horse)! A backpack is helpful, if you have one, but not necessary. You could also use large industrial/army style duffel bags, but the hike in would be much better with a pack. Daypack: Bigger, to the tune of 1500-2000 cu. In. capacity. Field items like rain gear, lunch, and a gallon of water, warm clothes, work gloves, hard hats, shinguards, and tools will be carried daily, so it is helpful to have something which will fit everything. Backpacker Foam Pad: Recommended closed cell foam. Lightweight Waterproof Tent: Tents are a source of refuge when you are in the field. You can bring your own and/or plan to share a tent with other members of your party. Make sure you bring a good rain fly because spring showers are certainly possible and you don’t want to get caught in a wet tent. Water Bottles: Water is the most important item you will have in your daypack. We suggest a minimum of four quarts of water each day. We Supply food, work gloves, tools, cooking utensils, lanterns, stoves, first aid supplies, transportation during the week, and other gear as needed. 
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