SESSION DATES: April 13-18, April 20-25, April 27 – May 2, and May 4-9
CAPACITY PER SESSION: 6 Volunteers (No Kitchen Helper)
PROJECT SUPERVISOR: Aric Smejkal!
SITE INFORMATION:
Sherando Lake Recreation Area, located in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, boasts a history dating back to the early 20th century. Initially home to Indigenous peoples, the area experienced a surge of European settlement in the 18th century. By the 1930s, it underwent significant changes with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, aiming to provide employment while conserving natural resources. This period saw the construction of Sherando Lake and its recreational facilities, establishing a foundation for public outdoor activities. Read more about the site here.
Please plan to arrive at the campsite no earlier than 5pm and no later than 7pm on the first day of your session.
LOCATION: Located roughly an hour North of Lynchburg, VA
Tents, truck-campers, campervans, and a few trailers or RVs up to 25 feet will have access to our campground. Hookups are not available but showers will be! Dogs are welcome at this project but must be leashed at all times.
WEATHER: Anticipate highs in the 70s and lows in the 40s. Weather conditions may be rainy, cloudy, or sunny. Volunteers are responsible for checking weather conditions before their session begins, and packing appropriately.
ABOUT VOLUNTEERING: HistoriCorps projects are free for volunteers! HistoriCorps will provide all meals, tools, training, equipment, and a campsite. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation to the campsite, sleeping equipment, work gloves, clothes and boots, and other personal gear.
SCOPE OF WORK:
HistoriCorps is committed to educating and training volunteers in preservation skills, with an overarching mission of inspiring a preservation ethic in all those involved. Learning and working alongside expert HistoriCorps field staff and other volunteers while applying the traditional skills necessary to restore the Sherando Lake Recreation Area Kitchen Pavilion, you will assist to:
Please note: Tasks vary by day and by week, depending on a variety of factors including: weather, project priorities, previous groups’ work, and more. Though it is likely you will get to learn and practice most or all of the above tasks, it is not guaranteed. The higher percentage of the scope a particular task is, the more likely you will get to practice it.