A message from Diane Dealey Neill, Coordinator of the California Forestry Challenge:
The California Forestry Challenge is seeking volunteers for five events this fall:
Shasta – September 27 to 30, Mountain Meadows Camp near Shingletown
Sequoia – October 11 to 14, Quaker Meadow Camp east of Springville
El Dorado – October 25 to 28, Leoni Meadows Camp near Grizzly Flats
San Bernardino – November 8 to 11, Green Valley Lake Christian Camp in Green Valley Lake
Santa Cruz – November 15 to 18, Redwood Christian Park in Boulder Creek
Currently, there are 82 schools planning to bring between 600 and 700 students to these events, and the Shasta and El Dorado events are at capacity. Approximately 25 to 30 volunteers are needed to make each event happen.
The Forestry Challenge is an academic competition for high school students in technical forestry and current forestry topics. Participants spend four days in the forest learning about the ecology and management of the forested landscapes that provide communities with water, recreational opportunities, and wood products. The goals of the Forestry Challenge are:
Goal #1: Teach students the basic principles of forestry, connecting classroom math and science to hands-on experiences with real-world applications, enabling them to make recommendations about natural resource management.
Goal #2: Give students the opportunity to explore careers by interacting with natural resource professionals including foresters, hydrologists, soil scientists, wildlife biologists, and fire scientists.
Goal #3: Provide an opportunity for a diverse student population to experience outdoor recreation and develop an appreciation for the forest and its benefits to all.
If you are able to spend as little as a few hours or as much as a few days, please visit the website and follow the link to the volunteer sign up form at the top of the home page. You can be reimbursed for mileage at the volunteer rate of 14 cents per mile, and meals and housing are provided. Volunteers also receive a fabulous event t-shirt! You are welcome to volunteer for any “job” that is best for your schedule and interest. A list of jobs, including the duties and hours for each, is linked on the volunteer form.
Thanks,
Diane Dealey Neill