There are endless projects that could use your help. The next time you’re in town, let us know if you’re interested and we’ll gratefully put you to work.
Ongoing Volunteer Needs:
MOVING ROCKS
If you see a rock on a trail, move it to the side of the trail to help us build a structured path. Be careful for what’s under that rock. If you see a rock on the lawn, add it to the border that already exists. This action helps the longevity of the lawn mower and makes it easier to walk along the grass. If you wish to move a big rock (50+ lbs) with a camp leader, a pair of working gloves will be provided.
WEEDING
Keeping up with weeding is a lifelong task and can be as simple as pulling out a piece of grass out of the garden bed. It is best to ask or hesitate if you are unaware of whether a piece of greenery should be pulled. Please don’t dispose of any weeds on the gravel driveway. A pair of working gloves can be provided, but tall socks and fully covered clothing is suggested if you intend to weed an unmaintained section.
PAINTING
To maintain Camp Norwood’s asthetic, we have chosen FIRED EARTH as the continuous color seen through out the property. There are plenty of fences and posts that could use some love. We always have the paint and brushes on hand. Please wear appropriate clothing to paint.
TRASH REMOVAL AND PICKUP
The basic rule is, if it doesn’t look like nature, it probably doesn’t belong there. This can include cigarette butts, animal feces, candy wrappers, ripped tarp pieces, diet coke cans, nails, glass, etc. We have seen it all and do our best to clean up after decades of misuse. There are multiple trash cans located around the property to dispose of your trash. Be careful when picking up sharp items or items that may be covered in ants or spiders. If you wish to pick up trash along the paved road, a safety vest and trash pickup tool are available for use.
CHOPPING WOOD
We own chippers, clippers and chaisaws of varying degrees. This volunteer activity is only available to those with prior experience and is at your own risk. Safety helmets, chaps and gloves are available. Those who help us chop wood will get a dinner out and a Camp Norwood T-shirt.
VOLUNTEER WITH YOUR TIME
Volunteering shows many forms. At Camp Norwood there is ALWAYS something to do. If you wish to plan 2 days of solid help, we could use it. Our next projects include building an outhouse, adding walls to the garden, updating the green house, emptying the mailbox barn and finishing the trail to The Point. Those who help us will get a full weekend of local meals, private use of HQ and a Camp Norwood T-shirt.
WATERING GARDEN BEDS
We collect water in rain barrels and it is amazing how much water we save by using our rain barrel water to water the plants. Simply dunk a water pitcher in the rain barrel and pour the water onto any plant located in a garden bed. While this task is easy around HQ, be aware of your strength when walking to the lower beds, including the walk back up. If you wish to bring home a clipping or dig up a bulb, ask a camp leader for assitance. Many of our garden beds are beyond capacity and we don’t mind sharing the wealth. If you have a bulb from your garden that you wish to plant, we would love to add the extra color.
FENCE BUILDING
Fence mending has been a long tradition since the beginning of claiming land. This project is only available to assist with during the colder months with less over growth. Should you wish to help, please plan specific dates as this work requires 2 full days. Be prepared to work. The work required includes cleanup, moving heavy fence materials from one location to another, fence attachment and planning, painting, tree removal, etc. Those who offer to help will get a dinner out and a Camp Norwood sweatshirt.
VOLUNTEER WITH YOUR MONEY
Some people don’t have the strenth, the time or the ability to assist in maintaining Camp Norwood, but still want to help. Please consider making a donation to @camp_norwood on Venmo. A $5 donation can buy a can of spray paint to mark trails, or a new pair of work gloves or burger after a hard days work. A $50 donation can be used for parts to maintain the landscaping gear, refill the gas for the tractor or purchase gallon of paint. A $500 donation can gravel the driveway or chop a dangerous tree. A $5000 donation can help fund the restoration of the historic log cabin.
TRAIL MAINTENANCE
The best way to maintain a trail is to hike it! The second best thing to do is to pick up anything that is blocking the trail. If you find a branch or a rock , you can simply place it along the side of the trail to create a perimeter. If you wish to grab a pair of clippers to assist in cutting back plants that are closing in on the trail, a pair will be shared along with a pair of gloves. Be careful for spiders and thorns.
LOG CABIN RESTORATION
The historic log cabin at Camp Norwood has survived over 200 years. We need help let it thrive for another 200 years. Any help in planning, restoration, funding, grants, etc. would be greatly appreciated. Of course there will be actual physical labor needed as well. Gutting the addition, making the roof sturdy, and repairing the front porch are first on the agenda. This project is bigger than all of us.
VOLUNTEER WITH YOUR EXPERTISE
You know more than we do about building restoration, or land management, or electrictal installation, or hunting, or preservataion, or non-profits, or farmer’s markets or any other areas of expertise that we could use your help with. Please share your knowledge so that we can enjoy and save this land for generations to come. Please also share your contacts if you know someone interested in helping as well.