By Lee Juillerat for Ashland.news
With ongoing budget cuts and uncertainty about funding, the always active Friends of Crater Lake are reaching out to encourage more public participation in a series of upcoming events.
Volunteers are sought for a variety of happenings, including a naturalization ceremony, project weekend, Ride the Rim, and the group’s annual meeting.
Naturalization ceremony
First up is a naturalization ceremony on August 14, which Crater Lake National Park will again host for newly recognized U.S. citizens. Friends volunteers typically help with parking, answering questions and passing out refreshments for the event held at the Watchman Overlook.
To receive more information and/or to sign up, contact Karen Walters at [email protected].
Project weekend
Scheduled for Aug. 15 to 17 is the annual Project Weekend, when Friends volunteers help the park with projects such as painting, trail improvements, and native plant seed collection.
Camping spots for RVs and tents will be provided in Mazama Campground, along with dinner Friday and Saturday evenings. For more information and to sign up, contact Ann McCaughan at [email protected].
Ride the Rim
Volunteers are also needed for the annual Ride the Rim, when 25 miles of East Rim Drive, from its junction with the North Entrance Road to park headquarters, is closed to motorized vehicles from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on two Saturdays, September 6 and 13. The event is challenging because of some significant elevation gains.
During Ride the Rim, Friends volunteers staff aid stations to support cyclists and other event participants. They also help with parking, which requires attending a training on August 17, following Project Weekend.
According to the Ride the Rim website, “Volunteer support is critical this year to ensure Ride the Rim can occur. If there are not enough volunteers, it is likely the event will be cancelled.”
Free dry camping will be available for volunteers at the Lost Creek Campground. Volunteers can sign up directly through Discover Klamath at https://ridetherimoregon.com/info/volunteer/.
For information about volunteering, contact Maradee and Barry Girt at [email protected], After signing up, let them know what days you can volunteer and your desired assignment.
Friends’ annual meeting
The Friends’ annual meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 27, at the Community House in Rim Village.
The meeting provides an opportunity for participants to “connect with one another in person and learn about what has happened at the park during the past year.”
In addition, participants will elect new board members (there are three openings.) People interested in joining the board are asked to submit an application – with a statement of interest and a short bio – to Karen Walters. at [email protected] by September 15.
For more information on the Friends of Crater Lake National Park, visit their website at www.friendsofcraterlake.org. The nonprofit volunteer was formed in 1994 and partners with park staff for such projects as trail maintenance, native plant care, festival, and visitor guidance. They also serve as docents for snowshoe tours, winter rim desk interpretation, and Ride the Rim.
Email freelance writer Lee Juillerat at [email protected].
