USDA Forest Service
Daniel Boone
National Forest
1700 Bypass Road
Winchester, KY 40391

Phone: 859-745-3100
FAX: 859-744-1568

Volunteering for the Forest Service

Volunteering for the Forest Service is a fun and rewarding way to learn new skills and experience the out-of-doors. It is also a great opportunity for you to help the Agency meet its mission of "Caring for the Land and Serving People" by bringing your knowledge, experience and abilities to enhance recreation and resource management programs.

You can also go to http://www.volunteer.gov/gov/ to find more volunteer listings.

 
Cumberland Ranger District Volunteer Opportunities

EXCITING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES!
Volunteer in one of the most scenic areas of Kentucky – the Daniel Boone National Forest! The Forest Service is looking for volunteers with a variety of skills and interests. We also offer training for new skills related to our programs. Contact Eric Dodd if you are interested in volunteering on the Cumberland Ranger District. (606) 663-8100 x101 or edodd@fs.fed.us.

In exchange for service, volunteers may receive lodging and mileage reimbursement. Free lodging requires minimum time commitments from volunteers. Contact the Volunteer Coordinator for details.

- A free campsite with water, electric, and sewer hookup available at:
Twin Knobs or Zilpo campgrounds for Morehead and Zilpo positions (bathhouse available).
Gladie Center (shower in building). Click here for more information and pictures of the Gladie Center campsite.
Koomer Ridge Campground (no sewer hookup, bathhouse available with toilets and showers).

- A free one-bedroom apartment (Gladie Center only) with washer/dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator/freezer, stove/oven, and bathroom with shower. Click here for more information and pictures of the Gladie Center apartment.

- A free pass for backcountry camping in the Red River Gorge.

We are seeking volunteers for several visitor centers and campgrounds:
 
Morehead Visitors Center (Morehead, KY) – Join the team at the Visitor Center in the District Office! We need your help to staff the center from Memorial Day to Labor Day. We are looking for upbeat, friendly people interested in talking to and helping visitors to the area. We need one volunteer or one couple to arrive in early May and volunteer until early September.
 
Zilpo Campground (Morehead, KY) – Spend your summer outdoors leading activities for kids of all ages! We are looking for motivated volunteers to provide educational activities for our campground visitors. Training and guidance are available from our seasoned campground program coordinators. We need one volunteer or one couple to arrive in early May and volunteer until early September. This volunteer position includes a campsite either at Twin Knobs Campground (requiring volunteers to drive to Zilpo Campground at least once each week) or at Zilpo Campground (requiring volunteers to drive to the Morehead Office at least once each week).
 
Gladie Cultural-Environmental Learning Center (Frenchburg, KY) – Join the team at the Gladie Center to share the many recreation opportunities available in the Red River Gorge with thousands of visitors. Recognized as a leading area for hiking, rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and hunting, the Red River Gorge is a unique, scenic area near Frenchburg, KY. We are looking for volunteers to help us staff the Gladie Center – the main interpretation and education center on the Daniel Boone National Forest.

We need upbeat, friendly people interested in staffing the front desk, greeting visitors, and providing excellent customer service for our visitors. Opportunities are available to help with special events, education programs, and other projects based on volunteer interests and skills. Volunteers should be prepared to commit to at least two months of time (if staying in the apartment or on-site campsite) or to a regular schedule over several months (for example, every other weekend for several months).
 
Koomer Ridge Campground (Slade, KY) – Work closely with Forest Service staff to present campground programs and activities at the only Forest Service campground in the Red River Gorge. We are looking for a motivated individual or couple to work with us to present campground programs every Saturday evening from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Programs vary from purely educational to entertainment. This is an exciting opportunity to spend your summer interacting with many wonderful campers and promoting safe, sustainable use of our natural resources.

2012 Backcountry Ranger Volunteers
The Red River Gorge has volunteer backcountry rangers that perform a wide range of duties. Most volunteer interns work for 10-14 week periods during the main recreation season which is from March-November. Backcountry Rangers rehabilitate backcountry campsites, close off illegal paths and campsites, patrol the backcountry trails, meet and talk with visitors, provide information on low-impact recreation use, record visitor use, monitor archaeological sites and help maintain the trails & trailhead facilities. We are looking for people that can hike long distances in a variety of weather conditions, are outgoing and willing to talk with visitors, and can work weekends and some evenings.

Please click here for a flyer with additional information. Contact Red River Gorge Manger Tim Eling with questions: teling@fs.fed.us.

2012 Archaeological Artifact Volunteer
Volunteer at the Gladie Center cataloging archaeological artifacts. Please click here for more information. Contact Red River Gorge Archaeologist Kay Shelnutt with questions: kshelnutt@fs.fed.us.

TRAIL WORK VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY!

Red River Gorge Trail Crew
This is a unique volunteer opportunity in the Red River Gorge (Frenchburg, KY). The Trail Crew meets once each month, usually the second Saturday of the month. The Trail Crew works to maintain the official Forest Service trails in the Gorge, builds bridges, blazes trails, and generally has a great time outdoors.

For more information: http://rrgtc.com/ or Charlie Rowe (606) 663-0576, Ext. 106.

If you are interested in volunteering, check out the opportunities at your local National Forest office. After reviewing the projects available, decide which ones suit your interests and needs. As a volunteer, you determine when and where you'll work and the type of jobs you'll perform.

Next, call the contact person responsible for coordinating the project or work for which you are interested in volunteering.

The names of contacts are available from any Forest Service personnel office. Don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions about specific project information. Let the contact know when you are available to volunteer and about any health problems or other considerations he or she should know prior to work.

Once you've agreed to the specific terms for volunteering, your contact will send a volunteer agreement form to you for your signature.

That's all it takes! You will be expected to uphold your end of the agreement and arrive on time and prepared for the work you've agreed to perform. You can expect your experience to be challenging, rewarding and fun if you put forth the effort.

You may also visit the USDA Forest Service Volunteer Opportunities page for more information on volunteer opportunities.

Questions? Contact us.

Title: Volunteer
Last Updated: January 26, 2012