The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Tuesday, January 01, 2019 03:01 PM
Smokies Service Days Set For July 1
Beginning June 9, volunteers can gather at the Elkmont campground from 9 a.m. to noon. Rangers need help cleaning out fire pits, picking up trash, removing leaf littler and performing a variety of other campground maintenance. After the cleanup, rangers will lead a 4.3 mile hike to Huskey Branch Falls and back; bring a bagged lunch for a picnic that's planned at the waterfall as well. Participants who want to go on this hike should be back to the Elkmont campground by 4 p.m.
The park will provide tools and safety gear such as gloves and high visibility safety vests. Volunteers must wear closed-toe shoes. Participants can contact Logan Bolden at 865-436-1278 to register and to find out if any other protective clothing is required.
Campground cleanups are planned for Smokemont in North Carolina on June 16; Deep Creek in North Carolina on July 7 (picnic area will be cleaned as well); and in Cosby on July 21. A short hike is planned afterward at Smokemont and Cosby, but after the Deep Creek cleanup volunteers can visit the Oconaluftee Visitor Center for the Women's Work Festival. It features the different types of work women did on mountain farms, such as hearth cooking, soap making, corn shucking and spinning.
Anyone who wants to volunteer but would prefer to do gardening, that will be available at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center June 30 from 9 a.m. to noon.
These service days are a good opportunity to fulfill community service requirements for high school and college students, scout troops, families and working adults with busy schedules. High School students taking part in the TN Promise program can use these opportunities to do the eight hours of community service they must have complete by July 1.
