There are many opportunities to help Frost Valley YMCA provide enriching outdoor experiences to all people, regardless of their age, ability, or finance. We always need volunteers for the annual Frost Valley YMCA Work Weekend, when we tackle all sorts of necessary jobs, like trailblazing, painting, cleaning up and clearing out, building, and special projects. We also invite former counselors to come back during the summer season to support current summer staff and share with campers the best games, stories, and songs from the past. Your participation helps to ensure Frost Valley YMCA’s timeless appeal.

Volunteer Works Weekend | April 12-14, 2013

Join us for a weekend of giving back. There are projects for the whole family to tackle.  This year we will focus on getting camp ready for spring! Stay in any of our 4-Room Lodges this weekend at a price of $99 per person. We recommend that you bring sturdy shoes (work boots are great), a pair of outdoor/gardening gloves, layers (it can be chilly in April!), water bottle and your camera!

But, it won’t be all work and no play. We’ll make sure that you and your family have time on to take breaks and enjoy the great programs that Frost Valley has to offer: the climbing tower, guided nature hikes, canoeing on the lake, or maybe just reading a good book under Big Tree.

For those who need service hours this will count!

Our projects will include:

Building Wooden Leopold Benches
Skill level: Medium

This requires the use of both power and hand tools. Our team will provide the cut lumber, tools, and direction, and you will have the opportunity to see how one of these beautiful, yet simple, benches comes together! They will then be placed throughout camp to provided additional seating at lodges, fire rings, and along some of our more popular hiking trails.

Preparing our Garden and Greenhouse for the coming planting season
Skill level: Low

This requires the use of hand tools. We will work on repairing the raised beds, clearing out the dead growth, turning over the soil, and adding compost to our planters. We also hope to be able to plant some seedlings in our greenhouse to be transported after Mother’s Day to our raised beds.

Invasive Species Removal
Skill Level:  Medium

Join our Natural Resource Department and assist us with the removal of Barberry bushes. This is a non-native species to the Catskills and we have been working to remove it from our property. This will require the use of hand tools and a good strong back!

Mulching our High Ropes Elements
Skill Level:  Low

Safety is paramount here at Frost Valley YMCA, and one of the many ways that we ensure our guests stay safe is by mulching high use areas. Join us for shoveling, raking and moving mulch to provide a cushioned and protected area for our campers. This will require the use of hand tools and a good strong back!

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Laura Johnson, Conference Director, at (845) 985-2291 ext. 222. Or email her at ljohnson@frostvalley.org