2018-Steamboat Springs Family Camping & Trail Construction (Dry Lake Campground)

Start Date-End Date: 09/08/2018-09/09/2018 Land Manager Office: USFS - Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District Land Manager Contact: Kent Foster Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Yampatika Summary: We're back at Buffalo Pass to build the Soda Creek Loop Trail on this family-friendly project. Description: About the Stewardship Site: Located about three hours northwest of Denver, Steamboat Springs is a popular tourist destination known for its charming downtown, mountain views, nearby ski area and plentiful hot springs. Volunteers will spend the weekend in the neighboring Buffalo Pass area, home to alpine lakes, campgrounds, and numerous trails for hikers, equestrian and motorized users. About the Volunteer Experience: We're back at Steamboat Springs' Buffalo Pass for year two of this Family Camping project! Open to individuals and families with children ages 6+, this project offers something for everyone. While children ages 6-11 enjoy fun, educational activities led by VOC's Programs Manager and local nonprofit Yampatika, children ages 12+ will work alongside parents and family members to build the Soda Creek Loop Trail, which will cater to beginner mountain bikers and hikers and be part of a new, 40-mile trail network. Volunteers will spend the night at the Dry Lake Campground and be treated to meals from our volunteer Crew Chefs on Saturday and Sunday. About the Overall Impact: This project is part of a multi-year effort by the City of Steamboat Springs and the U.S. Forest Service to expand the town's access to trails for mountain bikers and other non-motorized users in the Buffalo Pass area. By helping to construct the Soda Creek Loop Trail, volunteers will play an instrumental role in connecting two non-system trails and creating a desirable 2-mile hiking loop close to town. Need-to-Know Details: Minors:Youth under 18mustbe accompanied by an adult 21 years or older on overnight projects. Camping, Parking, Food & Facilities:VOC will provide all tools and equipment, including work gloves and hard hats when needed.Campsites are provided on this project; you must bring your own tent, sleeping bag, camp chair, and other supplies. Our volunteer Crew Chefs will provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturday, as well as breakfast and lunch on Sunday. Cancellation:Our land manager partners rely on VOC volunteers to accomplish critical stewardship needs, and our projects often have wait lists. If you need to cancel, pleasecontact Jamie Burkeat 303-715-1010 ext. 116 as soon as possible so we can free your spot for another volunteer and have a full workforce.? Latitude/Longitude: 40.535732, -106.781280 Additional Information: Camping Available: Yes Physical Difficulty: Moderate High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 60 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 88 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 24 Total Volunteer Days: 112 Total Unique Volunteers: 61 Total Volunteer Hours: 995.5 Staff Hours: 53 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Project portion: We had set out to build a half mile of trail to complete the Soda Creek Loop Trail. That was the goal for the weekend and we completed it. I had to stop the volunteers early on Saturday so that we would have work to do on Sunday. A lot of the trail was lined out on an old road bed or a social trail/game trail, so the bench was already established and we just needed to scratch off the vegetation. Kent was able to come up with a couple more objectives to round out the day on Sunday including 300 feet of brushing out an overgrown trail and closing off 30 feet of a social trail. The completed work did not deviate from the original scope of work. We ended at noon on Sunday so it would have been nice to have a little more work to feel like the three hour drive was worth it for our volunteers as most of them came from the front range. This is just a thought i had, did not hear any complaining from the volunteers. Youth portion: Yampatika was awesome! Kellie was on time on Saturday with her two staff, Eric and Mikayla, and they were ready to go with a tent and a bunch of materials for the kids. We only had 9 kiddos Saturday and 8 Sunday, which helped keep the group focused and motivated. On day 1, we focused on using our senses to make observations on our hike. For example, we used blindfolds for an activity and did a silent hike to focus on other senses. Yampatika also had the kids make journals, which was a really great reflection and interaction activity for the children. In the afternoon, we learned how to use maps and compasses. This was a bit tough for the age group and could have been more structured or presented in a different way (maybe not after lunch in the hot sun). On day 2, we did another hike, but this time focusing on animal signs. Kids really enjoyed this, especially when we saw animal tracks in the mud and were able to look at the pelts and skulls Yampatika brought. We finished early (around 11:30-12) because the parents finished the trail, but this was perfect timing, given how pooped the kiddos were. One note I would say is to make sure parents pick up their kids right after doing the trail work. Parents seemed to assume we were just hanging with the kids and some went to hang out or break down tents, which left Yampatika just waiting around a bit after their programming. Also, Eric led some of our hikes off the trail to follow deer tracks, but I felt this did not teach the kids proper LNT. It would have been good to go over LNT at the beginning and then reiterate it throughout the weekend. Kid Roster: RJ Casteel (11), Korbin Scadden (6), Breana (8) and Celeste (6) Nightingale, Alex (11) and Genevieve (9) Stengel, and Hank (8), Charlie (9), and Lucy (10) Sanders Successes and Challenges: Successes: Great project that everyone enjoyed. It was in a beautiful area. The project site was mostly all shaded which was appreciated by the volunteers. Kent was on site both days for the duration which was great. From the sounds of it the youth program was a success and very well received by the kids. Yampatika is a great partner! Challenges: Volunteers that were on the project last year did a lot of grumbling that there was not a porta potty in the parking lot near the kitchen tent. There are pit toilets at the camp ground, a five minute walk away. Lessons Learned: Get a porta potty for the parking lot if we do a project in this area again next year. Kent is great to work with, but is difficult to get a hold of. Don't hesitate to keep bugging him to get what you need from him. He knows he is hard to get a hold of and asks to be reminded and bugged. Special Notes: We had lots of donations from businesses in the Steamboat area, which was great. Big Agnes, SmartWool, and Old Town Hot Springs all donated raffle items. Some were give away on the project and some were saved for other projects or event giveaways. Old Town Hot Springs also gave discounted admission to any volunteers that mentioned VOC. It was a huge success as most people left camp on Saturday night and I was able to go to bed as early as I wanted! Stewardship Education: Yampatika for the youth program. Kent was floating around both Saturday and Sunday answering questions about the trail and really anything. It was great to have him out there and be so engaged with the volunteers. Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: no porta potties at the parking lot-volunteers could have had a wider scope of work-staff Description of Accidents/Incidents: One small issue with the tool truck that wayne was able to get resolved. he followed up with Enterprise after the project as well. It was not an issue that we will be charged for. Description of Work Completed: