Hillsborough River State Park Volunteer Information
Wanted: Creatures of the Night Volunteers
For some, Halloween is an excuse to dress up in costumes and have a good time with friends; for others it is also an opportunity to volunteer. Halloween this year is no exception. There are several volunteer opportunities to partake in, ranging from a children’s coloring contest, tram rides in the park, spooky displays on the hunted trail or guiding tours through haunted trail.
This fall, Hillsborough River State Park will undergo an amazing transformation, going from cheerful, sun-filled nature park to a spooky haunted trail complete with ghouls, goblins, and ghosts—but it can’t happen without the help of a few dedicated volunteers.
The Hillsborough River State Park Preservation Society is sponsoring the 17TH ANNUAL HAUNTED WOODS EVENT on October 23 & 24, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The event promises to be a safe and fun way for families to celebrate Halloween. The Citizen Support Organization (CSO) especially needs people for set design and creation, monster make-up, and event participation. Businesses, clubs, and other organizations are invited to adopt portions of the Trail of Terror, or help out in the creation of sections of the trail adopted by other organizations. Volunteers are encouraged but not required to wear a costume. Of course, dressing-up will enhance the experience and may illicit more shrieks from those on the tour.
“There is a lot to do right now. It is a great time for community service,” said CSO President Dan Casella. If you desire a more interactive and ghostly experience, volunteer at the Haunted Trail. Volunteers are needed to set up and take down decorations, lead tours, and dress up as the ghosts of virulent patients and sketchy, uncertified doctors.
We also need event support volunteers on Friday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24 working the main entrance gate at the ranger station. Proceeds will benefit the “Hillsborough River State Park or current Fort Foster Historic Site projects.”
Those interested in this fall event can attend several Haunted Woods planning meetings on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009, Thursday October 1, 2009, Tuesday, October 6, 2009, Wednesday, October 14, 2009 and Thursday, October 22, 2009.
All meetings will be at 7:00 pm at the recreation hall (parking lot#3) at Hillsborough River State Park.
Please note: All volunteers will need to submit a Florida State Park Volunteer application to participate in this event.
BOO!
Contact: Park Services Specialist Patrick Potts at patrick.potts@dep.state.fl.us for more information.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED!!
Hillsborough River State Park/Fort Foster Historic Site
“Where History & Nature Come Together”
o Experience the Real Florida
o Worried the environment won't be there for the next generation? Help restore and maintain the environment and natural resources.
o Fight exotics! Become an environmental guardian!
o Have a knack for wildlife? Guide bird tours, canoe and nature trail programs.
o “Where are you from?” Customer and public services: Make our visitors feel at home through our Ranger Station and Spirit of the Woods Café’.
o Is your motto, “There's nothing that can't be fixed!” Facilities and Park maintenance is for you!
o Be in the spotlight! Fort Reenactment, First person, Living History and Interpretive Programs.
Something for everyone!
100 volunteer hours = free park entry
500 volunteers hours = free annual pass
Camp Hosting also available year round
Volunteers can do many things -- greet visitors, conduct tours, help rangers remove exotic plants or maintain the natural beauty of pine Flatwoods, or hiking trails. The Florida Park Service, due to increased demands on park staff, works closely with volunteers to assist us with meeting the sometimes-daunting task of keeping the parks running and providing visitor services. Volunteers have proven beneficial to the operation of Fort Foster Historic Site where we have many ongoing projects; as well as, the never-ending maintenance of our historic Civilian Conservation Corp CCC buildings.
FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE CAMPING AND WISH TO VOLUNTEER:Here at Hillsborough River State Park, we have several volunteer campsites in a Volunteer Area. These sites include 50 Amp electric service, water, and dump station.
All sites occupied by camping volunteers are to be maintained by them, from weeding, tidying up, mulching, etc. The occupants of the host sites will be our eyes and ears in the campgrounds. Duties may include cleaning restrooms and campsite areas, answering camper questions, availability in case of emergency. If any or all of the above mentioned material strikes your fancy, please come join our team at Hillsborough River State Park/Fort Foster Historic Site.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering for the Florida Park Service.
