Bamberger Ranch Preserve – Annual Family Day

More Volunteer Opportunities – April 12^th – Family Day

Below is a list of volunteer opportunities from which you can choose.  If you have any questions, please let me know as soon as possible.  We want to provide answers in advance so we can all be as prepared as possible for the big day.

·       Greeters – Two volunteers per shift are needed at the front gate to welcome visitors to the ranch and provide some basic information such as: 1) the parking lot is 2.9 miles from the front gate to the MBREC and volunteers are on hand to direct parking; 2) the meeting location for the trailer tours is in front of the MBREC; and 3) the meeting location for guided trail hikes is at the Center.  Greeters will be provided with a list of anticipated visitors, frequently asked questions, and a brief history of the ranch.  Volunteers will work in shifts with the 1^st shift from 8:45 – 11 am and the 2^nd shift from 11 am – 1 pm.  Please bring a chair for your use under a shaded cover at the front gate.  Volunteer service hours should be logged under Bamberger Ranch Public Outreach (Indirect).

·       Parking Assistants – Four volunteers per shift are needed to help ensure visitors park as efficiently as possible in the parking lot across from the MBREC.  Early arrivals should park on the far side of the gravel parking lot until that row is full.  A second row of cars will park closer to the road until full.  The overflow lot is a mowed grass area just a little farther up the road and will be used as necessary.  In addition, volunteers will help visitors get their bearings so they can make the most of their day.  Volunteers will work in shifts as follows: the 1^st shift is from 8:45 – 11 am; the 2^nd shift is from 11 am – 1 pm; and the 3^rd shift is from 1 – 3 pm.  Volunteer service hours should be logged under Bamberger Ranch Public Outreach (Indirect).

·       Ranch Docents – Four volunteers per shift are needed to: 1) help anyone who looks lost or in need of assistance; 2) answer questions; 3) help visitors select which guided trail hike they want; and 4) help visitors find meeting locations for trailer tours and guided trail hikes.  Volunteers will be provided with a list of frequently asked questions, a brief history of the ranch, trail descriptions, and hints about where to find eligible items for the photo scavenger hunt.  Volunteers will work in shifts with the 1^st shift from 8:45 – 11 am, the 2^nd shift from 11 am – 1 pm, and the 3^rd shift from 1 – 2:15 pm.  Volunteer service hours should be logged under Bamberger Ranch Public Outreach (Indirect).

·       MBREC Docents – One volunteer per shift is needed to answer questions about the facility and the collections on display as well as keep an eye on the building and its contents.  Volunteers will work in shifts as follows: the 1^st shift is from 10 am – noon; the 2^nd shift is from noon – 2 pm; and the 3^rd shift is from 2 – 3 pm.  Volunteer service hours should be logged under Bamberger Ranch Public Outreach (Indirect).

·       Ranch Tour Interpreters – There will be two trailers departing for 1.5-hour tours at 9 am and again at 1 pm.  One trailer will see scimitar-horned oryx and the man-made bat cave while the other trailer will see dinosaur tracks and provide an opportunity to search for fossils.  One volunteer is needed for each trailer for each destination (i.e., 4 volunteers altogether) to serve as an interpreter between the stops on these tours.  Talking points will be provided in advance.  Volunteers will work in shifts as follows: the 1^st shift is from 8:45 – 11 am and the 2^nd shift is from 12:45 – 3 pm.  Please note, there will be at least four trailer tours during the day and possibility more.  I will update interested volunteers on this matter.  Volunteer service hours should be logged under Bamberger Ranch Training & Educating Others (Direct).

·       Trail Hike Guides – At least seven volunteers are needed to lead one trail hike.  Guides will point out interesting features, plants, animals, and/or photo opportunities.  Guided hike trails will include: Vision of Selah Trail; Big Tooth Maple Trail; Arboretum Trail; and Spring Site Trail.  Descriptions of the trails will be provided.  If children are on your hike, volunteers may want to use the scavenger hunt list.  Field notes and copies of this list will be provided.  Hikes will be limited to about one hour in duration and 20 visitors per hike.  Volunteers will be needed as follows: Spring Site Trail from 10 – 11 am; Vision of Selah Trail from 10:30 – 11:30 am; Big Tooth Maple Trail from 11 am – noon; Arboretum Trail from noon – 1 pm; Big Tooth Maple Trail from 1 – 2 pm; Spring Site Trail from 1:30 – 2:30 pm; and Arboretum Trail from 2 – 3 pm.  Volunteer service hours should be logged under Bamberger Ranch Training & Educating Others (Direct).

·       Fishing Guides – Two volunteers per shift are needed to assist visitors with learning how to fish at Madrone Lake.  In addition, volunteers can provide fish identification and casting tips as well as a discussion of fish habitat.  Volunteers will work in shifts as follows: 1^st shift is from 8:45 – 11 am; 2^nd shift is from 11 am – 1 pm; 3^rd shift is from 1 – 3 pm; and 4^th shift is from 3 – 4 pm.  Volunteer service hours should be logged under Bamberger Ranch Public Outreach (Indirect).

·       Kid’s Activities Guides – Three to four volunteers per shift are needed to assist kids and parents with a variety of activities under a shaded cover near the Center.  Creative nature-based projects include: painting & planting flower pots; making seed bombs; and making “stained glass” flowers.  Activity instructions will be provided.  Volunteers will work in shifts as follows: the 1^st shift is from 8:45 – 11 am; the 2^nd shift is from 11 am – 1 pm; the 3^rd shift is from 1 – 3 pm; and the 4^th shift is from 3 – 4:15 pm.  Volunteer service hours should be logged under Bamberger Ranch Public Outreach (Indirect).

·     Cultural Heritage Docents – Two volunteers per shift are needed to assist the Bambergers with visitors to Hes’ Country Store.  This cabin is a recreation of life in a rural setting where residents were dependent upon their natural surroundings for both food and fuel.  Talking points will be provided in advance.  Volunteers will work in shifts as follows: the 1^st shift is from 10 am – noon; the 2^nd shift is from noon – 2 pm; and the 3^rd shift is from 2 – 3 pm.  Volunteer service hours should be logged under Bamberger Ranch Public Outreach (Indirect).

·       Trash Spotters – Three volunteers per shift are needed to make sure the trash cans do not overflow.  Full trash bags will be stored behind the Center and transported to a dumpster at the end of the day.  Latex gloves will be provided upon request.   Since water stations will be located near trash can locations, please work with Water Monitors should you notice the water supply needs to be replenished.  Volunteers will work in shifts as follows: the 1^st shift is from 11 am – 1 pm; the 2^nd shift is from 1 – 3 pm; and the 3^rd shift is from 3 – 4:15 pm.    Volunteer service hours should be logged under Bamberger Ranch Public Outreach (Indirect).

·       Water Monitors – Two volunteers per shift are needed to monitor the water levels at the water refill stations.  In some locations, hoses can be used to refill the 5-gallon water coolers.  However, a personal vehicle may be necessary to transport water to locations such as the Madrone Lake Patio.  Since trash cans will be provided near water stations, please work with Trash Spotters should you notice a trash can is near overflowing.  Volunteers will work in shifts as follows: the 1^st shift is from 11 am – 1 pm; the 2^nd shift is from 1 – 3 pm; and the 3^rd shift is from 3 – 4 pm.  Volunteer service hours should be logged under Bamberger Ranch Public Outreach (Indirect).

Morning volunteers are encouraged to arrive by no later than 8:30 am so that any last-minute details can be addressed before early visitors arrive at 8:45 am.  Volunteer parking will be on the left-hand side in the mowed lot just beyond the visitor parking across from the MBREC.  Please wear your Bamberger volunteer t-shirt if you have one.  A limited number of volunteer t-shirts may be available on the day of the event.

If you are interested in volunteering for one or more of the above items on April 12^th, please let me know as soon as reasonably possible.  The number of volunteer opportunities is many and varied so there is something for everyone.  While you can sign up for as many of these tasks as you prefer, please do not feel obligated to do everything.  The length of time you spend working at this event is strictly up to you and all efforts are greatly appreciated.

Look forward to seeing you there!