Windknot
08-10-10, 10:19 AM
It's that wonderful time of the year again, and this time we're praying EARLY for good weather!
Unicoi Outdoor Adventure Day, for our newer viewers, is a hands-on, see-and-do event where kids can try many outdoor activities, all in one central location, for nothing but a parking fee.
If you've got kids 15 or under, bring'em!
If you've got a Scout Troop, bring'em!
If you've got a church group, bring'em!
If you've got time on your hands, or you'd like to participate in something good and worthwihile, AND get to share your love of the outdoors' please reserve Saturday, Sept. 25 and volunteer to help out.
I hope to welcome back the many volunteers from previous years, but we'd love to have new folks join in this, too. Most NGTO folks participate in fishing-related areas (stream guides, fly tying, fly casting), but you are free to pick ANY area. The OAD organizing committee (Dredger, Cheesegrits, and Unicoi SP Manager Scott Hudgins) really, really like it when folks allow the committee to make assignments as needed, as in "Hey Don, quit Stream Guiding for an hour and go cover the Registration Desk, please!"
This is an event that I won't miss unless I'm bleeding or contageous.
Check the description below about each activity and see if something appeals to you. I will start a second post under this one to hold Volunteer Info, which I'll update during the ramp-up to OAD.
To volunteer, add a post below that with your real name and the area(s) you prefer, plus that all-important YES or NO to helping out as needed.
Many, many thanks in advance!
================================================== ====
First come, first served. Below is the narrative from previous years' volunteer instructions to help you understand the duties. Thanks for your consideration. We can't pull off this event without an army of vols!
======
Venue Info:
2. Registration & Raffle tents. These workers will greet visitors and get signed liability release forms and pens back from them in exchange for raffle tickets. Detailed instructions will be provided to you on Saturday (9/25), as Kim trains you. Visitors will put one copy of the raffle ticket into the raffle bucket of their choice and keep the other copy. They will use that copy as proof of signing the release form (so they can shoot or canoe) and as proof of a winning raffle ticket number. The raffle will start at 1 PM for free prizes. I have a small, separate work force assigned to the raffle. Volunteers on my roster are eligible for prizes, also!
3. Parking. State Parks staff will guide visitor vehicles to orderly parking in the big field. Parks staff also have a plan for overflow parking, if needed. They may need a few helpers.
4. Archery. Hands-on. One-on-one instruction by WRD and Bowhunters Association. Note that this venue is on far side of Smith Creek, next to the laundry building. It can be reached by the road crossing up near the dam or by the footbridge over the creek to the group camp. Some of you may be asked to provide security. Just stand at edge of venue and prevent visitors from straying into the line of fire.
5. Airgun. Hands on by WRD, 4-H Club, and other volunteers. Same as #4, and located next to it. Again, a few of you may secure the perimeter.
6. Canoe. This venue will be up on lake, in the west corner of the dam along the highway. Paved 16-car parking lot and restrooms. We will likely conduct this on a reservation-only basis during the afternoon.
8. Skeet. Handled mainly by well trained DNR and USFS Rangers and Game Management Technicians. 500 yards downstream from main event (safety, safety). A few of you may simply help at the sign-in tent and keep waiting guests away from the shooting area (no experience needed).
9. Fishing tent. This is where visitors can exchange a driver's license for a loaner fishing pole and bait. Biologists, fishing guides, TU'ers, and other fibbers can answer questions and give fishing tips. Fisheries staff will need at least 5 helpers to stay at the tent to handle loaner rod untangling, knot-tying, bait distribution, and rod checkout. This is a busy tent.
10. Fly casting. Part of the field will be set aside for casting instruction. I suggest that volunteers bring a rod that they don't mind visitors tinkering with (DON'T BRING YOUR GOOD SAGE OR WINSTON!!!). I am venue leader for casting and tying. If you tie, bring your tying stuff with you, too.
11. Fly tying. Bring your supplies and an extra vise if you have one. Let visitors sit down at the table and tie his/her own fly to take home. Variations of the woolly worm (W. bugger, anytime/anywhere, etc.) or San Juan worm have worked well for me in the past. Kids love a gold bead and a big, gaudy fly. Beads from craft store, yarn from Wal Mart. Cheap, easy, and fun for visitor. Many visitors are shy, so you may have to speak up and encourage youngsters to come over and tie their own fly. We will try to have power to the tent (if generator is not too loud), so consider bringing a small lamp.
12. Fishing -stream helpers. Grab a pocket fishing kit (hooks and shot) and some bait (corn) that WRD will supply and go help people fishing on stream. Search them out - look at stringers, tackle used, and forlorn faces. Find a kid and work with him/her for an hour or so on reading water, casting, setting hook, etc. Mentoring! Fishing is NOT restricted to kids only (parent has the driver's license, so they must be hooked, too). Feel free to bring some of your favorite baits to help your reputation as an awesome fishing guide. We will have about 100 loaner poles available, but feel free to bring an extra Zebco outfit if you have one to loan to your "student," since we made 400 loans at our last event. (See item #9). Some of you can help WRD staff stock creek around 10-11 AM. Get some kids to help too - we're bringing buckets to get them involved.
13. Wildlife and Camping venues. The experts pretty much run their own shows. Volunteers here will mainly help Smithgall Woods Education Specialists Sheila Humphrey (Wildlife) with logistics needed by the demonstrators (tables, chairs, PR, food and water, etc).
Thanks for considering the donation of your Saturday to preserve the future of your sport!
Jeff Durniak
Regional Fisheries Supervisor
Georgia Wildlife Resources Division
Unicoi Outdoor Adventure Day, for our newer viewers, is a hands-on, see-and-do event where kids can try many outdoor activities, all in one central location, for nothing but a parking fee.
If you've got kids 15 or under, bring'em!
If you've got a Scout Troop, bring'em!
If you've got a church group, bring'em!
If you've got time on your hands, or you'd like to participate in something good and worthwihile, AND get to share your love of the outdoors' please reserve Saturday, Sept. 25 and volunteer to help out.
I hope to welcome back the many volunteers from previous years, but we'd love to have new folks join in this, too. Most NGTO folks participate in fishing-related areas (stream guides, fly tying, fly casting), but you are free to pick ANY area. The OAD organizing committee (Dredger, Cheesegrits, and Unicoi SP Manager Scott Hudgins) really, really like it when folks allow the committee to make assignments as needed, as in "Hey Don, quit Stream Guiding for an hour and go cover the Registration Desk, please!"
This is an event that I won't miss unless I'm bleeding or contageous.
Check the description below about each activity and see if something appeals to you. I will start a second post under this one to hold Volunteer Info, which I'll update during the ramp-up to OAD.
To volunteer, add a post below that with your real name and the area(s) you prefer, plus that all-important YES or NO to helping out as needed.
Many, many thanks in advance!
================================================== ====
First come, first served. Below is the narrative from previous years' volunteer instructions to help you understand the duties. Thanks for your consideration. We can't pull off this event without an army of vols!
======
Venue Info:
2. Registration & Raffle tents. These workers will greet visitors and get signed liability release forms and pens back from them in exchange for raffle tickets. Detailed instructions will be provided to you on Saturday (9/25), as Kim trains you. Visitors will put one copy of the raffle ticket into the raffle bucket of their choice and keep the other copy. They will use that copy as proof of signing the release form (so they can shoot or canoe) and as proof of a winning raffle ticket number. The raffle will start at 1 PM for free prizes. I have a small, separate work force assigned to the raffle. Volunteers on my roster are eligible for prizes, also!
3. Parking. State Parks staff will guide visitor vehicles to orderly parking in the big field. Parks staff also have a plan for overflow parking, if needed. They may need a few helpers.
4. Archery. Hands-on. One-on-one instruction by WRD and Bowhunters Association. Note that this venue is on far side of Smith Creek, next to the laundry building. It can be reached by the road crossing up near the dam or by the footbridge over the creek to the group camp. Some of you may be asked to provide security. Just stand at edge of venue and prevent visitors from straying into the line of fire.
5. Airgun. Hands on by WRD, 4-H Club, and other volunteers. Same as #4, and located next to it. Again, a few of you may secure the perimeter.
6. Canoe. This venue will be up on lake, in the west corner of the dam along the highway. Paved 16-car parking lot and restrooms. We will likely conduct this on a reservation-only basis during the afternoon.
8. Skeet. Handled mainly by well trained DNR and USFS Rangers and Game Management Technicians. 500 yards downstream from main event (safety, safety). A few of you may simply help at the sign-in tent and keep waiting guests away from the shooting area (no experience needed).
9. Fishing tent. This is where visitors can exchange a driver's license for a loaner fishing pole and bait. Biologists, fishing guides, TU'ers, and other fibbers can answer questions and give fishing tips. Fisheries staff will need at least 5 helpers to stay at the tent to handle loaner rod untangling, knot-tying, bait distribution, and rod checkout. This is a busy tent.
10. Fly casting. Part of the field will be set aside for casting instruction. I suggest that volunteers bring a rod that they don't mind visitors tinkering with (DON'T BRING YOUR GOOD SAGE OR WINSTON!!!). I am venue leader for casting and tying. If you tie, bring your tying stuff with you, too.
11. Fly tying. Bring your supplies and an extra vise if you have one. Let visitors sit down at the table and tie his/her own fly to take home. Variations of the woolly worm (W. bugger, anytime/anywhere, etc.) or San Juan worm have worked well for me in the past. Kids love a gold bead and a big, gaudy fly. Beads from craft store, yarn from Wal Mart. Cheap, easy, and fun for visitor. Many visitors are shy, so you may have to speak up and encourage youngsters to come over and tie their own fly. We will try to have power to the tent (if generator is not too loud), so consider bringing a small lamp.
12. Fishing -stream helpers. Grab a pocket fishing kit (hooks and shot) and some bait (corn) that WRD will supply and go help people fishing on stream. Search them out - look at stringers, tackle used, and forlorn faces. Find a kid and work with him/her for an hour or so on reading water, casting, setting hook, etc. Mentoring! Fishing is NOT restricted to kids only (parent has the driver's license, so they must be hooked, too). Feel free to bring some of your favorite baits to help your reputation as an awesome fishing guide. We will have about 100 loaner poles available, but feel free to bring an extra Zebco outfit if you have one to loan to your "student," since we made 400 loans at our last event. (See item #9). Some of you can help WRD staff stock creek around 10-11 AM. Get some kids to help too - we're bringing buckets to get them involved.
13. Wildlife and Camping venues. The experts pretty much run their own shows. Volunteers here will mainly help Smithgall Woods Education Specialists Sheila Humphrey (Wildlife) with logistics needed by the demonstrators (tables, chairs, PR, food and water, etc).
Thanks for considering the donation of your Saturday to preserve the future of your sport!
Jeff Durniak
Regional Fisheries Supervisor
Georgia Wildlife Resources Division