Recent Activities
What the Friends have been doing...
Annual Volunteer Picnic
Every year the Friends host a picnic honoring volunteers in the Mount Rogers NRA. These include campground hosts, volunteers through programs such as the Student Conservation Association, and volunteers working at Green Cove Station, Whitetop Station, & the Pat Jennings Visitor Center.
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This year's picnic was hosted at Raccoon Branch Campground where the Friends grilled hamburgers .jpg)
and hotdogs and each member brought a dish or two for everyone's enjoyment. The younger volunteers and Forest Service employee Sara Schell headed up a game of "Washers," which is similar to horseshoes.
We can't wait to do it again next year!
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Whispering Waters Trail Maintenance
Several years ago, the Friends adopted Whispering Waters Trail inside the popular Grindstone Campground. Due to its heavy use by campground visitors, the trail had been showing wear.
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Last year, with monies designated by a late member, the Friends approved to help improve the trail and its educational aspects. This past June, several Friends members met Forest Service employees and volunteers and performed minor trail maintenance such as clearing check dams & cutting overgrown branches making it difficult for hikers to pass throough.
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The money approved for this project is going for a new trailhead sign which will replace the one standing above the Grindstone amphitheatre. With any leftover money and future Friends assistance, old and new interperative stops will be placed along the trail which will be directed by an updated pamphlet provided for hikers.