Hale Reservation | Volunteer

“For tens of millions of people around the world, volunteering is an expression of support for a principle that strikes to the heart...by working together, we can make the world a better place for everyone.”
-(Source: United Nations Volunteer website)

Thank you for your interest in doing a service project at Hale Reservation.
Without volunteers many tasks would not get done.

Why Volunteer at Hale Reservation?

When you participate in a service project at Hale you will be benefiting thousands of youth and adults. On any given day you can find dog walkers, hikers, runners, bikers, and families enjoying the 12 plus miles of trails in our 1100 acres of woodlands and ponds. During the summer, Hale Reservation is one of the largest day camp facilities in the country, serving over 4400 children from 70 communities in the Greater Boston area. During the school year we host thousands of youth through outdoor education programs and our membership beach program serves about 500 family members in a safe waterfront environment between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Who Can Volunteer at Hale Reservation?

We encourage individuals, organizations, and corporations to become involved at Hale Reservation as volunteers. Whether clearing trails, painting a shelter, replacing boards or cleaning the beach area, all of the service projects contribute to the safety, maintenance, and preservation of this unique private non-profit educational organization.

Volunteer Opportunities at Hale Reservation

GROUP PROJECTS - These are great for youth groups, religious organizations, local corporations, scout troops, school sports teams and/or community groups.

Work Project - work on teambuilding by selecting an afternoon or day to do a large scale service project.
Adopt a Project - ‘adopt’ a seasonal or yearly project such as putting in or taking out docks, painting buildings, or assisting with water testing.
Adopt a Trail or Site – groups can 'adopt' one area of Hale Reservation by committing to provide ongoing maintenance and care for that area or trail.

INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS - These are great for school service hours, scout projects, or just a fun way for a family to give back to the community.

Scouting Service Projects – work on your Boy Scout Eagle Scout or Girl Scout Gold Award by developing a project at Hale Reservation. Yes, Hale counts for scout projects as because Hale is not part of a scouting organization and it is open to public use.
Brush cutting, raking, snow shoveling- complete your service hours in the great outdoor environment ofHale Reservation
Special Education Students and Job Coaches- this is a great opportunity for a 'volunteer job' a student can do under the supervision of their job coach
Administrative Assistant Volunteers– assist with tasks such as answering phones, mailings and data entry.

EAGLE SCOUT SERVICE PROJECTS

Below are a few sample Eagle Scout Projects from the past. Please contact us if you have any specific ideas and we will work to accommodate skills and interests

Sample #1: Trail Rehabilitation - Interpretative Trail
The basis of this project was to restore to working condition and to make usable to the general Hale Reservation's previously-created nature path for the visually-impaired citizens. The trail was once used by the students of the Perkins School for the Blind. It fell into disrepair and this Eagle Scout Candidate restored it. This project included all aspects of repair from debris removal to remarking to creating the guide books. This project required 126 man-hours.

Sample #2: Stream Reclamation
This Eagle Scout Candidate cleared approximately 1,000 feet of Powissett Brook adjacent to Storrow Pond of brush, logs, and debris. He then re-created a trout habitat in the brook. The hope being that the trout would go up stream to spawn. This project required 189 man-hours.

Sample #3: Cabin Restoration
This Eagle Scout Candidate restored one of the original buildings on the property. As can be seen in the history and mission section of this website, there is a strong Scouting history here; this is the site of Camp McLeod, Troop 1 Westwood, Mass. This scout repaired the doors, chinking in the logs, the flagpole, cabinets, and shelves. He replaced the sink, shutters, and the fire ring. This project required 156 man-hours.

ADDITIONAL SAMPLE PROJECTS
Projects may include but are not limited to the following:

Stain / paint shelters, washrooms or buildings
Terrace an area for better drainage
Spread woodchips along paths and program areas
Clear brush by trails, roads, shelters and buildings
Repair boards on shelters, benches, walk ways and picnic tables
Repair screens in washrooms and buildings
Plant flowers and other general landscaping
Snow shoveling
Give support to Special Events such as program leadership, support logistics, parking

For any project you can choose from our list or design your own project. (All projects must be approved by the Hale Reservation volunteer coordinator)

Please contact Hale Reservation to set up your volunteer project.
E-mail: info@HaleReservation.org
Tel (781) 326-1770
Fax (781) 326-0676