Friday, September 19, 2025
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Sunday, September 21, 2025

Sam McDonald Park

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Note that children 14 and over are welcome on V-O-Cal projects. Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 14 may attend VoCal with a non-volunteering adult supervisor, but neither would volunteer that day per the terms of our waiver.

Project Background and Description

Join us for a weekend of camping and trailwork in the beautiful redwoods of San Mateo County. We will be working on rehabilitating the Big Trees Trail and building another staircase!
          
After trailwork, relax by the creek, visit some old trees, take a 30 minute drive to the beach, or visit the Pescadero Marsh to see migrating birds and an incredibly biodiverse ecosystem. You won't want to miss it! A full list of suggested activities is below.
More info about:
Sam McDonald Park
More about what it is like to volunteer on a project:
Volunteer

Project Pictures

Help recruit more volunteers! Download the project flyer here

Project Flyer

Covid Policy

Because we do not want any of our projects to become a super-spreader event, V-O-Cal policy is that each of us should respect our fellow volunteers by not attending a project if you have contracted Covid and have not yet tested negative.  In addition, if you have been exposed to Covid in the week before a V-O-Cal project, you should test to make sure you are unable to expose others.  Thank you for keeping our V-O-Cal community and families safe.

Camp

Camping will be at Jack Brook Horse Camp, accessed by a one way at a time road that is timed by top of the hour to camp, bottom of the hour from camp. It's a dirt road from the main road, dusty but ground clearance isn't really needed, all but low riders should be able to make it there. We'll have folks at both ends of the road to ensure safety.

Driving Directions

If you are biking, the actual address of camp is 12430 Pescadero Road.

Map Link

Carpool/Parking Information

Level of Effort

Project Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet
If a parking pass is required at the project site, it will be included with the fact sheet.

Project Schedule

‍Friday
5:00 pm - Registration and camping open. DINNER IS NOT PROVIDED.

Saturday
7:30 am - Registration, light breakfast, and lunch packing
8:30 am – Morning greeting, announcements, stretching and safety talk
9:00 am – Project begins
12:30 pm - Break for lunch on trail.
3:30 pm - Stop work and return to camp. Clean and store tools.
4:00 pm – Drinks, appetizers and socializing. Sun showers available.
6:00 pm - Dinner

Sunday
7:30 am - Registration and lunch packing begin. Hot breakfast is served.
8:30 am – Morning greeting, announcements, stretching and safety talk.
9:00 am – Project begins
11:30 am - Lunch break
1:30 pm - Return to camp, load tools and gear on truck
2:30 pm – Head for home

Things to Do Before or After the Project

  • Food/Drink
  • Beaches/Marsh
    • Pescadero Marsh - Rich in biodiversity, the Pescadero Marsh is at least 6 ecosystems in one. In the fall, tons of migrating birds can be seen soaring across the sky. 
    • Bean Hollow State Beach - Hike along the bluffs, visit Pebble Beach, tidepool, and/or spend time on the south beach. It’s the only beach that allows dogs.  
    • Año Nuevo State Park - You may be able to catch some juvenile elephant seals getting some beach time as a part of their early development. Ano Nuevo has a rich geological history and biodiversity. 
    • Pigeon Point Lighthouse and Hostel - 115ft tall, the Pigeon Point Lighthouse is a landmark on the central coast. Just north of the lighthouse off of Pigeon Point Road, there are some great tidepooling spots. Great place to watch for migrating humpback whales. It’s also a hostel. 
  • Redwood Parks

What to Bring and Wear

For your safety and protection from hazards, please be prepared with the following items:
  • Sturdy shoes or boots with good tread. Ankle support will be important where we are building new trails. Sandals and open-toed shoes will not be permitted
  • Water bottles or a water bladder that can hold at least 2 liters of water. (You will not be allowed on the trail without water.)
  • Day pack to carry your water and lunch.
  • Work gloves. (If you don’t have your own gloves, V-O-Cal will provide them. Please return them at the end of the project.)
  • V-O-Cal provides all necessary tools, as well as training on tool use and safety.
  • Sunglasses, hat and sunscreen.
  • Insect repellent and allergy medicine (if you normally need these things when working outdoors).
  • Reusable plate/bowl, eating utensils, and mug/cup.
  • A change of clothes for each work day and for lounging at camp to minimize the spread of poison oak.
  • Please come prepared for a variety of weather conditions (think layers!). Unless there is a serious storm predicted, we will work drizzle or shine.
If you are camping, you will also need the following items: 
  • A tent (if you have the option to bring a smaller tent, please do!)
  • A sleeping bag, sleeping pad and pillow.
  • A flashlight or headlamp.
  • A camp chair (if you don't want to sit on the ground).
  • Other camping gear that makes you comfortable

Meals

V-O-Cal provides all meals for volunteers from breakfast Saturday through lunch Sunday. Vegetarian options are available for all meals. (Please note that dinner is not provided on Friday.)
  • To minimize waste we ask that you bring your own reusable plates, coffee mug, cups and utensils. Hot water and soap are provided.
  • A continental breakfast is served Saturday morning.
  • Lunch is prepared before hitting the trail. You break for lunch on the trail around 12:30pm.
  • Please arrive at camp by 7:40am to register, eat breakfast and prepare your lunch.
  • Appetizers and beverages will be available after the work day on Saturday, usually around 4pm. Dinner will follow, usually around 5:30pm.
  • Hot breakfast is served Sunday morning.

Hazards

SUN EXPOSURE | HYDRATION | HYPOTHERMIA Please plan for sun protection, including sun hats, sun block and light long sleeve shirts. We will be in the shade most of the day, but good to be prepared. Bring layers to keep warm as it can get cold in the redwoods. Please bring water bottles or a water bladder large enough to hold at least 2 liters of water. Drink plenty of water throughout the work day. If you feel tired or weak, let your crew leader know, and take a break.

POISON OAK There are limited areas of poison oak. Have your crew leader point some out to you if you don’t know what it looks like. “Bunny suits” will be provided for thohere are limited areas of poison oak. Have your crew leader point some out to you if you don’t know what it looks like. “Bunny suits” will be provided for those who need extra protection. Clean with Tecnu (which V-O-Cal provides) after the work day, and be cautious when handling your dirty clothes. Always wear gloves when handling tools.

TICKS | MOSQUITOES | YELLOW JACKETS Ticks are always a hazard so it is important to check during and after the project. Bring bug repellent for mosquitoes or wear thick clothing. Stay calm around yellow jackets. Most will leave us alone. Crew leaders have first aid kits to help in case of bites/stings.

SHARP TOOLS Please listen to your crew leader’s tool safety talk and observe proper tool use throughout the day.

Volunteer Project Team

  • V-O-Cal Executive Director Cathy Moyer
  • Project Team Leads Kayla Marie Figard | Duane Sheets
  • Technical Lead Lauren Blanchard, mentored by Joe Cavaness
  • Crew Leader Manager Cavine Johnson, mentored by Tomomi Yuasa
  • Kitchen Lead Clara Chan
  • Camp Manager Pete Duringer
  • Registration Augusta Murphy
  • Tool Town Mayor - Jared Rodgers | Anka Karewicz
  • Outreach Kayla Marie | Lily Brady | Melinda Greene
  • Website Lisa Freeman | Geoff Clarke
  • Shopping Kayla Marie| Duane Sheets
  • Truck/Warehouse Load Lead Duane Sheets
  • Stretching Darren Heiber (Saturday) | Duane Sheets (Sunday)
  • Artist in Residence Taylor Seamount

Agency Partners

San Mateo County

Project Sponsors

Project Sponsor

Special thanks to Bay Area Barns and Trails (BABT) for their generous grants supporting V-O-Cal these past few years. BABT assists landowners and land managers with preservation and maintenance of publicly accessible Bay Area barns, stables, pastures, staging areas, horse camps, and trails.

In-Kind ProjectSponsors‍

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Help recruit more volunteers! Download the project flyer here

Project Flyer

Other Upcoming Projects

October 10, 2025
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October 12, 2025

Huddart Park

We'll be having a great project at Huddart Park in Woodside in October. More info to come!

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