Many improvements to the facilities within the Piney Woods Project have been made possible by volunteers that have unselfishly donated their time, skills and equipment to make each lake a more enjoyable place for present and future generations. A deep sense of gratitude is owed to these individuals by the staff within the Piney Woods and the general public as well.

Each year, volunteer couples are recruited and placed within the parks in which they will work.These volunteers are provided a campsite with electricity, and water in exchange for 24 hours of work each week in the parks. Work tasks include, but are not limited to trail maintenance, repair of campground furniture, sign maintenance, and general park beautification.

Volunteers in the past have built trails and trailhead markers, installed wood duck and bat boxes, built bird boxes, and painted fences. Anyone who has something to offer to our public lands is encouraged to be a volunteer.

Each volunteer will be required to provide 24 volunteer hrs per week. Duties will vary depending on the park, location, time of year and other unforeseen factors that may arise. Duty hours will also vary and be dependent on weather and the needs of the park. Volunteers will primarily work independently, but will also work in a group setting as required for special projects or to assist other volunteers in the completion of various work items. The volunteer(s) will receive a full hook-up campsite (depending on location) which includes, 50 amp electrical service, sewer and water.

Lake O’ the Pines offers “on-site” volunteer opportunities within the following parks

Brushy Creek Campground

Shady Grove Day Use Area

Buckhorn Creek Campground

Johnson Creek Campground

Alley Creek Campground

Lakeside Day Use Area

Anyone interested in participating in the volunteer program can visit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Volunteer Program Nationwide Volunteer Clearinghouse web site or call the volunteer hotline at 1-800-vol-teer.