Join BMLT Blues Crew for a 2 day work party focused on trail repair and enhancement at Camp Wooten Retreat Center!

Camp Wooten hosts 10,000 visitors annually, about half of whom use the 1.75-mile Camp Wooten Overlook Trail for outdoor education and recreation. In December of 2025, high winds brought down many large conifers along the trail, and maintenance is needed before the upcoming season.

Over the course of 2 day trips, our work will include: treadwork, repair of switchbacks, installation of water bars, repair of timber steps, and general maintenance including brushing of small trees and encroaching shrubs. This is a multi-day work party, and volunteers are welcome to join us for 1 or 2 days!

Camp Wooten is located southeast of Dayton, Washington along the Tucannon River within the W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area. As an Environmental Learning Center, it has been the location of Outdoor School for hundreds of area youth for decades, and is a popular retreat site for church and youth groups. Features include wooded nature trails and Donnie Lake.

Be a part of this exciting volunteer opportunity! We’ll have fun, work hard and make a difference. No experience is necessary.

Check out more information about Camp Wooten here.

Questions? Get in touch with us at bmlt@bmlt.org.

Trip Details:

• Volunteer work to accomplish:

  🌲 Tread work widening and repairing slumping trails, restoration of switchbacks

  🌲Restoration of previously installed timber stairs; installation of crib steps on some sections

  🌲Erosion prevention including installation of water bars

  🌲Brush removal

  🌲Cutting and removal of downed timber

  🌲General cleanup

• What it takes to do this work party:

  🌲 Tolerance for hard work and backcountry conditions.

  🌲 No experience is necessary—just bring a great attitude for working with a team! Blues Crew leaders will provide training and tools as needed.

  🌲 Expect to be physically active at your own pace for up to 7 hours each day on uneven terrain.

  🌲Recommended for ages 14 and older; under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and a parental consent form must be signed for anyone under 18.

• Meeting location:

  This is a multi-day work party, but participants can come for 1 or  2 days.  Carpools will originate in Walla Walla at the Eastgate Plaza parking lot near the old Dickey’s Barbeque.

  If you’re willing to drive, please arrive with a full gas tank. Please be prepared to share gas costs with your volunteer driver on the return trip (bring cash.)

• Schedule:

  Thursday and Friday - April 30th and May 1st:

  7:45 am: Meet at Eastgate Plaza at the corner of Melrose and North Wilbur in Walla Walla near Dickey’s Barbecue to form carpools.

  8:00 am: Depart for Camp Wooten

  9:30 am: Arrive at Camp Wooten. Orientation and safety briefing. 

  9:45 am: Start trail work!

  12:00 pm: Break for lunch (bring your own lunch)

  12:45 pm: Back to trail work!

  3:30 pm: Debrief/planning next steps, return tools.

  4:00 pm: Depart for Walla Walla

  5:00 pm: Arrive back in Walla Walla

• What to wear:

  ✅ Boots – no sneakers or sandals during work hours

  ✅ Long pants and long-sleeved shirt

  ✅ Neck Gaiter

  ✅ Rain gear

  ✅ Work gloves and eye protection (glasses, sunglasses)

  ✅ Ticks can be present: bring DEET for self, Permethrin for clothes

  *** BMLT Blues Crew Supplied: Safety gear, first aid kit, hard hat, tools

• What to bring:

  ✅ Light weight daypack

  ✅ Lunch and snacks

  ✅ Water bottle - suggest 64 ounces of water

  ✅ Warm clothing layers in case of wet/cold weather

  ✅ Rain jacket and pants

  ✅ Personal care items

  Blues Crew practices Leave No Trace™ principles -- please bring what you need to comply.

• Trip notes:

  ⚠️ This is a multi-day work party, but participants can come for 1 or 2 days.

  ⚠️Carpools will originate in Walla Walla at the Eastgate Plaza parking lot near the old Dickey’s Barbeque – please come with a full gas tank or some cash to help defray expenses for your volunteer driver.

  ⚠️Pets are not to accompany volunteers due to work safety concerns.
  ⚠️ Please fill out the liability waiver and email to bmlt@bmlt.org or print and bring with you to the work party!

  ⚠️ Please stay home if you are feeling unwell.
  ⚠️ BMLT Blues Crew practices Leave No Trace™ principles.

  ⚠️ Is this your first volunteer trail work party? Check out this short video on ‘What to Expect and How to Stay Safe’

• Contact information:

  For more information, contact us at bmlt@bmlt.org or call 509-525-3136.

Presented in partnership with Camp Wooten Retreat Center.