Trip Overview:
Blues Crew is excited to partner with Washington State Parks at Camp Wooten Retreat Center for a 3-day/2-night work party focused on trail enhancement. Historic flooding in 2020 damaged road access, grounds, and trails causing the park to close to the public. Volunteers will get the trails ready for the return of park users in 2022.
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 was the location of Outdoor School for hundreds of area youth for decades and a popular retreat for church and youth groups. Features include wooded nature trails and Donnie Lake, popular for learning to canoe. Blues Crew will work with state park staff to improve identified sections of the trail system.
Six group meals beginning with Friday dinner will be provided for $45. Can’t make it for all three days? Look for our Saturday-only ticket option!
Be a part of this exciting volunteer opportunity! We'll have fun, work hard and make a difference. No experience is necessary.
Volunteer work to accomplish:
Tread work
Erosion prevention
Lots of brush removal
Cutting and removal of downed timber
General cleanup
What it takes to do this work party:
No experience is necessary—bring a great attitude for working with a team! Blues Crew leaders and park staff 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; participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult with a signed parental consent form
Can’t make it for three days? Join us for Saturday’s work party! Select the ticket option for a single-day ticket which will include lunch and dinner for $20. Plan to arrive at Camp Wooten by 9:30 a.m. to get started on trails.
Trip Notes:
During this multi-day work party, Washington State Parks will provide access to the dining hall, commercial kitchen, and rustic cabins, each sleeping up to 11 people. Individuals may elect to tent camp or bring a camp trailer to the campground by prior arrangement with the group leader. Shared bathrooms and showers are available. RV hookups are not available.
Shared group meals for the 3-day work party will be provided at cost, including two breakfasts, two lunches, and two dinners. Participants may be asked to complete a dietary needs survey to identify allergies and preferences.
Pets are not to accompany volunteers on a Blues Crew work party due to work safety concerns. Pets are also not allowed in the park buildings.
COVID precautions are limiting group size and accommodations. Blues Crew follows state and federal guidelines which are constantly changing. At this time, Blues Crew requests that all participants are vaccinated due to shared housing and meals. All individuals will be expected to wear masks during group gatherings and when social distancing is not possible.
Schedule - Get ready for a great day
FRIDAY, APRIL 1
7:45 am - Meet at Cascade Farm & Outdoor Store parking lot at the corner of Melrose and N Wilbur in Eastgate, Walla Walla. We will carpool/caravan from there.
8:00 am - Depart for Camp William T. Wooten State Park
9:30 am - Arrive at Camp Wooten. Orientation, housing plan, safety briefing. Trail work until 5:00 pm - Participants should bring a sack lunch for Friday.
6:00 pm - Group Dinner
SATURDAY, APRIL 2
7:30 am - Breakfast
8:15 am - Worksite activities
Noon - Lunch
1:00 - 4:00 pm - Worksite activities
6:00 pm - Dinner, evening activities, and entertainment
SUNDAY, APRIL 3
7:30 am - Breakfast (Cabins to be cleaned before work activities)
9:00 am - Worksite activities
Noon- Sack lunch and group cleaning of the dining hall, kitchen, and bathrooms
1:00 pm - Depart for the return trip to Walla Walla
CAMP WOOTEN MAP | CAMP WOOTEN BROCHURE
What to wear:
Boots – no sneakers or sandals
Long pants and long-sleeved shirt
Rain gear
Work gloves and eye protection (glasses, sunglasses)
Ticks can be present: bring DEET for self, Permethrin for clothes
What to bring:
Lightweight day pack
Pillow and sleeping bag for cold nights
Water bottle
Warm clothing for wet/cold weather
Personal toiletries
Friday lunch
Blues Crew Supplied: Safety gear, first aid kit, hard hat, tools
For more information, contact us at blues-crew@bmlt.org or 509-525-3136. Please reach out to us if financial assistance is needed.
Blues Crew activities take place on the ancestral lands of the Cayuse, Walla Walla, Umatilla, and Nez Perce. We honor their stewardship of these lands in the past, present, and future.
