Volunteer Vacations in California's National Parks

These unique, back-to-nature working adventures are designed specifically for companies looking to build strong employee relationships, foster teambuilding and promote company loyalty. The volunteer outings will provide your employees with hands-on training in a unique outdoor classroom where volunteerism sets the tone for learning leadership, team building, and time management skills.

In addition to the critical conservation and beautification component of the outing, The Nature Corps provides employees with the inside track on a variety of exciting recreational activities-- from snorkeling the spectacular coral reefs of Hawaii to escaping into the High Sierra as part of a Llama Tour that explores breathtaking wilderness that only few will ever see.

The employee teambuilding excursions are designed to meet the specific needs of your employees and public relations objectives. From meaningful projects and ranger-led tours to exquisite outdoor dining and unforgettable outdoor excursions, all aspects of your company outing will be organized and carried out by experienced staff.

Projects:
Your employees will play a vital role in restoring crucial habitats in the parks. Projects will include planting trees, revegetation of impacted park habitat, removing non native flora, gathering seeds of endangered species and working in park nurseries.

This is a rare opportunity for your employees to leave their personal legacy as they work to preserve one of our nation’s most cherished natural treasures.

Overview of Program Components:
The Nature Corps handles all aspects of your company’s park experience including:

Lunches will be gourmet box lunches with a variety of sandwiches, fruits, cookies, snacks and drinks.

Dinners will include beef, poultry & seafood BBQs, salads, pastas, flavorful side dishes and a variety of refreshments and desserts.

"Its been a great time planting these trees with a lot of other Chevron employees. I never spend time with these people outside of work. Its great getting together and doing something worthwhile, something that will last and something that is good for the environment. Its been fun having my wife and son here with me and seeing them taking part in this important project."
-- David Welch

"Its been a lot of hard work and sweat ... and very worthwhile. Its been great working with the employees and getting to know them better. This means a lot to me, to be out here doing something for the next generation. I appreciate the opportunity to work with the The Nature Corps and that Occidental has made it possible for me to come out here and be a part of this project. Its been a time that has been very meaningful for my son and I."
-- Gary Gray

"My wife and I talked about how very few people can do something like this. It has been a real pleasure to come out and volunteer on this project. Everyone should have the opportunity to volunteer out here. There are certain milestone in your life like getting married and having a child and then doing something really special like this."
-- Pat Heard

"Without the dedication of the The Nature Corps...irreversible damage would continue to occur around this National Treasure [the General Sherman Tree, the largest living organism on earth]."
-- Richard Martin, Superintendent, Sequoia NP

Project Planning and Coordination:
Meet Park staff on a regular basis to plan and implement all pre-event aspects of the project and evaluate project progression and final results. This will foster the development of satisfying, well-planned & meaningful projects.

Project Promotion and Recruitment:
Develop descriptions of each project, manage a related website, coordinate e-mail, and provide on-site recruitment presentations to introduce employees to the program at various corporate locations.

Administration of the Employee Program:
Administrate all aspects of the program including the distribution and collection of applications, managing correspondence, providing “Welcome Packets” to confirmed volunteers and responding to phone and email inquiries.

Logistical Coordination:
Oversee all logistics, campsite reservations, equipment purchases, and base camp volunteers responsible for setup, teardown and clean up.

Food and Beverage Services:
Our trained chefs will prepare the menus and will be responsible for the food and equipment purchases. In addition, they will oversee the volunteer cooking crews that participate in food preparation, cooking, “BBQing”, lunch assembly, flower arrangements, table settings, clean up, etc. The meals for the outing will be hearty, diverse and nutritious. Menus will include fabulous:

Breakfasts with generous amounts of fruits, melons, fruit drinks, an assortment of coffees and teas, pastries, cereals, meats and egg dishes.

Dinners will include hearty BBQs, salads, pastas, flavorful side dishes, a variety of refreshments and homemade desserts.

On Site Project Management and Volunteer Supervision:
Manage the volunteers for maximum output as well as assess and meet the personal needs of the employees.

Provide Recreational and Educational Opportunities:
Lead nature walks and hikes, organize photography classes, evening programs, invite guest speakers, etc.

Employee Recognition Programs:
Recognize employees through recognition ceremonies, awards, and plaques along with related park service recognition merchandise.

Volunteer Apparel:
Oversee design and production of a variety of volunteer apparel including hats, polo shirts or Tee shirts, depending on time of year and weather.

Photography and Project Documentation:
Provide photographs for press releases, company publications, recruitment presentations, and project documentation for the Superintendent’s and park management’s review.

Public Relations Services:
Write and distribute press releases and work with corporate staff to develop articles for internal publications.

Organize and Implement a Year-End Reunion:
Produce a Power Point presentation for a reunion where employees will celebrate their accomplishments in the park.

Friday Evening:
After a festive BBQ dinner there will be an orientation outlining the itinerary for the trip. Afterwards, the employees will gather at a vista point with an incredible view of the Sierra Nevada to participate in the “Friendship Circle”, an interactive game designed to facilitate group interaction.

Saturday:
Introductions and Welcome from the National Park Service. Present safety guidelines. Break the group up into teams to work on various projects. We will have lunch in the field. Employees will picnic with a park service naturalist who will tell them about the natural and cultural history of the park.

After dinner, we will venture out to a vista point to enjoy a breathtaking view of the Sierra. When we return dessert will be served and various interactive games will be presented including the first round of team competition playing "Win, Lose or Draw"!

Afterwards, the volunteers will have the opportunity to stroll through a spectacular grove of giant sequoias, hike around the meadows, or visit other points of interest

Departure:
Program concludes at 2:00PM. However, volunteers are welcome to stay and enjoy the rest of the day in the park.

At no point in our history is it more important to provide our youth with positive and meaningful life experiences. These excursions serve as a benefit in support of our youth volunteers. By participating in this outing, you are not only providing your employees and their families with a personally rewarding and enriching experience, but also helping to sponsor our student volunteers who are eager to donate their time in the National Parks.