Justin cell: 715 305 0262
Ashley cell: 616 648 8769
SCA 24 Hour Emergency: 866 967 6449
SCA: 888 SCA WORK
Emergency Contact Numbers
Project Description - Abbott Lake Trail
Work Crew will be working and living in the Peaks of Otter Developed Area on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Peaks is located approximately 25 miles north of Roanoke, VA and 10 miles north of Bedford, VA. This developed area includes campground, picnic area, small lake,
lodge, restaurant, historic structures, and numerous hiking trails, including the Appalachian Trail. Area surrounding the park provides ample
opportunity for other outdoor recreation experiences including swimming, rafting, and backpacking. Crew will be involved in the rehabilitation of trails and will begin work on making the Abbott Lake Trail accessible to all. Work
involves cleaning or contructing waterbars, building new foot bridges, trimming vegetation, and tread work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be able to do laundry? - There will be atleast one opportunity to do laundry.
Will I be able to receive over-the-counter medication? - We will be able to dispense common over-the-counter medication.
Will I be able to shower? - Showers may be provided periodically.
What is the crew makeup? - There are three females and three males.
Where is the crew camping? - We will be in a campground, but separated from other campers.
Where can my friends and family send mail while I am at Peaks of Otter? - We will be able to receive letters at
C/O SCA - "Crew Member Name"
Peaks of Otter Maintenance Office
85919 Blue Ridge Parkway
Bedford, VA 24523
Crew Leaders
Justin Poehnelt - I graduated in 2006 from the University of Wisconsin Lacrosse with a BS in Economics and Finance. Luckily, I took a National Outdoor Leadership School backpacking course during the summer of 2004 and realized I could not spend my time working indoors. After graduation, I heard about the SCA and applied for a summer conservation internship and was placed at Shenandoah National Park. I worked in the backcountry office performing trail maintenance, restoring campsites and contacting visitors. Three months in the SCA was not enough for me though.
I applied to and was accepted into the SCA Desert Restoration Corps working with the Bureau of Land Management in southern California. During the first week I was in the Yuha Desert, it was 110 and everything was brown. It was difficult to imagine that I was here to do restoration work, but I have grown to love the desert during the last eight months and I now see the life and history that the desert holds. I am leading a SCA crew earlier this summer in the Mojave National Preserve.
My desire to be a crew leader is the result of my own missed opportunities to do the work like you will be doing on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Finally, I recognize the importance of land stewards for our future and hope to equip you with the skills and experience to perform this vital task.
Ashley Shoemaker - My name is Ashley and I will be one of your crew leaders for the Blue Ridge Parkway IV Crew. I currently work for the SCA in the Desert Restoration Corps in El Centro, CA. I grew up in Michigan, but have spent the majority of the past couple years traveling and doing volunteer work. I will be leading two crews this summer beginning with a crew in Voyageurs National Park, and ending the summer in Virginia with our crew. In my free time I enjoy anything from backpacking to rock climbing or just sitting and reading a book.
Gear
Leather Boots - Hiking boots are ideal, but work boots will be ok. Break these in! No canvas boots.
Tennis Shoes - One pair
Sandals - One pair
Work Pants - Jeans, Carharts, Dickies will all work well.
Long Sleeve Work Shirt- I recommend a lightweight collared shirt.
T-Shirts - 2-3 for camp and work, cotton is fine.
Thick Socks - 3-4 pair. Wool, capilene or polypro socks work best but aren't absolutely necessary.
Long Underwear - Top and Bottom. Invest in real long underwear- look for capilene, polypropylene, bergalene, or even wool. Avoid the white, ribbed cotton type- it is totally useless when wet, and takes a long time to dry.
Wool or Fleece Hat - Keeping your head warm is essential to keeping the rest of you warm! Any thrift store has these. No cotton.
Outer layer - A warm wool or fleece outer layer.
Underwear - 4-5 or what you are comfortable with
Shorts - Not for the worksite, but nice in the afternoons or on the recreation trip.
Swimsuit - We will be near water.
Leather Work Gloves - One pair
Backpack - External or Internal frame. External frames should have an "H" shape frame. External frame backpacks should have a 3000 to 5000 cubic inch capacity. Internal frame backpacks should have a 4000 to 6500 cubic inch capacity. Whatever kind you have, it needs to have a padded waist belt and padded shoulder straps.
Daypack - A comfortable pack, with room enough for food and extra clothes. School backpack would work fine. Working zippers a plus.
Sleeping Bag - Nightime temperatures at our site will average around 60F. Synthetic or down only.
Sleeping Pad - Closed cell foam pads or inflatable pads such as those manufactured by Thermarest. Cheap pads can be found for $5-$10.
Wind/Rain Gear - Water resistant nylon ripstop tops and bottoms work great. No plastic and goretex isn't necessary.
Sunblock - SPF 30+
First Aid Kit - Athletic tape, bandaids, prescription medicine and extra glasses/contact lenses. There will be an SCA first aid kit, but it is nice to have some of the simple stuff.
Bandannas - 3-4 These work great for many things.
Toilet Kit - Brush, comb, tooth brush, toothpaste, dental floss, razor, tampons or pads, and personal hand sanitizer. Biodegradeble shampoo and liquid soap will be provided.
Mess Kit - Something to eat out of and with- plastic bowl or tupperware container works fine. Fork and spoon.
Mug - You'll want some kind of unbreakable mug. Inexpensive insulated plastic ones are fine
Water Bottles - Enough to hold a couple liters. Wide-mouth Nalgene water bottles are nice, and so are Camelback type systems. However, re-used bottled water bottles or canteens will work. No glass, please. Screw-tops are much superior to the squirt-tops, since the squirt-tops leak all over your stuff.
Flashlight or Headlamp - Headlamps are better, since they free up the hands, but they are more expensive.
Towel - Opportunities for swimming
Bug Repellant
Extra Batteries - For headlamp or camera
Clean Clothes - For returning home
Optional - Hat, Sunglasses, Camp Chair, Journal or Book, Camera, Knife(no sheath knives), Sewing kit, Pack Cover, Wash Cloth, Stationary and Stamps, Games or cards
Do Not Bring - Over the counter medication, Cell phone, Electronics, Excessive Cash, Smelly Toiletries and Drugs, Alcohol or Tobacco
