Yosemite Volunteer Vacation

Yosemite Volunteer Vacation Itinerary:

Show more for all days

• Day 1 Meet your fellow volunteers for a 3 p.m. orientation in Yosemite National Park. Enjoy a welcome dinner tonight.

  Our volunteer vacation begins this afternoon at 3 p.m. at the Yellow Pines Volunteer Campground located in the middle of Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park. An orientation meeting will be conducted to provide volunteers with an overview of the scheduled work projects as well as training in proper tool use and safety. In the evening, we'll enjoy our welcome dinner together. Dinner and campground reservation included.

• Days 2-4 Work alongside park rangers assisting with trail maintenance and restoration in spectacular Yosemite Valley.

  We begin the day with breakfast at the campground, prepare a box lunch, and then travel a short distance to the day's work assignment in Yosemite Valley. During these three days, we plan to work from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. with an hour scheduled for lunch. We return to Yellow Pines Campground each evening for dinner and relaxation. All meals included.

• Day 5 Depart Yosemite for home this morning or extend your stay in this magnificent national park.

  The Yosemite National Park Volunteer Project ends with breakfast this morning. Volunteers wishing to stay longer may make reservations at other campgrounds or lodging in the park. Breakfast included.

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule above, the itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control, including weather and terrain conditions. Work locations may vary with each volunteer expedition according to the needs of park rangers at the time the expedition takes place.

Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate.

Single travelers are welcome at no additional cost. All volunteers must bring their own tents.

All meals from dinner on Day 1 through lunch breakfast on Day 5; campground reservations; volunteer project leadership and support staff; group tools; transportation from campground to work sites; orientation and training; park entrance fees.

Travel expenses/transportation from your home to Yellow Pines Campground, Yosemite National Park; camping gear (volunteers must bring their own tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad); cost of medical immunizations; insurance of any kind (emergency medical and evacuation insurance is mandatory for this trip and can usually be purchased for less than $75 through REI Adventures); excess baggage charges; airport taxes; alcoholic beverages or soft drinks; gratuities and items of a personal nature.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Trip members may be novice volunteers in good physical condition. Volunteers should be comfortable hiking up to two miles each day, possibly on mountainous terrain with some steep ascents and uneven trails. To assess your fitness, you should comfortably be able to hike stairs for 2-3 miles with a day pack weighing approximately 10-15 pounds as well as work in your garden all day moving plants, shoveling soil and pruning trees. To maximize your enjoyment of the trip and to avoid sore muscles, we suggest beginning a regular exercise regimen at least three months prior to departure. No previous trail maintenance or restoration experience is required.

During the volunteer project, we have reservations for our group at the Yellow Pines Campground. Tent space, bear boxes for safe food storage, and vault toilets are provided. Volunteers should bring all their camping equipment including tents, sleeping bags and sleeping pads as no camping gear is provided. Within 30 minutes walking distance (10-minute drive) volunteers can visit Yosemite Village for groceries, supplies, souvenirs and telephones. Telephones and showers (small fee) are available at Housekeeping Cabins and at Curry Village. Internet service (small fee) is available at Yosemite Lodge. Mobile telephone reception is generally available while visiting these developed areas of Yosemite Valley.

All meals are included beginning with dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 5. We will enjoy hot breakfasts and dinners prepared and served from a mobile kitchen at our campsite. Each morning, ingredients for lunches will be provided for volunteers to prepare their own box lunches. The kitchen crew prepares excellent camp fare and healthy foods, including both meat and vegetarian selections. Bear boxes for safe food storage are provided in the campground and must be used to store any additional personal food or beverages.

Average temperatures in May and September range from 47 to 87 degrees Fahrenheit. Days are generally clear and pleasant, although wind or rain can occur year-round; all day rain is unusual. Volunteers can expect to work every day except in unusually severe weather conditions. Please come prepared for all weather possibilities and equipped with good quality raingear.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. This gear list has been created to help you in choosing your equipment for the trip. Try to bring only what is necessary, as this will help you and the field staff.

Weather

Average temperatures in May and September range from 47-87 degrees Fahrenheit. Days are generally clear and pleasant although wind or rain can occur year-round; all day rain is unusual. Volunteers can expect to work every day except in unusually severe weather conditions. Please come prepared for all weather possibilities and equipped with good quality raingear.

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider

• Please remember to always pack essential items such as your passport, money, eyewear, a change of clothing, hiking boots and medications in your carry-on baggage, in case your luggage is delayed
• Wind chill can be a significant feature of this trip. Air temperatures can be relatively warm, but when the wind is constant you can be robbed of body heat quickly. Adequate wind/raingear is very important.
• Cotton is wonderful in warm weather. However, once it becomes wet, it will drain your body heat. Bring wool or synthetics such as Capilene, MTS and Thermax.
• Always test your layers before a trip. Your outer layer should fit easily over the inside ones without binding and bunching up.
• Make sure boots are broken in. Bring moleskin for foot treatment. Thin liner socks worn under regular hiking socks may minimize the risk of blisters. The liner sock should be synthetic, not cotton.
• Proper footwear is essential for your safety. Your hiking boots will protect your feet should you drop a stone or tool on them. While tennis shoes, FiveFingers shoes, and similar lightweight footwear may be worn in camp, these lightweight shoes are not acceptable while working.
• Nights may be on the chilly side (with temperatures in the 40s F.) so dress in layers; be sure to bring enough clothes that will keep you warm at night and in the early morning.
• You may also want to bring a cooking source if you would like to make something hot for yourself to drink after dinner (remember you will not be able to carry fuel aboard aircraft, but it is readily available in the valley camp and grocery stores).