Boykin Springs Shelter, TX 2024 *POSTPONED*
Spring into action to help restore the shelter at Boykin Springs Recreation Area nestled inside the tranquil Angelina National Forest.
PROJECT PARTNER: Angelina National Forest
SESSION DATES: April 21-26, April 28 – May 3, and May 5-10
PROJECT SUPERVISOR: Daniel Ensalaco!
CREW LEADER: Charles Dobry!
Project Site Description & History
The Pineywoods of East Texas is a region thick with rolling hills, swamps, and pinewood forests that extend eastward into Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. It’s the kind of place that is naturally equipped for outdoor activities and perfect for recreation areas like the one at Boykin Springs. Developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, the Boykin Springs Recreation area is one of thousands like it featuring picnic areas, established campsites, and a prominent shelter like the one we’ll be working on.
Centered within the Angelina National Forest, the Boykin Springs Recreation area sits in a cozy pocket of land just west of the popular Sam Rayburn Reservoir and features its own man-made lake built by the CCC with headwaters flowing from the Boykin Creek. The springs that flow through Boykin Creek are known for their cascading waterfalls and pools up to six feet deep, which are popular among locals yearning for a quick dip. Boykin Springs along with Boykin creek is named after Sterling Boykin, who settled the area and is buried within the campground.
From late April into May HistoriCorps is excited to engage volunteers in the restoration of this fabled shelter which features and open-air log pavilion with a cross gabled roof composed of log posts and log rails, a stone chimney, and exposed truss roof system, classic of the 1930s time period in which it was built. You can learn more about the history and use of the Boykin Springs Recreation Area by reading the Lufkin Daily News article or going to the Angelina National Forest website.
Location and Logistics
SESSION DATES: April 21-26, April 28 – May 3, and May 5-10
Please plan to arrive at the campsite no earlier than 5pm and no later than 7pm on the first day of your session.
LOCATION: Located 2.5 hours Northeast of Houston, TX
CAMPSITE INFORMATION:
Tents, truck campers, campervans, trailers, and RVs 25′ feet and under are welcome. Hookups are not available, but showers are! Dogs are welcome but must be leashed. Bring your kayak if you have one!
WEATHER: Anticipate highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s. Weather conditions may be rainy, cloudy, or sunny. Volunteers are responsible for checking weather conditions before their session begins, and packing appropriately.
ABOUT VOLUNTEERING: HistoriCorps projects are free for volunteers! HistoriCorps will provide all meals, tools, training, equipment, and a campsite. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation to the campsite, sleeping equipment, work gloves, clothes and boots, and other personal gear.
Scope of Work
SCOPE OF WORK DIFFICULTY: 
HistoriCorps is committed to educating and training volunteers in preservation skills, with an overarching mission of inspiring a preservation ethic in all those involved. Learning and working alongside expert HistoriCorps field staff, volunteers and applying the traditional skills necessary to restore the Boykin Springs Shelter:
- Replace asphalt roofing with architectural shingles
- Repair eroding and damaged logs
Please note: Tasks vary by day and by week, depending on a variety of factors including: weather, project priorities, previous groups’ work, and more. Though it is likely you will get to learn and practice most or all of the above tasks, it is not guaranteed. The higher percentage of the scope a particular task is, the more likely you will get to practice it.
Sign Up!
We’re thrilled this project has inspired you to volunteer!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER! (Postponed – Link Unavailable)
Visit our Job Calendar to see spaces are available!
*All registrations submitted to projects at capacity will be automatically added to our waitlist.*
CANCELLATIONS effect our ability to complete projects. Please register only if you are certain about your ability to participate.
You will know your registration was successful when you receive a confirmation email. Contact volunteer@historicorps.org for assistance.
HistoriCorps does not charge for its volunteering projects. HistoriCorps relies on donations to continue engaging volunteers to save significant historical sites across America for generations to come. Your donation of any amount will make an incredible difference! Increase your impact – make a generous gift today.
Volunteer Logistics, Policies, and Advice
We’re so glad you’re interested in joining this project! If you’re new to our community, review the Volunteer FAQ first! Please note the following logistics and policies:
- Volunteering with HistoriCorps is free! We will provide all meals, tools, training, equipment, and a campsite or shared indoor lodging. Dinner is not provided on the first night.
- Volunteers are responsible for bringing their own gear, work gloves, sturdy work clothes and boots, and appropriate sleeping equipment. Check the average temperatures before you start packing – the nights and mornings may be colder than you anticipate! Then, read this advice about how to stay warm when tent camping in colder places.
- Campsite accessibility varies by project. Some projects can accommodate tents only; others can accommodate small RVs. Please review the project site description above for more information, and if you’re still not sure, email volunteer@historicorps.org for help.
- If this project does not offer showers, you might want to consider bringing a solar shower or research other methods to clean up after the work day.
- Volunteer crew sizes generally range from 4-8 volunteers, with two HistoriCorps staff that lead and train volunteers in the work.
- Safety is one of HistoriCorps’ top priorities, and volunteers can contribute to a safe working environment by ensuring their physical fitness is adequate for the work. See above for this project’s scope of work and difficulty level. Please, call us if you are not quite sure if a project is a good fit for your skills or fitness level. We may be able to suggest a project more suitable and enjoyable for you.
- Hard hats, eye protection, ear protection, gloves are standard personal protection equipment (PPE) required on all projects. Hard hats must be worn at all times on the project site, unless working in a designated safe space. Field staff will train volunteers on correct use of PPE.
- Dogs are generally allowed to accompany their humans in project campsites (actually, we love having dogs join us around the campfire!). Dogs are not permitted on the job site for everyone's safety. HOWEVER: HistoriCorps also follows the rules and regulations of our project partner. If the project partner does not permit dogs onsite then HistoriCorps is no exception. Please ask HistoriCorps or the project partner directly if you have any questions about whether Fido is welcome.