Cave Mountain Lake Pavilion, VA 2024
We’re heading back to the Blue Ridge Mountains!
PARTNER: George Washington & Jefferson National Forests
SESSION DATES: April 14-19, April 21-26, April 28 – May 3, and May 5-10
PROJECT SUPERVISORS: Reid Saunders!
ASSISTANT PROJECT SUPERVISOR: Beckett Hunecke!
CREW LEADER: TBD!
Project Site Description & History
Whelp, it looks like we’re heading back to Virginia and we couldn’t be more excited! Over twenty volunteers joined us in 2023, putting a sizable dent in the long list of tasks necessary to restore the Cave Mountain Lake Pavilion. Needless to say, we are itching to get back out there to finish the job.
The Pavilion at Cave Mountain Lake Recreation Area is another timeless structure built in the 1930s by the fabled Civilian Conservation Corps, a nine-year program created by federal government that put young men to work during the Great Depression on conservation and natural resources projects across the country. Featuring a public beach with access to fishing, nearly 30 campsites, and close proximity to the area’s most scenic geological tourist attraction, the Natural Bridge at Natural Bridge State Park, Cave Mountain Lake Recreation Area is prime example of the public recreation sites built by the CCC.
Located in the unincorporated community of Natural Bridge Station, the region has a tethered history to the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. In fact, just 20 miles north is the historic town of Lexington and the resting place of Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall Jackson. Other worthy mentions of Lexington’s historical prevalence include being home to both the Virginia Military Institute founded in 1839 and Washington and Lee University founded in 1749!
If these connections are not rich enough, Cave Mountain Lake Recreation Area resides in the beautiful George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, home to the Virginia’s portion of the Appalachian Mountains, and specifically, the wondrous Blue Ridge Mountains. Featuring roughly 125 peaks and rising up to 6,000 feet in elevation, the Blue Ridge Mountains are the highest mountain range in the Eastern United States. Adjacent to Cave Mountain Lake Recreation Area is the infamous Blue Ridge Parkway, a 469 mile Natural Parkway and All-American Road known for its varied scenic attractions, protected wilderness, and for being America’s longest parkway, stretching from Virginia to North Carolina.
If you’re looking for a bit of natural serenity to kick start your preservation efforts this season, this might be a great option. HistoriCorps is excited to lace up our boots and continue our work from 2023 restoring the roof of the pavilion, replacing eroding sill logs, and revamping the interior floor. We invite you to come lend a hand in Virginia’s regal backwoods at the Cave Mountain Lake Pavilion!
Location and Logistics
SESSION DATES: April 14-19, 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 just under 21 miles south of Lexington, VA!
MAP to CAVE MOUNTAIN LAKE PAVILION
CAMPSITE INFORMATION:
Tents, truck campers, campervans, and small RVs or trailers are welcome at our campsite. Hookups will not be available. Dogs are welcomed but must be leashed.
WEATHER: Anticipate highs in the upper 60s and lows likely in the 40s. 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 Cave Mountain Lake Pavilion:
- Log repairs and replacement (40%)
- Repair or replace cedar shake on roof (40%)
- Flooring and carpentry repairs (20%)
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!
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.