Duck Bay Shelter, IL 2025
Join us on the banks of Lake Glendale, as we restore a local CCC-era treasure – the Duck Bay Shelter!
PROJECT PARTNER: Shawnee National Forest
SESSION DATES: September 14-19, September 21-26, and September 28 – October 3
CAPACITY PER SESSION: 7 Volunteers + 1 Kitchen Helper
PROJECT SUPERVISORS: (Assignment in progress)
CREW LEADER: Colby Baker-Thayer
Project Site Description & History
Established in the early 20th century as part of efforts to conserve and manage the American wilderness, the Shawnee National Forest itself was designated a national forest in the 1930’s, during a period when the U.S. government sought to restore lands degraded by logging, agriculture, and mining.
The Shawnee National Forest is an area located in the Ozark and Shawnee Hills of Southern Illinois. The forest spans 289,000 acres of federal land and lies in nine counties within the state. Established in 1933, the inception of the forest is credited to the lobbying efforts of a local regional newspaper editor named Lindloph Oscar Trigg, who believed that a national forest could revive the local economy and drive tourism. The forest is the largest portion of land owned by a single entity within the state and is home to diverse landscapes that make the Shawnee National Forest an area filled with unique geological features. From oak-hickory forests to expansive wetlands, the forest is a space that provides both environmental connection and recreation opportunities to its visitors.
The centralized Lake Glendale Recreation Area is a prime location for hiking, camping, swimming, boating, fishing, and bicycling within the forest. The recreation area is set against a backdrop of tall pine trees and mixed hardwood forests, making it an ideal spot for both first time visitors and longtime guests of the Shawnee National Forest alike.
The Duck Bay Shelter is a unique feature of the Lake Glendale Recreation Area, located in the Shawnee National Forest within Southern Illinois. This CCC-era recreation area consists of a lake and beach area, picnic pavilions, and a campground. The Duck Bay Shelter was constructed during the late 1930s. The structure and shake roof were replaced during the 1960s, but the shelter still retains the original CCC-constructed fireplace, chimney, concrete floor, 3 ft. sandstone apron, and two sets of sandstone stairs. Participants will restore Duck Bay Shelter to its complete 1930’s CCC-era appearance.
We’re excited to have you join us this season in Illinois, as we continue restoration work at the Lake Glendale Recreation Area!
Location and Logistics
SESSION DATES: September 14-19, September 21-26, and September 28 – October 3
Please plan to arrive at the campsite no earlier than 5pm and no later than 7pm on the first day of your session.
LOCATION: About 30 miles away from Paducah, KY
MAP to DUCK BAY SHELTER
ACCESS: 
Tents, truck campers, campervans, trailers, and RVs can accommodated at this project location. Dogs are allowed but must be leashed and kept under control at all times.
WEATHER: Anticipate highs in the low 80s and lows in the high 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 and other volunteers while applying the traditional skills necessary to restore the Duck Bay Shelter, you will assist to:
- Perform concrete work on the shelter
- Log framing for the shelter
- Apply appropriate treatment methods for new log and timber
- Roofing work, such as roofing structure and cedar shingle installation
- Complete window work on the shelter
- Perform log carpentry work
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!
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Visit our Job Calendar to see how many 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.