Sherando Lake Recreation Area, VA 2024
We’re back at Sherando Lake Recreation Area to connect with nature, engage in a rewarding conservation effort, and help maintain a beloved outdoor haven for all to enjoy!
PROJECT PARTNER: George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
SESSION DATES: July 14-19, July 21-26, July 28 – August 2, and August 4-9
PROJECT SUPERVISOR: Patrick Kennedy
CREW LEADER: TBD!
Project Site Description & History
Sherando Lake Recreation Area, located in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, boasts a history dating back to the early 20th century. Initially home to Indigenous peoples, the area experienced a surge of European settlement in the 18th century. By the 1930s, it underwent significant changes with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, aiming to provide employment while conserving natural resources. This period saw the construction of Sherando Lake and its recreational facilities, establishing a foundation for public outdoor activities.
Originally known as White Rock Lake, Sherando Lake was completed in 1936, developed for its recreational potential. The CCC’s efforts resulted in a locale for swimming, fishing, picnicking, and camping, quickly gaining popularity among outdoor enthusiasts. Over time, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s, the area saw further enhancements like additional campsites and hiking trails, fostering its reputation as a prime destination for outdoor recreation.
Today, Sherando Lake Recreation Area is a beloved site, managed by the U.S. Forest Service to balance conservation and recreational use. Known as the “Jewel of the Blue Ridge,” it spans 24 acres and is surrounded by lush forests and mountain scenery, offering a tranquil escape for nature lovers, bird watchers, and photographers. This area continues to be an integral part of Virginia’s outdoor heritage, attracting visitors with its natural beauty and well-preserved ecosystems.
Location and Logistics
SESSION DATES: July 14-19, July 21-26, July 28 – August 2, and August 4-9
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 roughly an hour North of Lynchburg, VA.
MAP to SHERANDO LAKE RECREATION AREA
ACCESS: 
Tents, truck-campers, campervans, and a few trailers or RVs up to 25 feet will have access to our campground. Hookups are not available but showers will be! Dogs are welcome at this project but must be leashed at all times.
WEATHER: Anticipate highs in the 80s and lows in the 60s. 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 Sherando Lake Recreation Area:
- Re-roof kitchen pavilion
- Repoint falling joints in pavilion fireplace.
- If time allows, install structural support post.
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.
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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.