Do you have friends or relatives who don't enjoy camping as you do? Do you have a tough time understanding why? Here's your opportunity to share your love of camping with families in the great outdoors!

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is now recruiting for volunteers who are available this summer to assist with the successful "Let's Go Camping" (LGC) Program. This is a unique opportunity to share your love for and skills in camping with those unfamiliar or new to this highly popular recreational activity.

Scheduled this season are seventeen camping trips at 17 different park locations across the state - one of them may be at YOUR favorite park! Beginning in mid-June and ending before Labor Day, camping trips happen each weekend. Click on the link below to see the Let's Go Camping webpage for dates and locations.

As a volunteer, you may choose to help out with one or more events, lending your expertise to others who are just learning the ropes. Help new campers with tent set-up, safe fire-building, Dutch oven cooking, hiking basics and Leave No Trace camping. Lead a nature hike, arts and crafts activity, or outdoor games. Show others how to identify native birds, animals, flowers, and trees. Teach disc golfing, fly tying, or fishing. In return for your volunteer contribution, you get free camping, orientation and training, valuable leadership experience, and that good feeling that comes with helping others, plus lots and lots of thanks and smiles!

General expectations of volunteers for each event include: 1) Arrive at the event location Friday between 6-7 pm and stay until Sunday around noon, 2) Provide own food and gear (some gear is available, but will first be reserved for the program's participants), 3) Offer support in the form of camping and recreational knowledge and/or program presentations. Gas reimbursement is available.

Come join us! If you would like to talk to someone about volunteering, please contact Jill Nishball, Volunteer Services Specialist at 503-986-0752 or e-mail her at jill.nishball@state.or.us.