Service Project - Caddo Lake State Park

\\RSVP ON MEETUP ALONE DOES NOT RESERVE A SPOT ON THE TRIP\\

About the Park https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/caddo-lake
Caddo Lake State Park is located in East Texas on the Big Cypress Bayou and is the gateway to the unique Caddo Lake, a 27,000-acre cypress swamp ecosystem. It features a maze of slow-moving water, wetlands, and bayous, which are home to diverse wildlife, including alligators and many species of fish. The park itself has a history tied to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s, which built many of its historic cabins and pavilions using local materials.

About the Work
The park rangers would like us to remove bamboo and invasive species, using loppers and hand saws.

About Transportation
Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and within the site. Carpooling is encouraged, please contact other attendees on this trip to arrange your carpool.

About Lodging
We will be in screened shelters (2-4 people per shelter) in the state park, in the Squirrel Haven area. We will need some folks to camp in their tents on the screened shelter sites. Electricity and water at the sites. Showers at nearby bath house. RVs/Vans < 20 feet are allowed in the screen shelter parking spots. RVs > 20 feet will need to make reservations at an RV site.

About Meals
Participants bring their own breakfasts and lunches. For dinners, you and your cooking team (TBA) will feed the entire group one evening - this includes bringing and preparing the food, as well as dish patrol (washing pots/pans/etc.).

About the Schedule
For this trip we will most likely work Mon, Tues, Wed, and Thurs, then have Friday to pack up by 12 noon. Please schedule your exploration of the park Sunday when you arrive or Friday before you leave, or add on to your trip by making a separate reservation in the park. Canoe rental is available at the park.

TO SIGN UP:

1. RSVP on Meetup. The Meetup may show as full, but if you want to come, please sign up. There is usually plenty of turnover.
2. Contact information: Send your name, cell number, and email address to Dawn at [email protected].
3. Wait for approval from Trip Leaders, who might reach out for more details. Hiking and camping in rugged wilderness areas takes extraordinary preparation, so we strive to make sure this trip is right for you.
4. Complete the Medical Form https://tinyurl.com/SCMedicalForm2021. Scan and email the form also to [email protected] (preferred) or to Dawn Kidd’s mailing address below.
5. Read the Participation Agreement and fill out Page 1 https://tinyurl.com/SCSignUpSheet2020
6. Mail the forms to:

Dawn H. Kidd
809 Rock Creek Drive
Austin, TX 78746

VERY IMPORTANT - IF WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE ABOVE PAPERWORK WITHIN TEN DAYS OF YOUR SIGNING UP, YOU WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE TRIP.
Don’t sign up unless you are serious about attending.

YOU WILL NEED TO BRING (Packing List):
-Food and drink for all your breakfasts, snacks, and lunches.
-Mess kit (plate/bowl, utensils, napkin)
-Your cooking groups’ food, containers for leftovers
-Implements of sleeping (cot, sleeping bag, pillow, earplugs, etc.)
-Work gloves, kneeling pad, geologist hammer, trail tools (park might supply, but you can bring your own), eye protection (sunglasses)
-Flashlight
-Long pants, hat, close-toed shoes, clothes for the weather
-Personal prescriptions, first aid kit
-Water bottle
-Tweezers
-Sunscreen, bug spray

ASC supplies for group meals, brought by Trip Leaders:
-Large pots & pans
-Assorted bowls and cooking utensils, knives, cutting board
-Two burner camping cook stove with propane
-Dishwashing bins, soap, bleach, sponges, scrubbers