Mammoth Cave Restoration Camp

Go directly to the Mammoth Cave Restoration Camp Website for more info: www.restoremammoth.com

There is one big change this year that may affect some volunteers. The attendance for the camp remains capped at 45 volunteers; however, the National Park Service has advised that the bunkhouse now has an occupancy limit of 18 people. This is due to fire code regulations for structures that do not have a sprinkler system. There are 28 bunks for volunteers, between the bunkhouse and residence house. The new camp application asks for information about sleeping arrangements. As the applications come in, a bunk will be set aside for the first 28 people that request them; thereafter, the camp will only be available to those that camp out or make other arrangements. This is an unfortunate but unavoidable consequence of the fire code restrictions and I hope it will not discourage anyone from attending the camp.

I have been discussing this coming years restoration camps with the National Park Service (NPS). There will be some big changes at Mammoth Cave and some of these changes directly affect the camp:

3. I have been advised by the NPS that no more grant monies will be made available to the camp for reimbursing volunteer expenses. The camp currently has just enough funds to pay for the Nov. 2005 camp. There are several reasons that no more funds will be forthcoming to the camp, but the most pressing are: the NPS is faced with a massive backlog of maintenance and support projects that should get done and money is tight; the ongoing conflicts in Iraq/Afghanistan and the hurricane relief in the gulf states are taking quite a financial toll on Federal finances; and with the bridge demolition in the Echo River passage completed and the ecosystem restored there is no environmental hazard to establish a compelling need for a restoration grant.

4. The NPS has asked that a limit be placed on attendance for all camps. The summer camp will be capped at 45 volunteers; the cap will be 65 for the weekend camps. We will have a pre-signup for the "veteran" restoration volunteers before we open it up to anyone else. More info and sign up forms will be on the website www.restoremammoth.com..

Most volunteers that attend the camps say that the reimbursements are nice to receive, but are not a reason they attend. However, I know for some it is important to defray their costs. I hope to see all of you at future camps so that we can continue the good works that this camp is known for and enjoy the camaraderie that has developed among us over the years.

We all remember that Roy's history with the park service goes back many years...

Bringing back a time honored tradition, torch throwing, at least on the surface in a controlled environment.