We are in urgent need of volunteers on Saturday, March 4 from 8am to 4pm and on Saturday, March 11 from 8am to 4pm for the Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser and Maple Syrup Days at McCloud Nature Park. These are great individual or group volunteer opportunities!

An annual McCloud favorite, our Maple Syrup Days allow visitors a hands-on experience while discovering the rich, delicious history of maple sugaring. Learn how to tap a tree, watch a demonstration of the process as it used to be done in the pioneer days, and take a visit to our Sugar Shack to see how syrup is made today! You can enjoy the all-day pancake breakfast and sample the 100% all-natural McCloud Maple Syrup, plus you can purchase a bottle to take home!

Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

Volunteer:  2-hour+ shifts between 7am and 4pm. 

We need around 15 volunteers all day each day for the Pancake Breakfasts!  Volunteers will receive a free pancake meal. We need help all day both days mixing and flipping pancakes, serving breakfast items, busing tables, etc – all inside. Family and friends who wish to eat pancakes without volunteering can register in advance by clicking here (walk-ins are welcome but advance registration is strongly encouraged).

If this volunteer opportunity is for you, please email us at volunteer@hcparks.net. Applications to volunteer and background check authorization forms can be found by clicking here.

Maple Syrup Days (see optional training details below)

Volunteer:  2-hour+ shifts between 8am and 5pm. 

We need around 5+ volunteers all day each day for the Maple Syrup stations. Volunteers will receive a free pancake meal.

Non-teaching opportunities:  greeting visitors, directing visitors to stations, directing parking (if needed), and other general visitor-related tasks.  

Teaching opportunities: If you like teaching visitors of all ages, we need volunteers at each station that can explain how the Native Americans and early settlers made syrup, how the evaporator works, and explain how trees work and why sap runs. Guided hikes to look at maple trees, sap buckets, and general nature hike will also be offered. Written script outlines will be sent to volunteers in advance who indicate interest in teaching at the stations or hike. Stations and hike will have presentations up to every 20 minutes. The stations are outside so dress for the weather and mud.

If this volunteer opportunity is for you, please email us at volunteer@hcparks.net. Applications to volunteer and background check authorization forms can be found by clicking here.

Training: Maple Syrup Stations – Saturday, February 25, 10-11 am OR 1-2 pm

Want to see the stations and their presentations before your shift at Maple Syrup Days? Come to a session on Saturday, February 25 to walk through the stations and their presentations! You will have a chance to ask questions and get tips on how to present these topics! You will also have an opportunity to do a practice presentation. Please RSVP for one session by emailing volunteer@hcparks.net.

Thanks so much for your continued support! We cannot do these exciting events without your help!