National Volunteer Week

This week (April 12-18) is National Volunteer Week, when organizations and institutions across the country celebrate their volunteers and the spirit of service. As a volunteer-run organization, every week is volunteer week at the Mazamas, but we're taking some extra time this week to share some extra love with our volunteers. We love Mazama volunteers because they ...

Go the extra mile – Literally! Just this week, our volunteers are logging 1,100 foot-miles leading hikes for BCEP, Trail Trips and the 20s&30s Mazamas group.



20s&30s Mazamas hike at Silver Falls State Park, Photo by Sándor Lau

Have a great sense of adventure – Recently, our newest climb leader, Leora Gregory, tied the knot with her sweetie, Jay Avery, on the summit of Mt. Hood.

 

Summit kiss, Photo by Candi Cook

Are kind and nurturing – From helping new climbers ease off a belay ledge for their first rappel; to tenderly planting baby trees to re-establish habitat, Mazama volunteers put a ton of love and caring into their work.

BCEP Student Rappels at Horsethief, Photo by Steve Heikkila

Volunteers planting saplings along the Sandy River, Photo by Corinne Handelman

Love to have fun – What keeps volunteers coming back year after year is all the fun they have while volunteering. There’s plain silly fun,

Honey Badgers on Mt. Hood, Photo by Benjamin Grandy

and then there’s “Type II” fun

Blustery day on Table Mountain, Photo by Craig Karls

Provide an important community service – Our volunteers support Mazama classes, programs and activities; they also do important work to preserve and protect the places we play.

Rebolting at Broughton Bluff, Photo by Adam Baylor

Don't mind getting dirty - Let's face it, we all became mountaineers because we like to play in the mud!

Trail Tending is dirty business, Photo by Kati Mayfield

Thanks to over 600 volunteers each year giving 110%, the Mazamas is able to provide high quality, low-cost mountaineering education, activities and community events. Thank you, thank you, a million times thank you to our volunteers.