Opportunities From: Calvert Stewards

This is a REQUIRED  training to participate in the 2026 Maple Sap Collection and Trail Monitor program. If you are a family group, only 1 adult per family required to attend the training to get qualified. Children under age 16 should not attend the training.

Volunteers who take this training will be expected to commit to at least 2 shifts during the season. Shifts are flexible over a 2 day period and can be done at any time during park open hours.

During the training you will learn how collect and store the maple sap from our tapped maple trees along the Sugar Bush Trail. You will also learn how to safely monitor and maintain the trail and what types of issues to look out for.

The collected sap will be boiled into maple syrup later in the season.

Training is only open to adults or youth ages 16+ (younger children may accompany you on your collection days, but should not attend the training).

Training is Sunday, January 25 from 1pm to 3pm.

Sap collection and trail monitoring will involve outdoor physical labor including carrying heavy buckets, walking and working on uneven and steep terrain and in possibly icy,  wet or muddy conditions. 

For questions...Jessy Oberright jessy.oberright@calvertcountymd.gov

Volunteers are needed to help with our 2026 Kings Landing maple tapping season from late January through mid-March, 2026. Shifts are flexible over a 2-day span and can occur anytime during the park open hours.

Volunteers will walk the trail, check the taps and collect any sap that has accumulated for storage until syrup making begins. Volunteers will also monitor the trail, do light trail work such as moving downed branches, and report any damage to trails, signs or taps to the park staff. This opportunity is open to individuals ages 16 and up and family groups with older children. This volunteer opportunity will require walking over uneven, possibly muddy terrain up to 1+ mile, working on steep inclines, carrying heavy buckets and exposure to potentially cold or wet weather. 

Volunteers ages 16+ will be required attend a mandatory training session to learn how to monitor the maple taps along the Sugar Bush Trail at Kings Landing, and collect and store the sap for syrup making later in the season.  The link to register for the training sessions is here: https://calvertstewards.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=1164973

Volunteers may sign up for shifts once they complete the training. Shifts are first come-first served. 

 

 

This opportunity is suitable for an organized group (ex: scout, church, school group, etc.) looking to perform a service project in the park. The project is removing old boardwalk along the Cocktown Creek trail and replacing it with a slightly elevated walkway. A total of approximately 110 feet of boardwalk needs to be constructed. This project can be divided into smaller projects as needed.

Duties include:

Fundraising as needed for tools and supplies (park may provide some support) Removing old boardwalk Building new boardwalk following park-provided specifications

Schedule: Interested group should contact Park Manager for a site visit and to schedule desired workday.

Materials and Equipment: Group will be responsible for acquiring building materials and tools. Volunteers should bring work gloves, water bottles, long pants, closed toe shoes, and lunch/snacks as needed.
Note: Park may provide some of the needed lumber.

Special Skills: Most work will be performed outside under varying weather conditions. Frequent exposure to weather and temperature extremes, noise, dust, and dirt should be expected. Work performed requires the exertion of moderate to heavy physical effort and may involve lifting and moving objects up to 50 pounds.

Work also includes: Exposure to poison ivy, ticks, mosquitos, snakes, spiders and other wildlife.

For any additional information, please contact Jenny Yoder at jennifer.yoder@calvertcountymd.gov