CARLSBAD, NM - For two days last weekend, eight Boy Scouts and three adult chaperones from Troop 10 in Las Cruces, New Mexico volunteered at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Members from Troop 10 came to the park to help one of their fellow scouts earn the rank of “Eagle Scout” by clearing two-miles of trail in the Yucca Canyon area. The scouts worked for 15 hours, over the two days, clearing overgrowth on and along the trail and installing rock cairns used for back country trail marking.
“We really appreciate the scouts’ time and effort to travel to the park and volunteer their time clearing trails for our visitors who love to hike in the Chihuahuan Desert,” said Doug Neighbor, Carlsbad Caverns National Park superintendent. “With the scouts’ hard work, the trail will be easier to follow and maintain.”
The group was led by Carlsbad Caverns National Park Guide, Charlie Reed who is an Eagle Scout and has been involved with the scouting program for 18 years. “It was great to see these scouts working so hard to help their fellow member earn the highest rank in scouting and at the same time helping the National Park Service provide back country access to visitors who love to spend time outdoors,” said Reed.
For more information about the National Park Service’s Volunteers-in-Parks Program please visit https://www.nps.gov/getinvolved/volunteer.htm. To find out how you can volunteer at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Maggi Daly at 575-785-3132.
For more information on park regulations, visitation or park tours, call 575-785-2232 or visit www.nps.gov/cave. The park’s visitor center is open 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.