Mt Madonna County Park II 2026
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Project Pictures
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Project FlyerCovid Policy
Camp
Dog Policy
Dogs are welcome in camp and on some trails, but not in the work areas. Per park policy, all dogs must be kept on a leash of six feet or less during the day and confined overnight. Please only bring your dog if it is well-behaved, no aggressive behavior toward people or other dogs, and no excessive barking. We also ask that dog owners camp in the designated area.
Driving Directions
Mt. Madonna County Park is located at: 7850 Pole Line Rd, Watsonville, CA 95076
From the east (North of Gilroy):
- From US-101, take the Tenant Ave exit (exit 365)
- Turn right on Tennant Ave
- Turn left on Butterfield Blvd & continue onto Watsonville Road
- Turn right on CA-152 (Hecker Pass Hwy)
- Turn right on Pole Line Road
From the west:
- From CA-1, take the exit for CA-152 East
- Turn left on Pole Line Road
Once in the park:
- Remain on Pole Line Road (no need to stop at the entrance kiosk) & look for signs pointing you to the Arrowhead Group Camp.
- The Arrowhead Group Camp is about two miles past the entrance kiosk on the left. You’ll pass through the gate and head to Arrowhead Group camp site. Look for signs.
Carpool/Parking Information
Level of Effort
Project Fact Sheet
Fact SheetProject Schedule
Friday
5:00pm - Registration and camping open. DINNER IS NOT PROVIDED.
Saturday
7:30am - Registration, light breakfast, and lunch packing begin at Center Camp.
8:30 am – Morning greeting, announcements, stretching and safety talk.
9:00 am – Project begins.
12:30pm - Break for lunch on trail.
3:30 pm – Stop work and return to camp. Clean and store tools.
4:00 pm – Drinks, appetizers and socializing.
6:00 pm – Dinner.
Sunday
7:30am - Registration and lunch packing begin. Hot breakfast is served.
8:30 am – Morning greeting, announcements, stretching and safety talk.
9:00 am – Project begins.
11:30 am – Break for lunch on trail.
1:30pm - Stop work, clean tools, load tools into boxes and return to camp.
Things to Do Before or After the Project
What to Bring and Wear
- Sturdy shoes or boots with good tread. Ankle support will be important where we are building new trails. Sandals and open-toed shoes will not be permitted
- Water bottles or a water bladder that can hold at least 2 liters of water. (You will not be allowed on the trail without water.)
- Day pack to carry your water and lunch.
- Work gloves. (If you don’t have your own gloves, V-O-Cal will provide them. Please return them at the end of the project.)
- V-O-Cal provides all necessary tools, as well as training on tool use and safety.
- Sunglasses, hat and sunscreen.
- Insect repellent and allergy medicine (if you normally need these things when working outdoors).
- Reusable plate/bowl, eating utensils, and mug/cup.
- A change of clothes for each work day and for lounging at camp to minimize the spread of poison oak.
- Please come prepared for a variety of weather conditions (think layers!). Unless there is a serious storm predicted, we will work drizzle or shine.
- A tent (if you have the option to bring a smaller tent, please do!)
- A sleeping bag, sleeping pad and pillow.
- A flashlight or headlamp.
- A camp chair (if you don't want to sit on the ground).
- Other camping gear that makes you comfortable
Meals
- To minimize waste we ask that you bring your own reusable plates, coffee mug, cups and utensils. Hot water and soap are provided.
- A continental breakfast is served Saturday morning.
- Lunch is prepared before hitting the trail. You break for lunch on the trail around 12:30pm.
- Please arrive at camp by 7:40am to register, eat breakfast and prepare your lunch.
- Appetizers and beverages will be available after the work day on Saturday, usually around 4pm. Dinner will follow, usually around 5:30pm.
- Hot breakfast is served Sunday morning.
Hazards
SUN EXPOSURE | HYDRATION | HYPOTHERMIA Most of the work areas are fully shaded. However, please plan for sun protection, including sun hats, sun block and light long sleeve shirts. Please bring water bottles or a water bladder large enough to hold at least 2 liters of water. Drink plenty of water throughout the work day. If you feel tired or weak, let your crew leader know, and take a break.
POISON OAK There is a risk of exposure to poison oak at the work site. Have your crew leader point some out to you if you don’t know what it looks like. Clean with Tecnu (which we provide) after the work day and be cautious when handling your dirty clothes
TICKS | MOSQUITOES Mosquitoes could be active this time of year so bug spray and long sleeved, lightweight shirts are recommended. Ticks are always a hazard; light colored clothing makes them easier to spot when you check during and after the project.
SNAKES Snakes are present on the property. Use caution, especially when picking items up off the ground or moving rocks.
SHARP TOOLS Please listen to your crew leader’s tool safety talk and observe proper tool use throughout the day.
Volunteer Project Team
- V-O-Cal Executive Director Duane Sheets
- Project Team Lead Duane Sheets
- Technical Lead Rudi Boekamp
- Kitchen Lead | Chef Xavier Andrade
- Camp Manager Pete Duringer
- Crew Leader Manager Tomomi Yuasa
- Registration Lead Augusta Murphy
- Sat / Sun Stretch Lead Lauren Blanchard
- Photography Lily Brady | Anka Karewicz
- Flyer | Fact Sheet Lily Brady
- Outreach Duane Sheets | Lily Brady |Melinda Green
- Website Lisa Freeman | Geoff Clarke
- Tool Manager | Town Mayor Seth Little
- Food Shopping Duane Sheets | Tomomi Yuasa
- Warehouse Load | Truck Driver Curt Hutchings
Agency Partners
Santa Clara County Parks
Project Sponsors
Project Sponsor
Special thanks to Bay Area Barns and Trails (BABT) for their generous grants supporting V-O-Cal these past few years. BABT assists landowners and land managers with preservation and maintenance of publicly accessible Bay Area barns, stables, pastures, staging areas, horse camps, and trails.
Additional thanks to our In Kind Sponsors for this Project
Connoisseur Coffee | Tecnu | REI | Sidley Austin | Metro Mobile Communications | Adventure Medical Kits | Clif Bar
