Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve
Sign Up Coming SoonSign Up Now!Project Background and Description
Project Pictures
Help recruit more volunteers! Download the project flyer here
Project FlyerCovid Policy
Camp
Driving Directions
From Fremont:
- Drive north on I-680 and exit at Calaveras Road (near the town of Sunol.)
- Turn right at the exit onto Calaveras Road.
- Proceed about four miles.
- Make a left turn onto Geary Road which leads directly into the park.
From the Oakland-Berkeley area:
- Drive east on I-580 to the junction with I-680.
- Take I-680 south.
- Exit at Calaveras Road/Highway 84, just south of the Sunol exit.
- At the bottom of the exit turn left onto Calaveras Road.
- Proceed about four miles.
- Make a left turn onto Geary Road which leads directly into the park.
From the Walnut Creek-Danville area:
- Drive south on I-680.
- Exit at Calaveras Road/Highway 84, just south of the Sunol exit.
- At the bottom of the exit turn left onto Calaveras Road.
- Proceed about four miles.
- Make a left turn onto Geary Road which leads directly into the park.
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 - Check in, light breakfast and lunch-packing begin ~ Please arrive by 7:45 AM
8:30 am – Morning greeting, announcements, stretching and safety talk.
9:00 am – Depart from camp and head to work site.
12:30pm - Break for lunch on trail.
3:00 pm – Stop work and return to camp. Clean tools.
4:00 pm – Snacks, cold drinks and beer.
6:00 pm – Dinner.
Saturday
7:30am - Breakfast, lunch prep and registration ~ Please arrive by 7:45 AM. Hot breakfast is served.
8:30 am – Morning greeting, announcements, stretching and safety talk.
9:00 am – Depart from camp and head to work site.
1:00pm - Stop work and return to camp. Clean tools and load tools into boxes.
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
HYDRATION | SUN EXPOSURE | 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.
MOSQUITOES | TICKS 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 might be 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 Cathy Moyer
- Project Team Lead Joseph Cavaness
- Technical Advisor: Dmitry Nechayev
- Camp Manager Pete Duringer
- Kitchen Lead Francesca Verdier
- Crew Leader Manager Chris Moen
- Registration Augusta Murphy
- Outreach Lily Brady
- Website Lisa Freeman | Geoff Clarke
- Tool Manager Cavine Johnson
- Food Shopping & Prep Chris Fishel | Cathy Moyer
- Warehouse Load | Truck Driver Duane Sheets
Agency Partners
East Bay Regional Parks District
Project Sponsors
Season Sponsor
Special Thanks to Bay Area Barns and Trails for their generous grant supporting the 2025 V-O-Cal Project Season. BABT assists landowners and land managers with preservation and maintenance of publicly accessible Bay Area barns, stables, pastures, staging areas, horse camps, and trails.