The training begins with a general orientation at 1 pm, which is applicable for all volunteers, both experienced and new. This training is a once-a-year chance for volunteers to hear the latest park news from park staff. The 1 pm general training will be followed by 2 pm breakout sessions for Adopt-A-Trail, Adopt-A-Beach, Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, Preventative Search and Rescue, and the Track Chair program.

For those unable to attend, we will be streaming and recording the general session. More information on this option will be available later.

Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes volunteers logged over 11,000 hours in 2023 through twelve Friends organized programs including Adopt-A-Beach, Adopt-A-Trail, and Adopt-A-River. Thanks to the efforts of dedicated Friends volunteers, 2,360 pounds of trash was collected by Adopt-A-Beach volunteers, and 2,905 hours were logged on the Sleeping Bear Dunes trails by volunteers keeping visitors safe and cleaning the park trails. The Preventive Search and Rescue team made over 30,000 contacts with visitors making sure they are prepared for distance hikes within the park. Friends volunteers also maintain the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail; grooming it for cross-country skiing in the winter and blowing off debris, fixing erosion, and removing downed trees during the hiking and biking seasons. More information on volunteer opportunities with the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, can be found at friendsofsleepingbear.org.