Work WeekendsWork WeekendsIn addition to the regular Friday/Saturday work days, the WW&F holds three special work weekends and additional Friday sessions each year. The Winter work weekend is the Saturday through Monday ending on President's Day in February. The Spring work weekend is the weekend of the last Saturday in April, and encompasses Friday through Sunday. Summer work Fridays are in July and August. The Fall work weekend is the Friday through Monday ending in Columbus Day, in October.
You do not have to be a museum member to participate on a work week/weekend. All ages and abilities are welcome - there is always something to do.
Details on what's planned for each work weekend are posted on our website and on our forum a few weeks before the event. Typically the Fall work weekend is used to help expand our museum -- such as building new track or other construction projects. During the Winter weekend, we clear trees and other debris from future construction sites along the old railroad right-of-way or on the museum grounds in Sheepscot. We usually use the Spring work weekend for maintenance work, preparing the railroad for the coming summer season. The focus of the Summer work Fridays is to maintain the current right-of-way. On any work weekend, other jobs and tasks are completed depending on crew availability and the needs of the railroad.
Work usually begins early in the morning, between 7 and 8 AM, although people arrive at all times throughout the day. The Museum supplies its volunteers with lunch and supper during the Spring and Fall work weekends. The work usually ends each day between 5 and 6 PM.
For 2013:
The Winter work weekend was February 16 - 18.
The Spring work weekend was April 26 - 28.
The Summer work Fridays will be July 12 - August 30.
The Fall work weekend will be October 11 - 14.
For 2012:
The Winter work weekend was February 18 - 20.
The Spring work weekend was April 27 - 29 (also see this forum thread).
The Summer work Fridays were July 13 - August 31.
The Fall work weekend was October 5 - 8.
If you can't get enough of helping the WW&F, we also invite you to come by any Saturday. There are always plenty of ways to volunteer.