Despite the biting cold, a pack of volunteers recently braved the chill and undertook a work day at Deer Lake to prepare the site for its usual contingent of campers and an expected influx of new users as the site is now a recreational area open to the public. The 255-plus acre reserve was saved from development earlier this year thanks to the efforts of staff, volunteers, and local and state officials who united to preserve what many environmentalists cited as one of the most important and pristine ecological areas in southern Connecticut.

De facto Facilities Manager and Pathfinders Board member Tom Feiner.said the workday was hugely successful and praised volunteers for their efforts.

“This is how we generate all the wood that gets at camp during the weekends," Feiner said. "There are three different cabins that require heat in order for people to stay there, and this is how it’s done. When you get a good work party together, it makes it all easier.”

Feiner said there are several additional workdays scheduled over the coming months to deal with painting, maintenance, and other upkeep.

“We will have several work parties during the year, obviously painting buildings…We could have 10 people cutting every day, day in and day out, and still not take care of the wood on the ground right now. There are a lot of trees that have been taken down due to a danger factor and quite a number that have blown down in storms,” Feiner said. “We were really happy with the turnout of people and we do have commitments from these volunteers for future work parties.”

The site, now open to the public for hiking and recreational activities, is ready for a new chapter in its history, Feiner said.

“The public can come hiking anytime they want. If you are coming with a larger group of people, we ask that you check in with us and make sure there isn’t an event because we can’t handle a huge influx of people all at once,” said Feiner.

A new website is coming soon, according to Feiner, that will allow visitors to check out if events are going on, allow residents to reserve sites, and find out information on public events. Feiner said that the camp has been approached in the past for large-capacity festivals and concerts, but the current plan is to not book large public events.

Private and corporate events will be encouraged, but don’t look for large festivals or public events at Deer Lake, said Feiner.

The camp also has a world-class kitchen and can support a wide variety of private events.