Volunteer Information

Calumet Setup

This is where it all starts: The starting chute! Signs! Lights! Snow! Be a part of what might be the most visible section of the race. We need volunteers to help set up all of the equipment necessary to kick off the race.

Calumet Start

If you want excitement, this is the job for you! Each musher will have 10 top canine athletes attached to their sled and these athletes want nothing more than to charge down the trail. They don't want to wait their turn. Teams leave one-at-a-time in two-minute intervals. It will take a team of at least six handlers to muscle each team of screaming dogs from the dog lot to the starting line and hold them back while the timer counts down to their appointed start time. Handling dog teams requires good physical fitness. There are also tasks that don't require fitness, including timing, crowd control, musher check in/check out, and musher equipment check.

Calumet Cleanup

Help us keep Mainstreet beautiful. We will need a crew to take down fences, lights, and signs as well as clean up the small amounts of debris that is likely to be left behind by the spectators.

Stage 1 Road Crossings

The dog teams will need to cross a number of roads including state highways and smaller backroads. Law requires all teams to stop at state highways if there is traffic - but try telling this to the dogs! We need teams of volunteers to catch the racing teams and hold them back if necessary. Because teams start 2 minutes apart there will likely be multiple teams arriving close together. This is a great spectator opportunity. Some of the road crossings may be in remote places at inconvenient times but bring a friend, light a bonfire, and make it a party! This is the Keweenaw!

Checkpoint Gay

This is for the night owls and early birds. All the race teams will arrive in Gay where they will stop for a 5-hour rest. We need volunteers to help chaperone the teams to their rest areas, haul water and straw for the four-legged athletes, and help with checkpoint chores. Please consider lending a hand - it will make a great excuse for a satisfying saturday afternoon nap!

Stage 2 Road Crossings

The dog teams will need to cross a number of roads including state highways and smaller backroads. Law requires all teams to stop at state highways if there is traffic - but try telling this to the dogs! We need teams of volunteers to catch the racing teams and hold them back if necessary. Because teams start 2 minutes apart there will be multiple teams arriving close together. This is a great spectator opportunity. Some of the road crossings may be in remote places at inconvenient times but bring a friend, light a bonfire, and make it a party! This is the Keweenaw!

Checkpoint Copper Harbor

Come to Copper Harbor for a fun-filled Saturday and also help the canine athletes bed down for a well deserved rest. Tasks include leading teams to their rest spots, helping with timing, straw and water.

Copper Harbor Start

If you want excitement, this is the job for you! Each musher will have 10 top canine athletes attached to their sled and these athletes want nothing more than to charge down the trail. They don't want to wait their turn. Teams leave one-at-a-time in two-minute intervals. It will take a team of at least six handlers to muscle each team of screaming dogs from the dog lot to the starting line and hold them back while the timer counts down to their appointed start time. Handling dog teams requires good physical fitness. There are also tasks that don't require fitness, including timing, crowd control, musher check in/check out, and musher equipment check.

Stage 3 Road Crossings

The dog teams will need to cross a number of roads including state highways and smaller backroads. Law requires all teams to stop at state highways if there is traffic - but try telling this to the dogs! We need teams of volunteers to catch the racing teams and hold them back if necessary. Because teams start 2 minutes apart there will be multiple teams arriving close together. This is a great spectator opportunity. Some of the road crossings may be in remote place but bring a friend, light a bonfire, and make it a party! This is the Keweenaw!

Calumet Finish

Catch the teams as they return from a 150-mile tour of the Keweenaw. We need helpers to escort the teams from the finish line to their waiting trucks and then, after the last team arrives, to dismantle the fences and finish line equipment.