On most lakes, rafts are floated and maintained by volunteers, in coordination with LPC’s small band of field staff, who take the lead with rafts on the state’s larger lakes (Winnipesaukee, Squam, Massabesic, etc.). That puts a premium on team work. Throughout the state, raft sites will ideally have a volunteer team that consists of:

1) Multiple households: Even if one person or household is usually the lead, it’s good to have backup to ensure that the raft is easily maintained and floated each year. 

2) A point person who is responsible for communicating with LPC annually, including requesting any needed replacement materials for the raft and confirming that the raft has been floated in the spring and retrieved in late summer or early fall.

3) At least one member with access to a motorboat or canoe to use to float and retrieve rafts.

LPC staff often help with raft floating the first year, and then hand off the annual routine to volunteers, with occasional support to fix or troubleshoot, as needed.