Annual Pittock Staff BBQ and Awards
On a sunny afternoon at Pittock Conservation Area (PCA) on July 24th, our amazing team came together for the annual Staff Social BBQ—a well-deserved celebration of hard work, dedication, and team spirit.
The event featured a classic summer menu of juicy hamburgers, sizzling hot dogs prepared by master chefs Steve and Elijah, and a sweet treat of ice cream topped with fresh strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. It was a chance for staff to relax, share laughs, and enjoy each other's company away from the daily hustle of park operations.
The event was made extra special with the presence of Tracy Annet, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA)'s General Manager, along with other UTRCA staff. Their support and kind words reinforced how valued the Pittock team is throughout the organization.
But this social wasn't just about good food—it was also an opportunity to reflect on the important work being done at the park. We held an open discussion on safety precautions, highlighting some of the most common workplace hazzards and how to prevent them. Keeping each other safe is always a top priority, and it was encouraging to see how engaged and aware our team continues to be. Andrew and Kaitlin, our Health and Safety Representatives for Pittock and Kailee, UTRCA's Health and Safety Specialist, shared some health and safety tips to keep in mind for the summer and how to be safe in hot weather.
One of the highlights of the event was the Staff Awards presentation, where team members were recognized for their outstanding efforts and contributions. These small tokens of appreciation go a long way in showing our gratitude for the energy and commitment our staff bring to Pittock every single day. Three staff in particular were our recipients of the Pittock Employee of the Summer (PEOTS Awards). The PEOTS are selected and voted by staff for the staff at PCA. This year's awards were presented by Tracy Annet to Crystal, Colin, and Ethan. If you are around Pittock this season, please be sure to congratulate our 2025 award winners!
We were also excited to share some new and upcoming projects that will help improve both the park and staff experience. From infrastructure upgrades to enhanced programming, the future at Pittock is looking bright. Our very strong Seasonal Camper numbers are a wonderful reflection of our great camping and fun activities.
Throughout the day, Amy Bumbacco, UTRCA Communications and Marketing Specialist was working on a video for hiring, recruitment and promotional viewing pleasure. She was able to meet and interview all the PCA staff on what they do, how do they do it, and all the great learning opportunities that have been shown to them with their employment! Thanks Amy for your attendance!
A huge thank you to everyone who helped organize this memorable event, and an even bigger thank you to our incredible staff. Your hard work doesn't go unnoticed, and this BBQ was just one small way of saying how much you're appreciated.
Here's to a safe, successful, and sunny season ahead!
Steven Musclow, Superintendent, Pittock Conservation Area
