File photo Volunteers prepare a road crossing at the 2025 CopperDog event.

CALUMET – CopperDog is just two weekends away and Krissy Kovachich Tepsa, Volunteer Coordinator and Board of Directors member, has a message for the community: “We need you!”

There are a multitude of people working behind the scenes to help CopperDog become a reality every year, but when it comes to race day, volunteers are the only way the event actually happens. Possible jobs for volunteers include crossing guards, timers, bag checkers, dog handlers, snow fence installers, and helping with the banquet.

There are nearly 600 jobs for volunteers over the three-day CopperDog event which takes place on Feb. 27 – March 1 this year. At present, Friday has 81% of the required jobs filled, Saturday has 56% of the required jobs filled, and Sunday is only at 46%.

According to Tepsa, “the road crossings are the big safety issue and what we really need help with. Depending on what time and day people are available, there are a lot of options. We need to get those filled. If we don’t have a safe race, we don’t have a race.”

For those who might not know what that job entails, Tepsa said, “Road crossings are basically guiding the teams, the dogs and the mushers, across the road safely. We, as volunteers, cannot stop traffic. If police are there, they can, but we aren’t authorized to do so. Road crossing guards will keep an eye on traffic and give signals to the mushers if it is safe to cross.”

“During the day,” she continued, “we have a red/green banner to let mushers know if they need to stop or go. At night, we have flashlights that the motion will tell the mushers the same thing.”

Each of the road crossings needs a team of people, not just one individual. “We need four to six people at the smaller crossings, but 12 or more at the larger ones,” said Tepsa. There are also some places where the racing line crosses snowmobile trails and crossing guards are needed at those positions as well. “Several remote locations exist for the course and we need some people who are willing to get out there on their snowmobiles to help us with the crossings.”

With many elements moving to Laurium this year, Tepsa said she is “hoping there are more Laurium residents who will step up and help since the event is ending there this year.” Both the CopperPull and CopperDash events, taking place on Saturday in Laurium, are in need of volunteers.

For the CopperPull, Tepsa said, “Any kids that want to come out, we’ll put them on a sled, hook that up to a harness and they’ll be mini-mushers! We need help getting the kids ready safely and stopping the dogs before they go beyond the 75 yards of the track. These Saturday events are the only times that you can bring your dog out to CopperDog too!”

Everyone is welcome to volunteer throughout the weekend. “It’s a great way to enjoy being outside in the Keweenaw,” said Tepsa. “You can avoid the winter doldrums and support the Keweenaw, local business, and this great event. Get out with your family, friends, coworkers, whoever and do some volunteering!”

“Those who go out the first time, usually email me later saying they’re hooked,” added Tepsa, encouraging people who have thought about it in the past but haven’t volunteered yet to give it a try.

“They love it, and they are looking forward to doing it again. Plus, volunteering is just good overall! This event draws so many people and so much money to this area, it is great to give back to them.”

“If you are someone who would volunteer if you didn’t have to go outside,” said Tepsa, “we have inside jobs that we need help with too, especially with the banquet on Sunday evening. We always need help setting up, serving, and cleaning up from that event.”

For those who can go above and beyond in their volunteering, Tepsa added, “everyone who does 5 or more duties throughout the weekend will get a free banquet ticket! Or, tickets are still available for purchase even if you can’t make five shifts. It is great to have volunteers there to meet the mushers and the board so we can thank all of you as well.” The awards banquet is at Sacred Heart Church in Calumet on Sunday starting at 3pm, and tickets are $25.

Everyone who volunteers does need to sign a waiver and attend training. According to Tepsa, “Training is on Friday, February 20th, from 5:30 – 7:30pm in the Multipurpose room of the Calumet High School. It is also going to be livestreamed on the CopperDog YouTube page. If you can’t make it, you can stream it live and if you miss the training, you can watch it on the page where it stays posted once we’re done.”

“The first hour of training is inside and for everyone, and the second hour is outside for the dog handlers,” Tepsa added. “If you miss the training, don’t worry. We get those groups together before hand on the day of their volunteering and lead them through what they need to know. Anyone who misses the scheduled training, you can still absolutely volunteer and help us out.”

For more information, sign up for volunteering, sign the volunteer waiver, and purchase tickets to the banquet, visit their website at CopperDog.org.