Opportunities From: Get Connected

Su Casa Hispanic Center, a program of Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio, is partnering with the Hamilton County 513 Relief Bus to host a community resource event designed to support local families.

The event will provide access to essential community resources, health services, and supportive programs that promote the well-being and stability of individuals and families. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with service providers, learn about available assistance programs, and access valuable health and community support services in one convenient location.

This event reflects our shared commitment to strengthening the community and ensuring that families have access to the resources they need to thrive.

Volunteer Information

Language Requirement

Professional or fluent bilingual Spanish/English skills are required for all volunteer roles. Strong interpretation skills are especially important for volunteers assisting with medical and social service interpretation.

Outdoor Attire

Because the event will be held entirely outdoors in the parking lot, volunteers should check the weather forecast and dress appropriately. Comfortable clothing, layers (if needed), sunscreen, hats, and closed-toe shoes are highly recommended.

Food & Drinks

Volunteers should plan to bring their own lunch, snacks, and beverages for the day. While some light snacks and refreshments may be available on-site, volunteers are encouraged to come prepared to stay comfortable throughout their shift.

Help us create a welcoming and supportive experience for the families we serve. Your bilingual communication skills and commitment to the community are essential to the success of this event.

Looking for a certified plumber to volunteer at M.A.S.H. (Military And Service Heroes) by installing piping and a deep sink into the kitchen area to help us serve meals for our veterans during special holiday potlucks.  This is a one-time event that will require running new piping approximately 20 feet and connecting to a deep sink.  M.A.S.H. provides food and services to our Military Active Duty, Veterans, their families and surviving spouses.

M.A.S.H. (Military And Service Heroes) is looking for a volunteer certified electrician to install some outlets in our warehouse for our large freezer and refrigerator that supports food that is provided to military active duty, veterans, their families and surviving spouses in central Ohio.   This will require putting in new wire and heavy duty outlets that can support these large appliances in order for us to keep donated meat, chicken, cookies, vegetables, bread and other items frozen and to hold milk, butter, cheese and other perishable items cold for distribution to the veterans in our community.  This is a one-time event whenever available to provide the service.

We need your help to keep great books accessible to communities 24/7. Visit Little Free Libraries in your community to distribute books! 

We can suggest where to look for free or inexpensive books, or if you already have some, you can share those too. You can find book-sharing boxes near you using our world map or free mobile app. Volunteers over 18 anywhere in the U.S. where there are Little Free Libraries can register for this opportunity. 

Register on our website to get started. If it's your first time signing up with Team LFL, you will be prompted to create an account in our volunteer hub. Once you sign up, you will get access to tips & resources that you review independently online. Our Little Free Library staff can answer your questions by email. You can share books whenever it works for you.  

This is a great opportunity for solo volunteers looking for something flexible to fit their schedule, or for parents looking for a volunteer activity they can do with kids. 

Purpose: By keeping Little Free Libraries full of books, you are helping to build community, inspire readers, and expand book access. 

Responsibilities:

Time required: You set your own schedule. It could be a one-time project or a regular book distribution schedule.

How we can support you: We'll help you start with some online training, and we will suggest sources for books.

Qualifications:

Questions: You can contact the Community Engagement Manager to ask questions. 

This Shadow Experience opportunity is for those volunteers in training to serve as school program volunteers. You will be partnered with a qualified and experienced volunteer and/or Staff Lead during this shadow experience to observe, learn, and practice the skills of a school program volunteer.

Impact

School Program volunteers help build access, comfort, convenience, and safety into our school field trips. Those who support the school program field trips allow staff to extend the opportunities for school groups to get outside into a living classroom and connect STEM standards to real situations. Volunteers help make it possible for kids and teachers to develop a stronger connection to nature by making it easy to experience the outdoors in fun activities.

Growing Gardeners Field Trip

School group size:  KB Child Development Center

20 preK children,  4 chaperones

Growing Gardeners is an interactive school field trip throughout the season at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, engaging young learners in a variety of activities and topics such as soil science, plant identification, guided nature hikes, and basic gardening tasks. Volunteers will help with groups of children in sensory exploration in nature and be a part of inspiring future generations of gardeners!

Tasks 

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual, long-term volunteers, ages 18 and up who have qualified as School Program Volunteer.  Simply click the blue RESPOND button to sign up or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer. This opportunity is available for OSUE Master Gardener service hours.

***If you missed the training session but are interested in responding to this opportunity, email volunteer.services@metroparks.org to review the training materials and schedule shadow experiences.

Additional Notes

Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark. Volunteers should park and meet staff at Skeeter's Garden.  Volunteers are scheduled to arrive 1/2 hour before the school arrives for a brief orientation, review of stations, and to gather supplies needed.  

Cancellation:  If you need to cancel a shift at the last minute or are running late, please contact your Staff Lead at the provided number.

Environment & Physical Demands: This program takes place outdoors - Please be aware of outdoor exposure risks (i.e. sun, poison ivy, insects, etc.). Volunteers should be aware of seasonal allergies (i.e., grass, pollen, bees, etc.), and may participate in some bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects of 15lbs or more. Volunteers may lead a group over uneven terrain and may be walking (1-to 3-mile hikes) during this opportunity.

Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear their MetroParks name badge and t-shirt,  long pants, closed-toe shoes, and have their favorite teaching aids, water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray. 

Learn more about Programming opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this/these opportunities:

Program Support

School Program volunteers help build access, comfort, convenience, and safety into our school field trips. Those who support the school program field trips allow staff to extend the opportunities for school groups to get outside into a living classroom and connect STEM standards to real situations. Volunteers enable more individualized support for first-time learners and create an inclusive skill-building environment. Volunteers help make it possible for kids and teachers to develop a stronger connection to nature by making it easy to experience the outdoors in fun activities.

Growing Gardeners Field Trip

School group size:  KB Child Development Center

20 preK children,  4 chaperones

Growing Gardeners is an interactive school field trip throughout the season at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, engaging young learners in a variety of activities and topics such as soil science, plant identification, guided nature hikes, and basic gardening tasks. Volunteers will help with groups of children in sensory exploration in nature and be a part of inspiring future generations of gardeners!

Tasks 

Eligibility: This opportunity is open to individual, long-term volunteers, ages 18 and up who have qualified as School Program Volunteer.  Simply click the blue RESPOND button to sign up or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer. This opportunity is available for OSUE Master Gardener service hours.

***If you missed the training session but are interested in responding to this opportunity, email volunteer.services@metroparks.org to review the training materials and schedule shadow experiences.

Additional Notes

Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark. Volunteers should park and meet staff at Skeeter's Garden.  Volunteers are scheduled to arrive 1/2 hour before the school arrives for a brief orientation, review of stations, and to gather supplies needed.  

Cancellation:  If you need to cancel a shift at the last minute or are running late, please contact your Staff Lead at the provided number.

Environment & Physical Demands: This program takes place outdoors - Please be aware of outdoor exposure risks (i.e. sun, poison ivy, insects, etc.). Volunteers should be aware of seasonal allergies (i.e., grass, pollen, bees, etc.), and may participate in some bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects of 15lbs or more. Volunteers may lead a group over uneven terrain and may be walking (1-to 3-mile hikes) during this opportunity.

Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear their MetroParks name badge and t-shirt,  long pants, closed-toe shoes, and have their favorite teaching aids, water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray. 

Learn more about Programming opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this/these opportunities:

Program Support

Get ready to roll up your sleeves and help care for a truly special landscape. Volunteers on this project support restoration gardening work on the historic Aullwood Rock Hillside, helping preserve a garden shaped by John and Marie Aull and guided by original photographs and Marie’s journals. This hands-on work plays an important role in maintaining the character and beauty of this unique hillside garden.

Horticulture at Five Rivers MetroParks creates, maintains, and preserves green space and habitats for pollinators and native plants, as well as educates visitors on sustainable gardening practices and local food production.  Gardening volunteers support the Horticulture and Outdoor Connections staff in a variety of gardening tasks. 

Under the supervision of the Staff Lead, support and assist with the following tasks:

Do you enjoy sharing Clark County’s rich history and heritage with others? Then consider volunteering as a Gallery Docent!

Gallery Docents can work a routine shift at our front desk to offer tours to museum guests as they come in or our docents can work with scheduled tours. 

The Crabill Homestead is located on 2800 Croft Road in Buck Creek State Park. Our docents give tours of the household, which was built by David and Barbara Crabill in the early 19th century. 

Do you enjoy working with the public and helping others find their way? Our Front Desk Associates make sure our visitors have an enriching experience at the Heritage Center. 

Front Desk volunteers typically work a single 2-hour block per week, but we can be flexible with your schedule. We typically try to have 2 people (maximum 3) working the front desk at one time. Please contact Donna Lewis for more details on when we need front desk coverage. 

Share your sunshine by visiting with Hospice patients who are often lonely and without the comfort of immediate family.  Our patients benefit so much from warm smiles, pleasant conversations, and gentle hand holding.  It's easy to share music/nature sounds on your smart phone, read books/poetry, play guitar/Sing, watch TV, join a patient for dinner or just provide a compassionate presence.  We provide free comprehensive training and support a long your journey.  Let people know they matter.  Your smile and presence will mean so much to our patients and families!

Benefits for you:

You can:  Make a difference in your community, be part of the hospice team, and enjoy a flexible volunteer schedule. A few hours a week can make a big difference to someone nearing the end of life!  

As a docent at America’s Packard Museum, you play a vital role in creating a welcoming and memorable experience for our guests. Docents greet visitors, assist with admissions, operate the museum gift shop, provide directions, and share the fascinating history behind our collection of Packard automobiles and memorabilia. Through your enthusiasm and knowledge, you help bring the stories of Packard and America’s automotive heritage to life for visitors of all ages.

► You can volunteer for as many shifts a month as fits your schedule - whether you can only work one day or want to cover multiple! We will work with you based on your availability. 

► Our Summer hours are Tuesday-Sunday from 12-5pm. Docents are asked to arrive at 11:30am and may sometimes need to stay until 5:30pm to wrap up. 

Whether you are a lifelong car enthusiast or simply enjoy connecting with people, our docents help preserve and share the legacy of Packard with the community.

Our Outdoor Recreation team creates a learning environment that helps individuals enjoy the outdoors through fun and safe activities. The MetroParks Trails Challenge is a great way to explore the region's trails while staying active outdoors. Participants can complete the challenge on their own schedule and at their own pace, choosing the trails they prefer. Are you a volunteer who enjoys exploring MetroParks and a variety of trails?  Our recreation team, along with the support of volunteers, provides personalized attention during scheduled hikes, enhancing the experience for everyone involved. Volunteers help individuals seeking to enhance their physical and mental well-being while connecting with nature and embracing an active outdoor lifestyle. Join us as a program support volunteer to help connect participants with nature, embrace an active outdoor lifestyle, and meet others with similar interests. This opportunity will be at starting in Brookville by the Dull Woods Conservation Area and Golden Gate Park, and hiking the Wolf Creek Trail (2.1 miles).  

Impact

Volunteers help build access, comfort, convenience, and safety into our programs for all interested in learning.  They enable more individualized support for first-time learners and create a better skill-building environment. Volunteers help people make a stronger connection to nature by making it easy to experience the outdoors in fun activities.

Tasks

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual,  long-term, and short-term volunteers, ages 16 and up.   

Additional Notes

Learn more about Programming opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House. 

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider these opportunities:  

Program Support

Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty? Join us at Possum Creek MetroPark for a fun-filled volunteer opportunity in the Demonstration Garden! The Demonstration Gardens provide produce to those in need throughout Dayton and the Miami Valley. Our education staff needs your help in maintaining the gardens and flower beds at the farm. Together, we'll make the Possum Creek Demonstration Garden a beautiful and inspiring place for programming, school tours, and park patrons of all ages!

Impact

Horticulture at Five Rivers MetroParks creates, maintains, and preserves green space and habitats for pollinators and native plants, as well as educates visitors on sustainable gardening practices and local food production.  Gardening volunteers support the Horticulture and Outdoor Connections staff in a variety of gardening tasks. 

Tasks  

Under the supervision of the Staff Lead, volunteers will support and assist with the following:

Eligibility: This opportunity is open to individuals, groups, public, long-term, and short-term volunteers, ages 14 and up.

Additional Notes:

​ Learn more about Garden opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House. 

A PLACE for YOU is joining us at our Park Open House opportunities and sharing your love of MetroParks!  Program Support volunteers will assist our staff during this new series of programs designed to help visitors of all ages explore and discover our parks and the many fun activities they can enjoy.

Impact

Volunteers just like YOU ensure that our program participants can learn, grow, and connect with nature through a variety of high-quality, nature-based programming offered in our parks. Volunteers help build access, comfort, convenience, and safety into our programs for all interested in learning and exploring.

Tasks

Eligibility

This is an opportunity for individual Long-Term and Short-Term volunteers who are 16 and older.

Additional Notes

Learn more about Programming opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275, or join us at a Volunteer Open House

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks!  Consider these opportunities:

Program Support

Of the 265 miles of water trail our region offers, Five Rivers MetroParks manages nearly 39 miles. The 185-acre Eastwood Lake and many smaller lakes and ponds in the Miami Valley are home to many great paddling opportunities. Paddling a kayak, canoe, stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or other paddle craft is a great way to explore nature and enjoy the region's various water features. Five Rivers MetroParks offers a variety of paddling programs to help the public connect to our region's many waterways. Led by expert staff, these programs provide an opportunity to learn basic paddling skills and safety while on the water.

Impact

Program Support volunteers are critical in ensuring we can provide high-quality, engaging programming like these to the public. These volunteers assist with a variety of tasks including set up, tear down, registration, and program education. This particular volunteer opportunity will support the fitting of life jackets and assist participants in and out of boats at Try Paddlesports, a beginning-level paddling program offered on calm waters within our Five Rivers MetroParks. 

Tasks

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual,  long-term, and short-term volunteers, ages 16 and up.   

Additional Notes

Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Eastwood MetroPark. Volunteers should park and meet the staff at the grassy spot by Blue Lake. Volunteers are scheduled to arrive 30 minutes before the beginning of the program.  The staff lead will orient volunteers to the program, and review how to safely and efficiently assist participants in and out of the boats.  Please review this video on fitting a life jacket before coming to your shift: Appropriate fitting of a Life Jacket.  Staff will review the correct life jacket fitting at the beginning of each shift. 

Environment & Physical Demands: This program takes place outdoors.  Please be aware of outdoor exposure risks (i.e. sun, poison ivy, insects, etc.). Volunteers should be aware of seasonal allergies (i.e., grass, pollen, bees, etc.), and will participate in some bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects of 15lbs or more. 

Learn more about Programming opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.  

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this/these opportunities:

Program Support for Outdoor Recreation

Volunteers will engage families in this game where they will explore the different phases of the water cycle.  This activity station is a part of the A Place for You summer programming.  Participants at the station will also be able to make a bracelet to represent the water cycle and be a memory keepsake in this unique program opportunity. 

Volunteers contribute their time and talents, adding excitement and perspective to these family-friendly activities,  enhancing the visitor experience. and creating a more engaging program.  Program Support Volunteers are welcome and can participate in various entry-level opportunities to support our programs—typically, no expert knowledge is required. However, volunteers who support this station should enjoy working directly with children and families.

Impact

Volunteers enable us to accomplish so much more by lending a hand in simple activities, allowing demonstrators to take a break, or talking with the visitors about the activities while allowing the tasks to be completed.

Tasks

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual Long-Term volunteers, ages 18 and up. 

 Additional Notes

Learn more about the Programming opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page!   Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this opportunity:

Shadow Experience: Historic Interpreter

Program Support

Small Farm & Food Fest celebrates both historic and modern farming, gardening, homesteading, and food preparation through hands-on experiences and engaging demonstrations. Historic Interpreter volunteers welcome visitors into the past by sharing stories, demonstrating historic skills, and helping guests discover how 19th-century farming and homesteading practices continue to inspire sustainable living today. Whether you're leading a demonstration, interpreting life on the farm, or answering visitors' questions, you'll create memorable experiences that connect people of all ages with our agricultural heritage.

Impact

Volunteers represent what living in the 1880s might have been like and help visitors make a stronger connection to the history of Carriage Hill and experience life on an 1880s working farm. This opportunity will focus on historical farming, gardening, homesteading, and food preparation information.

Tasks

House Interpreter: Interpreting the house, and engaging the public in some of the board games. Act as host for the event, and encourage guests to see all the activities happening at the event.  

Heirloom Vegetable Display/Heirlooms Seeds Giveaway: at the Heirloom/Kitchen Garden-Interpreting the vegetable display and discussing heirloom vegetables/gardening. Passing out free seeds.

Exotic Fruit Stand and the Heirloom/ Kitchen Garden: Interpreting the exotic fruit stand and giving out samples of bananas.

Canned Goods Display/Canning + Preservation Information: at the Daniel Arnold House Yard-Interpreting the canned goods display for the fair and discussing modern canning methods with participants.

Textile Tent/Hands-on Demonstration: at the Daniel Arnold House Yard-Interpreting a textile display for the fair and engaging the public in textile-related skills, including Hand sewing, basic knitting, and spinning.

Rope Making Demonstration: Adjacent to the woodshop-Interpreting rope making to the public and making a foot-long piece of rope for kids.

Children's Activities and Family Area: at the Historic Farm in Front of the House-Volunteers will help demonstrate and interpret the various games and activities.

Woodworking for Beginners: at the Woodshop-support the interpreting of the purpose of the woodshop and woodworking to the public. Assisting the Historic Woodworker in interpreting the basic skills being demonstrated.

Blacksmithing Basics: at the Blacksmith Shop-support interpreting the blacksmith shop and blacksmithing to the public. Assisting the Historic Blacksmith in interpreting the basic skills being demonstrated.

Eligibility

 This opportunity is open to individual, long-term volunteers, ages 16 and up, who have qualified as Historic Interpreters.  

Additional Notes

Learn more about Programming opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this/these opportunities:

Carriage Hill Farm Chores

Program Support

Do you have some sewing, knitting, crocheting, weaving, or other textile skills you are willing to share? Join us at MetroParks as we breathe new life into fiber arts and textile skills! We're seeking enthusiastic volunteers to help us create, maintain, and repair essential items at our historic farm and other MetroParks facilities. This is your chance to put your expertise to good use while making a positive impact in the community. If you have experience in any textile craft, we invite you to share your skills with us. Don’t worry if you're still learning—there will be plenty of opportunities to grow your abilities alongside fellow enthusiasts during our workdays.

Each week will bring new and exciting projects as we build a vibrant community of textile volunteers. We’ll conduct a skills assessment at the start of each project to tailor opportunities to everyone’s strengths and interests. Together, we can preserve and celebrate these invaluable arts! Join us in making a difference, and let’s create something beautiful together!

Volunteers will support efforts on the historic farm by making the textile materials needed for the interpretive team of staff and volunteers to accurately represent what living on an 1880s farm might have been like.

Under the supervision of the assigned Staff Lead, volunteers will

This opportunity is open to individual, long-term, and short term volunteers, ages 16 and up, who have completed the textile qualification. Learn more about our types of service here.

Learn more about  Skilled Trades  opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.  Visit the Historic Interpreter page in our Training Library to see what training is required to become part of the Historic Interpreter volunteers. 

Share your sunshine by visiting with Hospice patients who are often lonely and without the comfort of immediate family.  Our patients benefit so much from warm smiles, pleasant conversations, and gentle hand holding.  It's easy to share music/nature sounds on your smart phone, read books/poetry, play guitar/Sing, watch TV, join a patient for dinner or just provide a compassionate presence.  We provide free comprehensive training and support a long your journey.  Let people know they matter.  Your smile and presence will mean so much to our patients and families!

Benefits for you:

You can:  Make a difference in your community, be part of the hospice team, and enjoy a flexible volunteer schedule. A few hours a week can make a big difference to someone nearing the end of life!  

Share your sunshine by visiting with Hospice patients who are often lonely and without the comfort of immediate family.  Our patients benefit so much from warm smiles, pleasant conversations, and gentle hand holding.  It's easy to share music/nature sounds on your smart phone, read books/poetry, play guitar/Sing, watch TV, join a patient for dinner or just provide a compassionate presence.  We provide free comprehensive training and support a long your journey.  Let people know they matter.  Your smile and presence will mean so much to our patients and families!

Benefits for you:

You can:  Make a difference in your community, be part of the hospice team, and enjoy a flexible volunteer schedule. A few hours a week can make a big difference to someone nearing the end of life!  

M.A.S.H. (Military And Service Heroes) is seeking a creative and passionate Volunteer Videographer to capture the stories, impact, and mission of our organization through high-quality video production. This volunteer will help produce engaging content for social media, fundraising campaigns, website features, educational presentations, and community outreach.

Our mission is to serve veterans, active-duty military, military families, and surviving spouses with commitment, compassion, and respect while strengthening the veteran community. Your videos will help inspire volunteers, donors, corporate sponsors, and the community to become part of that mission.

Primary Responsibilities

Love gardening and the beauty of ever-changing landscapes? Come be part of a dedicated team of volunteers who cultivate and care for the stunning gardens at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark! Each week brings something new—whether it’s planting vibrant annuals and perennials, weeding, edging, mulching, pruning, or simply enjoying the seasonal transformations.
You'll have the opportunity to explore and support a variety of unique garden spaces, including the Federal, English, Victorian, and Woodland Gardens. Whether you volunteer regularly or drop in when you can, your efforts help make Wegerzyn a breathtaking place for all to enjoy.
Come dig in, get inspired, and make an impact—our gardens wouldn’t be the same without you!

Horticulture at Five Rivers MetroParks creates, maintains, and preserves green space and habitats for pollinators and native plants, as well as educates visitors on sustainable gardening practices and local food production.  Gardening volunteers support the Horticulture and Outdoor Connections staff in a variety of gardening tasks. 

Under the supervision of the Staff Lead, support and assist with the following tasks:

M.A.S.H. is a non-profit organization with centers in Delaware and Grove City, Ohio that provides a place for active duty, veterans, their families and surviving spouses to get food, camaraderie, support as well as visiting local nursing homes.  We are looking for someone with fundraising experience to help us find the determine the best opportunities for raising money to help support the centers, organizing them and working with companies to be sponsors.  This person will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and supporting fundraising activities that generate financial resources, community awareness, and donor engagement. This volunteer works closely with the organization's leadership, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners to ensure fundraising efforts are successful and align with the nonprofit's mission.  Look at our website at https://www.mashpantry.org to learn more about M.A.S.H.  Will be required to attend meetings once a week with leadership on plans, as well as a monthly meeting with an Advisory Board.  Can work from home, as well as work at our 540 Sunbury Rd. (behind the bowling alley) during our normal operating hours Monday-Friday, 9am-noon.  Approximately 5–15 hours per week, with additional time during major fundraising events.

Program Support Volunteers are needed and able to participate in various entry opportunities to support programs while not needing to be the expert at the activities.  The textile group welcomes all those interested in supporting their efforts to breathe new life into fiber arts and textile activities!  Textile volunteers help us create, maintain, and repair essential items at our historic farm and other MetroParks facilities. There are many tasks that aid us in these efforts that require no previous experience.  

Volunteers enable us to accomplish so much more by lending a hand in simple activities, allowing demonstrators to take a break, or talking with the visitors about the activities while allowing the tasks to be completed.

This opportunity is open to individual, long-term, and short-term volunteers, ages 16 and up . Learn more about our types of service here. 

Learn more about Programming opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.  

Sonder Oktoberfest 5K Run/Walk & Kids Root Beer Run celebrating Oktoberfest benefiting Greater Project, serving children in need in our community and beyond! SIGNUP Whether you’re a student looking to earn community service hours or someone who simply wants to give back, we’d love to have you on our team. From race support, raffle, water stop to all day festival activities, there’s a role for everyone.

Celebrate the bounty of the season while helping others discover the joys of gardening and plants in this opportunity! Program Support Volunteers in the Possum Creek Demonstration Garden will assist program participants in discovering produce, herbs, or flowers that are new to them, finding the ones they would like to harvest, as well as assisting in their harvest. This hands-on garden experience allows people to learn more about the plants being grown, how to harvest correctly, and sometimes how to grow them in their own gardens.  You do not need to be an expert to be a program support for this opportunity, but gardening and plant knowledge are always a plus.

Impact

Possum Creek MetroPark is creating programs to engage people in growing their own produce, learning about the plants, and ways to give back to the community.  Volunteers help educate participants about habitats for pollinators and their connection to food production, as well as sustainable gardening.   Program support volunteers help build access, comfort, convenience, and safety into our programs for all interested in learning. They enable more individualized support for first-time learners in this valuable skill-building program.

Tasks

Under the supervision of the Staff Lead, volunteers will assist with the following: 

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual Short-term and Long-Term volunteers, ages 18 and up. 

Additional Notes

Learn more about the Programming opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page!   Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this/these opportunities: 

Program Support

Do you love spending your weekend in the vibrant, bubbling atmosphere of 2nd Street Market, where you always end up running into a familiar face? Volunteers will be stationed near the entrance and will enhance the visitor experience by greeting and welcoming visitors. Volunteers will also conduct sales of MetroParks merchandise, process EBT sales, provide wayfinding assistance, and promote the MetroParks by passing out literature.

Volunteers enhance the visitor experience and help curate the Market’s unique, vibrant culture for our customers who then support our vendors in providing sustainable local food to the community.

This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Long-Term and Short-Term.  Learn more about our types of service here.

Be part of the change and help promote access to healthy foods in our community! Nourishing Montgomery County is a community initiative aimed at promoting food equity and access to health foods for all residents. This event offers a variety of resources and classes to help spread aid and nutrition awareness for all Montgomery County residents.

Montgomery County organizations along with MetroParks staff will host booths in front of the Market to engage community members in activities that spread awareness and help educate while having some fun. Volunteers are needed to assist with simple crafts and games alongside our MetroParks staff. 

Impact

Program Support volunteers make programs like this one celebrating our community and spreading awareness possible!

Tasks

Eligibility: This opportunity is open to individual Long-Term and Short-Term volunteers ages 16 and up.

Additional Notes

Learn more about Programming with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Volunteers are needed to assist our program team in this two-part series, helping turn kitchen scraps and yard waste into garden gold.   Volunteers support the staff by enhancing these programs, providing extra attention to participants' curiosity and individual learning speeds. Program support volunteers will assist our staff and speaker in the upcoming composting class by assisting with set up and tear down of the space, welcoming participants, assisting with hands-on activities, and helping create a fun, engaging learning environment. This is a two-part series, and the ideal volunteer would be able to assist with both sessions. The series is a mix of classroom learning and hands-on activities cover topics such as soil ecology, chemical-free gardening, and household waste management.
Whether you’re an experienced composter or simply passionate about sustainable living, your time and energy will help inspire others to reduce waste and grow healthier gardens. Join us and be part of building a greener community—one compost pile at a time!
Program Support volunteers do not need to be experts in the activities, but for this opportunity, should be enthusiastic about more sustainable practices in the yards.   

Impact

Engaging volunteers within our programs assists not only in enriching the learning experience but also in fostering a sense of community and collaboration. Participants have varying levels of knowledge and experience, and volunteers help create a more personalized learning experience for everyone.

 Tasks

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual Short-term and Long-Term volunteers, ages 18 and up. 

 Additional Notes

Learn more about the Programming opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page!   Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this/these opportunities: 

Program Support

Step into the Forge at Small Farm & Food Fest!  Qualified Historic Blacksmith volunteers to bring history to life during Small Farm & Food Fest at the Daniel A. Arnold Historic Farm. These volunteers share the sights, sounds, and skills of traditional blacksmithing by demonstrating historic techniques and engaging visitors with stories of the trade. Join us at the forge and help spark curiosity about our agricultural and rural heritage!

Historic Blacksmith volunteers are needed during Small Farm & Food Fest to provide interpretation and demonstrations for the Blacksmith shop on the Daniel A Arnold Historic Farm. To learn more, visit our Historic Blacksmith Volunteer Training page here.

Impact

Volunteers help create an authentic farm experience while showcasing the craftsmanship that once played a vital role in daily life. Volunteers must be qualified as a Historic Interpreter and Historic Blacksmith to participate in this opportunity.  

Tasks

Eligibility 

This opportunity is open to individual, long-term volunteers, ages 18 and up, who have qualified as Historic Interpreters and a Historic Blacksmith.  

Additional Notes

Learn more about Skilled Trades opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this/these opportunities:

Carriage Hill Farm Chores

Historic Woodworker

The Daniel Arnold Historic Farm offers a captivating glimpse into the past, attracting visitors every year. This unique destination provides more than just an overview of history; it presents an engaging and immersive journey back to the 19th century, where visitors can uncover the rich stories of the Arnold family and the vibrant life of farming during that era.
One of the main attractions for visitors is the craft shops, and the blacksmith shop served as an essential hub for crafting and repairing the tools that kept the farm running smoothly. The pride in craftsmanship comes to life as volunteers demonstrate techniques and assist with projects on the current farm.

Impact

Historic Blacksmith volunteers provide interpretation and demonstrations for the Blacksmith shop on the Daniel A Arnold Historic Farm.  They represent what living in the 1880s might have been like, and help visitors make a stronger connection to the history of Carriage Hill and experience life on an 1880s working farm. 

Tasks

 This opportunity is open to individual, long-term volunteers, ages 18 and up, who have qualified as Historic Interpreters and a Historic Blacksmith.  

Additional Notes

Learn more about Skilled Trades opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this/these opportunities:

Carriage Hill Farm Chores

Historic Woodworker

Help create a fun and memorable experience for families at Small Farm & Food Fest as a Program Support volunteer on the Daniel Arnold Historic Farm. You'll work alongside staff and Historic Interpreter volunteers to welcome visitors and lead hands-on, family-friendly activities, with a special focus on historic games.
If you enjoy interacting with people, encouraging children to play, and sharing the fun of history, this is a great opportunity to make a difference while having fun yourself! 

Impact

Volunteers engage the public and provide general event support to ensure a high-quality event experience for the public. The game and children's activity area is a popular station and adds so much to the historic experience. Volunteers are critical to events like these--thank you for volunteering!

Tasks

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual long-Term volunteers, ages 14 and up. 

 Additional Notes

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this opportunity:

Shadow Experience: Historic Interpreter

All Program Support

Step into the Daniel Arnold Historic Farm and help visitors experience life as it was in the late 1800s. More than a collection of historic buildings, the farm is a living history site where families can explore the daily lives, challenges, and craftsmanship of a 19th-century farming community. Woodshop Volunteers during Small Farm and Food Fest will be demonstrating traditional woodworking tools and techniques while helping create a simple, practical wooden item used throughout the historic farm. An important part of the visitor experience is engaging with the volunteers who can share how early woodworkers transformed raw lumber into essential tools and household goods, and help visitors connect with history through hands-on interpretation.

Impact

Volunteers participate in a rewarding opportunity to preserve traditional skills and inspire curiosity in visitors of all ages.  They help keep the stories, and the craftsmanship, of the Daniel Arnold Historic Farm alive. They represent what living in the 1880s might have been like, and help visitors make a stronger connection to the history of Carriage Hill and experience life on an 1880s working farm. 

Tasks

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual, long-term volunteers, ages 18 and up, who have qualified as Historic Interpreters and a Historic Woodworker.  

Additional Notes

Learn more about Skilled Trades opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this/these opportunities:

Carriage Hill Farm Chores

Historic Woodworker

Through oral history, letters, diaries, government records, and other primary and secondary sources, a picture of a lifestyle emerges that Carriage Hill interpreters can bring to life for the public. Volunteers represent what living in the 1880s might have been like, and help visitors make a stronger connection to the history of Carriage Hill and the experience of life on an 1880s working farm. This opportunity will allow people to enjoy an experience at the historic farm, see demonstrations of simple everyday farm tasks, and get a personal introduction to life on the farm. The individuals who volunteer their time and talents help put excitement and perspective into the activities at the Carriage Hill Historic Farm. 

Impact

The interpretative purpose of the farm is to use the Arnold Family, who once lived at Carriage Hill Farm, as a guide to how a real conservative farm family is in real-time at a real place. Volunteers represent what living in the 1880s might have been like, and help visitors make a stronger connection to the history of Carriage Hill and experience life on an 1880s working farm.  

Tasks

Under the supervision of the historic farm staff, volunteers assist and support with the following:

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual, long-term, short-term volunteers, ages 16 and up, who have qualified as Historic Interpreters.  

 Additional Notes

Learn more about Programming opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this/these opportunities:

Carriage Hill Farm Chores

Program Support

Program Support volunteers at Small Farm & Food Fest work alongside staff and Historic Interpreter volunteers at interactive demonstration and informational stations, helping visitors connect with hands-on activities and discover traditional skills. Whether you have experience with gardening, canning, textiles, or another related craft, your knowledge can inspire curiosity and create memorable experiences for guests of all ages. Volunteers will help demonstrations run smoothly, answer questions, encourage participation, and add their talents and experience to the day's activities. While you won't serve as a Historic Interpreter, you'll play an important role in making the event engaging, educational, and fun for everyone.
No period clothing is required—just a willingness to share your skills, interact with visitors, and help create an unforgettable day at Carriage Hill Historic Farm!

Impact

Volunteers will be demonstrating skills they have in modern times that were also popular in the 1880s, and help visitors make a stronger connection to Carriage Hill and experience life on an 1880s working farm. This opportunity will allow people to enjoy an experience at the historic farm, learn more about the various stations, and get a personal introduction to life on the farm.

Tasks

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual, long-term, and short-term volunteers, ages 16 and up.  

GET STARTED: This opportunity requires Volunteer Onboarding (Profile, Volunteer Handbook Signature), and for those 18 and up, an eligible background check.  Simply click the blue RESPOND button to begin completing the required qualifications, or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer. 

This opportunity is approved for OSU Master Gardener service.

Visit the Historic Interpreter page in our Training Library to see what training is required to become part of the Historic Interpreter volunteers. 

Additional Notes

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this opportunity:

Shadow Experience: Historic Interpreter

All Program Support

Do you enjoy gardening and love sharing your knowledge with others? If you have a strong gardening background, enjoy talking with people, and want to inspire others through an interactive activity, this is a rewarding way to make a difference while celebrating our agricultural heritage. Program Assistant during Small Farm & Food Fest and help visitors discover the beauty and purpose of the gardens at the Daniel Arnold Historic Farm. Engage guests of all ages in conversations about gardening, answer questions, and help create a welcoming, interactive experience.  

Impact

Program Support volunteers add depth to an event or program, help things run more efficiently, bring a 21st-century skill to share at an event or program, but are not Historic Interpreters.  These volunteers will support the staff to enhance the experience guests have at Carriage Hill Historic Farm. This opportunity will allow people to enjoy an experience at the historic farm, learn more about the various stations, and get a personal introduction to life on the farm!

Tasks

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual long-Term volunteers, ages 18 and up. 

Additional Notes

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this opportunity:

Shadow Experience: Historic Interpreter

All Program Support

Tasks include answering phones, preparing documents, helping with mailings, and other miscellaneous tasks as needed. No prior office experience is needed and we will train.

We are looking for extra office help from:

     9-1pm on Monday

     9-1pm and 1-4pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays

We need people willing to commit to a 4- or 5-hour shift to monitor our guests while they are in the building. Monitors will answer the office phone, distribute bed linens, make coffee, run the dishwasher, light cleaning as needed, open tote rooms for guests to obtain their personal items, and other miscellaneous tasks. Depending on the shift hours, bed linens may also need to be laundered.

Our monitors are people willing to help the less fortunate in non-judgmental ways. We provide professional social services when requested so you do not need to be a counselor or professional social worker in order to volunteer. We do train and we are flexible with scheduling.

These are our current shifts that need additional people:

     4:00pm-9:00pm     Tuesdays

     4:00pm-9:00pm     Fridays

     4:00pm-9:00pm     Saturdays

     4:00pm-9:00pm     Sundays

     5:00am-9:00am      Monday, Wednesday, Friday

We can also use people who cannot commit to a regular schedule but would be willing to fill in when someone cannot fill in on their regular shift due to illness or vacation time. 

Let us know which day works into your schedule, and we can set up a tour at your earliest convenience!

We are searching for volunteers who are willing to deep clean our facility in the kitchen, dorms, bathrooms, common areas and the laundry room.

Single volunteers or groups are welcomed. We are looking for volunteers to do a 1-to-1.5-hour shift between the hours of:

     9am-3pm on Monday - Friday

Times are flexible based on your schedule. Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you are interested!

Small Farm & Food Fest is a free, all-ages event that promotes healthy eating and sustainable living with dozens of hands-on activities, a pop-up farmers market, demonstrations, speakers, and more. Sustainability volunteers help to educate the public on sustainability practices and assist with proper waste disposal. Come help event participants learn their impact on the future by combining historic composting and modern day recycling methods!

Impact

Special Event volunteers are critical in ensuring events and large-scale programs run smoothly. Sustainability volunteers help educate participants about what a low-waste event program is, how to distinguish between various recycling and compostable items and encourage ongoing sustainable practices

Tasks

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual, public, long-term, and short term, volunteers, ages 18 and up. Simply click the blue RESPOND button to sign up or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer.

Additional Notes

Click here to view a map of Carriage Hill MetroPark

Learn more about Special Events opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House. 

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved,

build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider these opportunities:

Heirloom Gardening

Barn Aide 

Calling all bookworms! Book Lovers Day is August 9, and we’ve got a fun way for you to celebrate by spreading the joy of reading, one beloved book at a time.

Celebrate Book Lovers Day by sharing a book you love in a Little Free Library near you. You’ll be expanding book access by sharing your favorite reads.

It’s easy to participate:

This is a great activity for families, friends, or book clubs to do together. 

Impact: Celebrate your love of reading while expanding book access in your community.

Time Required: Flexible. Share one book, or share many! Please share your book(s) anytime on Saturday, August 9. 

Support: You can contact the Community Engagement Manager to ask questions. 

Volunteers under 18 need online volunteer forms completed by a parent/guardian to participate. 

Do you enjoy the Hispanic Heritage Festival? Support the event and the frontline staff by showing appreciation to those who work behind the scenes to make it happen! Volunteers are needed to oversee the hospitality room that will supply lunch and dinner to Five Rivers MetroParks staff and volunteers.

Impact

Special Event volunteers serve a critical role in ensuring that each special event or large-scale program runs smoothly from set up to tear down. Hospitality Attendant Volunteers make sure that hard working staff have access to needed food and drinks to keep them going strong for the duration of the event they are working.  

Tasks

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individuals, public, long-term, and short term volunteers, ages 18 and up. Simply click the blue RESPOND button to sign up or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A VOLUNTEER PARKING PASS

Learn more about Special Events opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this opportunity:

     Small Farm and Food Fest 

Join Us as a Volunteer at the Arthritis Foundation 43rd Annual Charity Auto Show!

Taking place in Dublin, OH, on July 17-18, 2026, the Arthritis Foundation Charity Auto Show welcomes over 1,000 registered vehicles and thousands of spectators. Volunteers ensure the event runs smoothly through support of the Front Gate, Wayfinding, Information Tents, and more! 

Volunteers will receive an event t-shirt, catered meals, and free parking/admission for the duration of the event.

Select your shift time, and we will reach out with additional details to select a specific role. 

Please email Lizzie Howald at ehowald@arthritis.org with any questions. 

Be a hero for the environment by joining the stewardship department in removing invasive species and improving the woodland habitat at W.W. Knight Preserve. Long pants and long sleeves are recommended. Closed-toed shoes required. Tools, instructions, and snacks provided.

** This is scheduled for 2 days. Feel free to join us on one or both days!

Be a hero for the environment by joining the stewardship department in removing invasive species and improving the woodland habitat at W.W. Knight Preserve. Long pants and long sleeves are recommended. Closed-toed shoes required. Tools, instructions, and snacks provided.

** This is scheduled for 2 days. Feel free to join us on one or both days!

Help clean native plant seeds that have been harvested from Park District properties. This is an indoor, sit-down activity. All instruction and materials provided.

Help clean native plant seeds that have been harvested from Park District properties. This is an indoor, sit-down activity. All instruction and materials provided.

Help clean native plant seeds that have been harvested from Park District properties. This is an indoor, sit-down activity. All instruction and materials provided.

Please join us at J.C. Reuthinger Memorial Preserve for an Adopt-A-Garden volunteer appreciation lunch/season wrap up. As the gardening season wraps up we would like to bring everyone together to share how the season went and discuss ideas for next year! Lunch will be provided by the Stewardship department, but feel free to bring any additional food items to share if you would like!

The Daniel Arnold Historic Farm offers a fascinating look into the past, attracting visitors each year. It provides more than just a historical overview; it offers an immersive interpretive experience. Guided by the story of the Arnold family, visitors can discover what life was truly like for a farming family in the 19th century.

In the woodshop at the historic farm, volunteers explain the tools and methods used, while also supporting farm projects by creating wooden items. Through this hands-on interpretation, visitors gain an appreciation for the craftsmanship and pride that woodworkers in the 1880s felt when making useful products.

Volunteers represent what living in the 1880s might have been like, and help visitors make a stronger connection to the history of Carriage Hill and experience life on an 1880s working farm. 

This opportunity is open to individual, long-term volunteers, ages 18 and up, who have qualified as Historic Interpreters and a Historic Woodworker.  

Learn more about Skilled Trades opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this/these opportunities:

Carriage Hill Farm Chores

Historic Woodworker

Be a hero for the environment by joining the stewardship department in removing invasive species and improving the woodland habitat at Otsego Park. Long pants and long sleeves are recommended. Closed-toed shoes required. Tools, instructions, and snacks provided. Please note that the work area will be on a slope.

** This is scheduled for 2 days. Feel free to join us on one or both days!

Be a hero for the environment by joining the stewardship department in removing invasive species and improving the woodland habitat at Otsego Park. Long pants and long sleeves are recommended. Closed-toed shoes required. Tools, instructions, and snacks provided. Please note that the work area will be on a slope.

** This is scheduled for 2 days. Feel free to join us on one or both days!

Join the Stewardship Department with a special co-leader, Community and Communications specialist and Cherokee Nation member, Jessie Walton-Summers, at W.W. Knight Preserve for a fun morning of planting native trees and shrubs! For Indigenous Peoples Day, we'll share some cultural stories and relationship between native plants and Indigenous people. The goal of this program is to restore the forest ecosystem behind the nature center where previous Habitat Heroes programs removed large patches of invasive buckthorn. Long pants and long sleeves are recommended. Closed-toed shoes required. Tools, instructions, and snacks provided.

Be a hero for the environment by joining the stewardship department in removing invasive species and improving the woodland habitat at William Henry Harrison Park. Long pants and long sleeves are recommended. Closed-toed shoes required. Tools, instructions, and snacks provided.

** This is scheduled for 2 days. Feel free to join us on one or both days!

Be a hero for the environment by joining the stewardship department in removing invasive species and improving the woodland habitat at William Henry Harrison Park. Long pants and long sleeves are recommended. Closed-toed shoes required. Tools, instructions, and snacks provided.

** This is scheduled for 2 days. Feel free to join us on one or both days!

Help plant, maintain, and harvest seed from the native plants in the nursery! All tools & training provided.

Join the stewardship department at Otsego Park to celebrate Pawpaw season! Learn about North America’s largest edible native tree fruit, and Ohio’s official state native fruit! We will be planting Pawpaws, along with other native trees and shrubs along our riparian forest restoration area to replace the invasive species that were cleared out during previous Habitat Heroes programs. Long pants and long sleeves are recommended. Closed-toed shoes required. Tools, instructions, and snacks provided. Please note that the work area will be on a slope.

Help plant, maintain, and harvest seed from the native plants in the nursery. All tools and training provided.

Help WCPD staff with The Life in the Parks Game, greet guests and offer game play on the simple 3-5 minute board game.  This position may also be the person who clicks the people counter to record the number of visitors in the tent and record that number at the end of your shift.

*Please bring a reusable water bottle for your shift and wear WCPD Volunteer shirts/merch if able. 

Please email or call Jessie Walton-Summers regarding any questions.

419-353-1897 or jwalton@wcparks.org

Help us provide a shaded park-like oasis in the parks tent with a breezeway! Help WCPD staff with The Life in the Parks Game, greet guests, and answer guests questions/point them to relevant park district programming and information. This position may also be the person who clicks the people counter to record the number of visitors in the tent and record that number at the end of your shift. Please bring a water for your shift and wear WCPD Volunteer shirts/merch if able.  

*There will be a required training in the tent at the fairgrounds, date tbd. You will be required to present a fair ticket to get into the fairgrounds for your shift. Tickets can be can be picked up at Park District Headquarters starting date tbd.

Headquarter office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm at 18729 Mercer Road, Bowling Green, OH 43402. If you do not pickup your tickets early, they will be handed out at the training.

Please email or call Jessie Walton-Summers regarding any questions.

419-353-1897 or jwalton@wcparks.org

ig Brothers Big Sisters is seeking volunteers to help prep and paint our Program Manager’s office. This office serves as a central space where we host staff, meet with board members, welcome supporters, and hold site visits with funders. It is also a place where we connect with the youth and families we serve. Creating a clean, updated, and calming environment helps us make a strong and positive first impression.

What this project will do for Big Brothers Big Sisters: A freshly painted office will create a welcoming, professional space for everyone who walks through our doors. It shows pride in our work and respect for the youth, families, and community partners we serve. This simple update will also boost staff morale by creating an environment that feels cared for, positive, and ready for meaningful connection.

Project details: Volunteers will assist with prepping and painting one office space.

Do you enjoy cooking, canning, food preservation, or sharing practical skills with others? Join our Cookery Tent team and help bring these time-honored traditions to life!   Program Assistant Volunteers are needed to assist with engaging, hands-on demonstrations throughout the day, including hot water bath canning, pressure canning, dehydrating meals for travel, cast iron care and seasoning, and both historic and modern camp cookery. Whether you're an experienced home canner, outdoor cooking enthusiast, or simply enjoy helping visitors learn something new, you'll play an important role in creating a fun and educational experience for families and community members. Share your knowledge, inspire others to build confidence in the kitchen and outdoors, and help preserve skills that have been passed down through generations. Come be part of a welcoming team and make a lasting impact—one demonstration at a time! This opportunity will require you to have some culinary knowledge or experience with at least one of the stations offered. Period clothing is not required.

Impact

Program Support volunteers add depth to an event or program, help things run more efficiently, bring a 21st-century skill to share at an event or program, but are not Historic Interpreters.  These volunteers will support the staff to enhance the experience guests have at Carriage Hill Historic Farm.. This opportunity will allow people to enjoy an experience at the historic farm, learn more about the various stations, and get a personal introduction to life on the farm.

Tasks

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual long-Term volunteers, ages 18 and up. 

Additional Notes

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this opportunity:

Shadow Experience: Historic Interpreter

All Program Support

Volunteers can enhance their outdoor cooking skills by learning techniques and recipes from the 19th century while helping visitors experience this unique program. This demonstration program will involve preparing a simple meal cooked over a small fire with 19th-century stoves and modern firebox stoves. Volunteers will support the 2nd Saturday Cookery activities at the Historic Farm. Each month, the demonstrations will feature different items, but all recipes are from 19th-century resources - Camp Cookery and Marion Harlan's cookbooks (especially the picnic-style recipes). These skills can be valuable during power outages, camping trips, hiking excursions, and emergencies. The cooking will take place near the summer kitchen on the historic farm grounds.  Volunteers will participate in the upcoming month's meal plan and assist with preparing the current meal.

Program Support Volunteers at the Historic Farm contribute their time and talents, adding an extra layer of engagement to activities and enhancing the visitor experience. Program Support Volunteers are welcome and can participate in various entry-level opportunities to support our programs—typically, no expert knowledge is required. However, volunteers who support the cookery programs should have some culinary experience. This opportunity will focus on a 19th-century interpretive demonstration using recipes from the 19th-century cookbooks.

Impact

Volunteers enable us to accomplish so much more by lending a hand in simple activities, allowing demonstrators to take a break, or talking with the visitors about the activities while allowing the tasks to be completed.

Tasks

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual long-Term volunteers, ages 18 and up. 

 Additional Notes

Learn more about the Programming opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page!   Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this opportunity:

Shadow Experience: Historic Interpreter

All Program Support

Join the Wilks Institute and Associated Student Government in the annual RedHawk Day of Service. Students, staff, and faculty will work with community partners in Oxford and Butler County

You must sign up on Miami Central! https://cglink.me/26X/r375545 

The Perrysburg Farmers Market features more than 60 merchants and vendors specializing in fresh produce, plants, food trucks, baked goods, personal care items, textiles, art and more. The Market is in Historic Downtown Perrysburg on Louisiana Avenue and opens rain or shine, though some vendors may choose not to attend. 

Welcome to the Propagation Operation, or PropOps for short. Our goal is to propagate native plants to be used for restoration and conservation projects throughout the district. In addition to trees and shrubs, volunteers will be growing herbaceous plants as well at the Barbara Cox Center for Sustainable Horticulture at Cox Arboretum MetroPark. 

Impact

Protecting open space and natural areas is a priority for Five Rivers MetroParks, which protects nearly 16,000 acres of land — 90 percent of it in its natural state. Conservation volunteers are a part of our regional conservation story by assisting in implementing a variety of natural area management plans.  

Tasks

Eligibility

Additional Notes

Learn more about Conservation opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House. 

Share your sunshine by visiting with Hospice patients who are often lonely and without the comfort of immediate family.  Our patients benefit so much from warm smiles, pleasant conversations, and gentle hand holding.  It's easy to share music/nature sounds on your smart phone, read books/poetry, play guitar/Sing, watch TV, join a patient for dinner or just provide a compassionate presence.  We provide free comprehensive training and support a long your journey.  Let people know they matter.  Your smile and presence will mean so much to our patients and families!

Benefits for you:

You can:  Make a difference in your community, be part of the hospice team, and enjoy a flexible volunteer schedule. A few hours a week can make a big difference to someone nearing the end of life!  

Do you love the MetroParks and sharing that passion with others? Come join us at Small Farm & Food Fest, a free, annual event for all-ages, that promotes healthy eating and sustainable living. With dozens of fun, hands-on activities, demonstrations, speakers, and a pop up farmer's market, there's something for everyone on the farm! Info Tent Support volunteers share their love and knowledge of Five Rivers MetroParks with the public by providing information about programs, parks, events, and special offerings.

Impact

Info Tent Support volunteers support Marketing staff helping event participants connect with the resources available at the MetroParks. Special Event volunteers serve a critical role in ensuring that each special event or large-scale program runs smoothly from setup to teardown.

Tasks

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual, public, long-term, short term volunteers, ages 18 and up. Simply click the blue RESPOND button to sign up or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer.

Additional Notes

Learn more about Special Event opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this/these opportunities: 

Historic Interpreter

Possum Creek Gardening 

Come join us at Small Farm & Food Fest, a free, annual event for all-ages, that promotes healthy eating and sustainable living. With dozens of fun, hands-on activities, demonstrations, speakers, and a pop up farmer's market, there's something for everyone on the farm! Event Ambassador volunteers help set the tone of this event by greeting visitors and providing information about the day's festivities. 

Impact

Special Event volunteers serve a critical role in ensuring that each special event or large-scale program runs smoothly from setup to teardown. Event Ambassador volunteers help participants feel welcome, engaged and knowledgeable about the event.

Tasks

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual, public, long-term, short term volunteers, ages 18. Simply click the blue RESPOND button to sign up or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer.

Additional Notes

Learn more about Special Event opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this/these opportunities: 

Historic Interpreter

Possum Creek Gardening 

Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty? Join us at Possum Creek MetroPark for a fun-filled volunteer opportunity in the Demonstration Garden! The Demonstration Gardens provide produce to those in need throughout Dayton and the Miami Valley. Our education staff needs your help in maintaining the gardens and flower beds at the farm. Don't worry if you don't have any previous experience – we welcome all volunteers to learn by doing and ask questions. Together, we'll make the Possum Creek Demonstration Garden a beautiful and inspiring place for programming, school tours, and park patrons of all ages!

Horticulture at Five Rivers MetroParks creates, maintains, and preserves green space and habitats for pollinators and native plants, as well as educates visitors on sustainable gardening practices and local food production.  Gardening volunteers support the Horticulture and Outdoor Connections staff in a variety of gardening tasks. 

Under the supervision of the Staff Lead, volunteers will support and assist with the following:

This opportunity is open to teens and adults (ages 14 and older), Long-Term, and Short-Term volunteers.

Learn more about Gardening opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.  

Come join us at Small Farm & Food Fest, a free, annual event for all-ages, that promotes healthy eating and sustainable living! With dozens of fun, hands-on activities, demonstrations, speakers, and a pop up farmer's market, there's something for everyone on the farm! Exhibitor Support volunteers welcome exhibitors and help them get prepared for the event. 

Special Event volunteers serve a critical role in ensuring that each special event or large-scale program runs smoothly from setup to teardown. Exhibitor Support Volunteers help create a welcoming environment for exhibitors and lend a helping hand with their set up tasks.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual, public, long-term, or short term volunteers, ages 16 and up. Simply click the blue RESPOND button to sign up or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer.

Additional Notes

Learn more about Special Events opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House. 

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved,

build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider these opportunities:

Heirloom Gardening

Barn Aide 

Come join us at Small Farm & Food Fest, a free, annual event for all-ages, that promotes healthy eating and sustainable living! With dozens of fun, hands-on activities, demonstrations, speakers, and a pop up farmer's market, there's something for everyone on the farm! Event Staff Support volunteers help staff ensure that the event is running smoothly by providing assistance to staff and fellow volunteers.

Impact

Special Event volunteers serve a critical role in ensuring that each special event or large-scale program runs smoothly from setup to teardown. Your efforts to respond to active needs during the event increase enjoyment for fellow volunteers, staff and participants alike!

Tasks

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual, public, long-term, or short term volunteers, ages 16 and up. Simply click the blue RESPOND button to sign up or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer.

Additional Notes

Learn more about Special Events opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House. 

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved,

build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider these opportunities:

Heirloom Gardening

Barn Aide 

Second Harvest Food Bank is having a distribution for Champaign County at the Champaign County Community Building. We will have pallets of food ready to distribute, we could use your help serving our neighbors in Champaign County!

Position Overview

Child Engagement/Care Volunteers provide safe, engaging, and supportive care for children during Families Flourish events and programming. By creating fun and structured activities for children, volunteers help allow parents and caregivers to more fully participate in workshops, conversations, relationship-building, and time with staff and other families.

These volunteers play an important role in helping create an environment where both children and adults feel supported, connected, and included.

Title

Child Engagement/Care Volunteer

Key Responsibilities

Initial Impact

Child Engagement/Care Volunteers help create space for parents and caregivers to fully participate in Families Flourish programming without constant interruption or stress related to childcare needs.

When parents are able to focus, connect, and engage more deeply with staff and other families, stronger relationships and community connections can form. Children also benefit from positive social interaction, engaging activities, and supportive adult attention during events.

Volunteers contribute to creating a more welcoming and accessible environment for the entire family.

Sustained Outcomes

Over time, reliable childcare and child engagement support can strengthen parent participation, relationship-building, and overall program connection within Families Flourish.

Children benefit from positive group experiences, safe adult interactions, and opportunities for play and creativity. Parents benefit from being able to build community, focus on educational programming, and develop stronger support networks with other participating families.

These efforts help reinforce the idea that Families Flourish supports the wellbeing of the entire family — not just individual participants.

Training

Volunteers receive:

Previous childcare experience is helpful but not always required.

Support

Child Engagement/Care Volunteers are supported by Families Flourish staff through:

Volunteers are not expected to manage major behavioral or crisis situations independently.

Commitment

This role is ideal for volunteers who enjoy working with children and helping families feel supported during community events.

Screening and Safety Requirements

Because this role involves direct interaction with children, all volunteers are required to complete:

Families Flourish is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for all participating children and families.

Skills and Qualifications

We are seeking volunteers who are:

Creativity, playfulness, and kindness are highly valued in this role.

Benefits

Volunteers have the opportunity to:

Join our programming team for a series of canning classes designed to teach participants how to preserve fruits and vegetables affordably and efficiently. The timeless technique of hot water bath canning was used in the 19th century for preserving jams, jellies, syrups, and pickled items. Each week, we will utilize both period recipes and their modern equivalents, offering a variety of recipes. Our program support volunteers are there to support both staff and participants, ensuring everyone learns the essential skills needed to safely create beautifully sealed jars of goodness to take home. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with others, learn a valuable skill, and enjoy delicious homemade preserves!

Program Support Volunteers are welcome and can participate in various entry-level opportunities to support our programs—typically, no expert knowledge is required. However, volunteers who support the cookery programs should have some culinary experience.

Impact

Volunteers enable us to accomplish so much more by lending a hand in simple activities, allowing demonstrators to take a break, or talking with the visitors about the activities while allowing the tasks to be completed.

Tasks

This opportunity is open to individual, long-term, and short-term volunteers, ages 18 and up.  

 Additional Notes

Learn more about Programming opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider these opportunities:

Carriage Hill Farm Chores

Program Support

Come with us to the 14th Annual Pizza Palooza.  Try a slice of your favorite pizza or pick something new.  $8.00 admission.

Join us for one of our favorite games - BINGO!

Come join us at Small Farm & Food Fest, a free, annual event for all-ages, that promotes healthy eating and sustainable living! With dozens of fun, hands-on activities, demonstrations, speakers, and a pop up farmer's market, there's something for everyone on the farm! Be a part of our event setup team and help build the Small Farm and Food Fest event area for residents to enjoy the event! 

Impact

Special Event volunteers are critical in ensuring that each special event or large-scale program runs smoothly from set-up to tear-down. Your efforts to make sure the event infrastructure is set up securely, starts this fun event off on the right foot!

Tasks

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual, public, youth, long-term, or short term volunteers, ages 14 and up. Simply click the blue RESPOND button to sign up or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer.

Additional Notes

Learn more about Special Events opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House. 

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved,

build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider these opportunities:

Service Saturdays

Come join us at Small Farm & Food Fest, a free, annual event for all-ages, that promotes healthy eating and sustainable living! With dozens of fun, hands-on activities, demonstrations, speakers, and a pop up farmer's market, there's something for everyone on the farm! Help us wrap up the day's fun by taking down this event and restoring the park to it's usual look.

Impact

Special Event volunteers are critical in ensuring that each special event or large-scale program runs smoothly from set-up to tear-down. Your efforts to help staff dismantle and put away the event structures and equipment keep the work load lighter for everyone!

Tasks

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual, public, youth, long-term, or short term volunteers, ages 14 and up. Simply click the blue RESPOND button to sign up or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer.

Additional Notes

Learn more about Special Events opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House. 

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider these opportunities:  

Mud Day 2026

Beer and Wine Sales 

Help us keep this event from being "stuck in the mud"! Assist staff with keeping this year's Mud Day activities running smoothly! Provide support throughout the duration of the event to ensure participants get the most out of this family friendly activity.

Impact

Special Event volunteers serve a critical role in ensuring that events and large-scale programs run smoothly. Your efforts to respond to active needs during the event increase enjoyment for fellow volunteers, staff and participants alike!

Tasks 

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual, public, long-term, or short term volunteers, ages 16. Simply click the blue RESPOND button to sign up or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer.

Additional Notes

Learn more about Special Events opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this/these opportunities:

 Small Farm and Food Fest

Mud Day aims to give everyone a chance to play in the mud! Tear Down Team Volunteers will help clean up activities after the Mud Day event concludes. Help us reset the garden after this fun, family-friendly event.

Impact

Special Event volunteers serve a critical role in ensuring that each special event or large-scale program runs smoothly from set-up to tear-down. Tear-down volunteers ensure that the park is back in tip-top shape!

Tasks

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual, public, long-term, or short term volunteers, ages 14. Simply click the blue RESPOND button to sign up or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer.

Additional Notes

Learn more about Special Events opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this/these opportunities:

 Small Farm and Food Fest 

Don't miss your chance to place in the Mud! Set Up Team Volunteers arrange and put together the various Mud Day activity stations in the Children's Discovery Garden at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark. Stations will be for mud play, games, mud pie making, mud painting, and all things fun with mud!

Special Event volunteers serve a critical role in ensuring that each special event or large-scale program runs smoothly from set-up to tear-down.  

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual, family, public, long-term, and short term volunteers, ages 14 and up. Simply click the blue RESPOND button to sign up or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer.

Learn more about Special Events opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this/these opportunities: 

Small Farm and Food Fest

Special Events Opportunities

Mud Day aims to give everyone a chance to play in the mud! Event Ambassador volunteers help welcome guests to the event and assist with checking in, wayfinding, and answering questions. Help participants get the most out of this fun family event!

Impact

Ambassador volunteers share their enthusiasm for Five Rivers MetroParks with a diverse audience of event participants. Ambassadors are often the first friendly faces a visitor sees, welcoming them to the park, and can be counted on to share helpful information and answer a variety of questions. 

Tasks

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual, long-term, or short term volunteers, ages 14 and up. Simply click the blue RESPOND button to sign up or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer. 

Additional Notes

Learn more about Special Events opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider these opportunities:

Small Farm and Food Fest 

Ambassador Opportunities

If you were sad you missed Mud Day on June 27, GOOD NEWS, it is rescheduled!  This Mud Day event aims to allow everyone to play in the mud!  Volunteers will set up and support a variety of mud-themed activity stations in the Children's Discovery Garden.  During this program, volunteers should plan to get dirty while engaging visitors in the activities supporting these fun mud-themed activities.  Program support volunteers do not need to be experts in the activity, but it is important that they enjoy working with kids and their families. This opportunity will need the child in each volunteer to come out to play!

Impact

Volunteers help build access, comfort, convenience, safety, and FUN into our programs for all interested in learning!  They enable more individualized support for first-time learners and create a better skill-building environment. Volunteers help people make a stronger connection to nature by making it easy to experience the outdoors in fun activities.

Tasks

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual Short-term, Long-Term, and youth volunteers, ages 14 and up. 

Additional Notes:

Learn more about the Programming opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page!   Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this opportunity:

Program Support at Wegerzyn Gardens

If you were sad you missed Mud Day on June 27, GOOD NEWS, it is rescheduled!  This Mud Day event aims to allow everyone to play in the mud!  Volunteers will be using their creative and artistic side to paint one of 3 simple designs on interested participants to mark the day!  Program Support Volunteers should plan to get dirty, have fun, and encourage guests to enjoy a day celebrating MUD!

Face Painting— Volunteers will paint the faces of kids and adults using one of three SIMPLE designs. Face paint brushes, paint, and mud will be used to create the designs.   

Impact

Volunteers help build access, comfort, convenience, safety, and FUN into our programs for all interested in learning!  They enable more individualized support for first-time learners and create a better skill-building environment. Volunteers help people make a stronger connection to nature by making it easy to experience the outdoors in fun activities.

Tasks

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual Short-term, Long-Term, and youth volunteers, ages 14 and up. 

Additional Notes:

Learn more about the Programming opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page!   Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this opportunity:

Program Support at Wegerzyn Gardens

As a Big you can give a Little the invaluable gift of your time. By simply changing their perspective of what the world can offer, you can literally start changing their life. Play a board game. Make a craft. Hit the playground together. Just as your options are unlimited, so is your Little’s potential. 

Bigs meet with their Littles a minimum of 2 times a month.  We ask for an 18 month minimum commitment.

Teachers' Time Out is a series designed for teachers to engage with nature in a relaxed atmosphere. Teachers are encouraged to bring a special guest or two with them to enjoy the experience.  This session will be at the Patterson Shelter at Hills & Dales MetroPark, and participants will learn about the bats of Ohio. Volunteers who have assisted with MetroParks bat blitzes,  and box monitoring will get a chance to talk about their experience. Volunteers should have experience assisting with bat counts and surveys and be familiar with MetroParks bat conservation work. They should also be familiar with echometer technology. Experience working with teachers and school children is helpful. Volunteers will support this hands-on professional development workshop specifically designed for educators. Volunteers will assist with the setup and teardown of the venue, assist our staff with the refreshment setup, and participate in the discussions.  

Impact

Volunteers help us achieve much more by assisting with simple activities, enabling demonstrators to take breaks, engaging with participants about the activities, and ensuring tasks are completed.

 Tasks

Eligibility: This opportunity is open to individual, long-term volunteers, ages 18 and up.

 Additional Notes

Learn more about Programming opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.

Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this/these opportunities:

Program Support

This volunteer opportunity is to help first-year students as they move into the residence halls. If you are looking to volunteer with a specific organization, make sure you put that in the notes section when you register. 

This volunteer opportunity is to help first-year students as they move into the residence halls. If you are looking to volunteer with a specific organization, make sure you put that in the notes section when you register. 

Join Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio as a Healthy Harvest Corps AmeriCorps Member and help expand Food Is Medicine initiatives that improve health and food access across North Central Ohio. We're recruiting two members to support innovative programs that connect neighbors with nutritious food and essential community resources.

As a member, you might:

By joining, you'll gain hands-on experience in public health, nutrition, community outreach, partnership development, and nonprofit operations while helping improve health outcomes through increased access to healthy food

Join the SE Ohio Foodbank as a Healthy Harvest Corps AmeriCorps Member and help improve health and food access across Southeast Ohio. You'll be part of an innovative "Food as Medicine" initiative that connects neighbors with nutritious food, healthcare, and community resources while making a lasting impact.

We're recruiting two AmeriCorps Members to serve in Logan, Ohio. As a member, you might:

By joining, you'll gain valuable experience in public health, nutrition, community engagement, and nonprofit operations while helping create healthier communities across Southeast Ohio.

Join West Ohio Food Bank as a Healthy Harvest Corps AmeriCorps Member and help improve health and food access across Western Ohio. You'll support an innovative "Food as Medicine" initiative that connects neighbors with nutritious food and wellness resources while making a meaningful impact in the community.

As a member, you might:

By joining, you'll gain valuable experience in public health, nutrition, community outreach, and nonprofit operations while helping improve health outcomes through increased access to healthy food.

Join Shared Harvest Foodbank as a Healthy Harvest Corps AmeriCorps Member and help advance innovative Food Is Medicine initiatives that improve access to healthy food across Southwest Ohio. You'll support efforts to expand nutrition-focused food programs while helping shape resources used throughout Ohio's hunger relief network.

As a member, you might:

By joining, you'll gain hands-on experience in nutrition education, program evaluation, data analysis, communications, and community engagement while helping create healthier communities through innovative hunger relief efforts. This is a part-time position with a flexible schedule.

Join Healthy Harvest Corps as an AmeriCorps Member and help expand access to healthy food through innovative Food Is Medicine initiatives. You'll support programs that connect community members with nutritious food while gaining hands-on experience in public health, nutrition, and community engagement.

As a member, you might:

By joining, you'll gain valuable experience in nutrition education, public health, communications, program development, and nonprofit operations while making a meaningful impact in your community. Plus, you'll enjoy a flexible schedule with Fridays off!

Join Healthy Harvest Corps and support healthy food access and nutrition education through hands-on, community-based service. This role blends culinary education, urban agriculture, and meal program support to help ensure youth and families have consistent access to nutritious food.

As a volunteer, you might:

Through this role, you'll gain hands-on experience in nutrition education, urban farming, food service operations, and community engagement while helping build healthier food systems for youth and families.

Join Greater Cleveland Food Bank as a Healthy Harvest Corps AmeriCorps Member and help advance innovative Food Is Medicine initiatives that improve health and food access across Greater Cleveland. We're recruiting three members to support nutrition-focused programs that connect neighbors with healthy food and community resources.

As a member, you might:

By joining, you'll gain hands-on experience in public health, nutrition, healthcare partnerships, community outreach, and nonprofit operations while helping create healthier communities throughout Greater Cleveland.

Can't decide which you love more -- enjoying the Summer Music Series at RiverScape or supporting the Five Rivers MetroParks?!  Good news, you don't have to choose!  Beer and Wine Sales volunteers, age 21 and over, can do both when they assist staff by pouring and serving beer and wine for event participants. Staff members take the guess work out of the equation and will be on site to check identification to approve or deny service. Volunteers may be stationed inside the RiverScape Cafe, the Rentals Office or outside under a 10' x 10' tent. 

Proceeds from alcohol sales will further our mission of protecting the region's natural heritage and providing outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to individual, long-term, or short term volunteers, ages 21 and up who have qualified in Beer and Wine Sales Training.  Simply click the blue RESPOND button to sign up.

 Learn more about Special Events opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.