Opportunities From: Get Connected

AmeriCorps Members will support healthy food access and nutrition education initiatives serving the southern Ohio community. Members will lead interactive, youth-friendly culinary demonstrations featuring fresh, seasonal produce available through our garden and local food system partners. Members will research and develop weekly nutrition themes aligned with seasonal produce availability; create and test simple, culturally relevant recipes that families can prepare at home; and facilitate engaging healthy-eating demonstrations for youth and families. They will administer daily meals through our Summer Food Service Program. Conduct enrichment activities post meal service (games, crafts, educational activities). This position is ideal for individuals who enjoy engaging with youth and community members, and supporting equitable access to healthy foods. Join us for a fun and rewarding summer serving Scioto county youth! Apply here.

AmeriCorps Members will support healthy food access and nutrition education initiatives serving the southern Ohio community. Members will lead interactive, youth-friendly culinary demonstrations featuring fresh, seasonal produce available through our garden and local food system partners. Members will research and develop weekly nutrition themes aligned with seasonal produce availability; create and test simple, culturally relevant recipes that families can prepare at home; and facilitate engaging healthy-eating demonstrations for youth and families. They will administer daily meals through our Summer Food Service Program. Conduct enrichment activities post meal service (games, crafts, educational activities). This position is ideal for individuals who enjoy engaging with youth and community members, and supporting equitable access to healthy foods. Join us for a fun and rewarding summer serving NW Ohio youth! Apply here.

This project delivers weekly healthy snack demonstrations for youth, featuring seasonal produce and hands-on nutrition education. Each session highlights a featured fruit or vegetable, explains its health benefits, and engages children in preparing and tasting fresh snacks—many grown and harvested from The Foodbank Urban Garden. Participation and feedback from youth and parents are documented to strengthen programming and increase engagement. Beyond meals, enrichment activities promote whole-child wellness through active games, storytelling, and lessons on composting and soil health, including live worm compost demonstrations. The initiative also maintains an on-site community garden and composting program while offering educational tours for schools, donors, and community members, emphasizing food as medicine, local food systems, and the connection between soil health and human health. Apply here.

Gardens can be vibrant, hands-on spaces where children can explore, learn, and grow! They provide an exciting opportunity for kids to build essential skills, boost their confidence, and make meaningful connections. At Skeeter's garden, volunteers are the heart of our community, playing a vital role in engaging in gardening activities that transform our garden into a lively classroom.

If you love working with children and want to inspire the next generation, we invite you to join us! As a volunteer, you'll have the chance to guide kids in hands-on activities that teach them how to grow their own food, spark their curiosity about the fascinating creatures in the garden, and connect gardening tasks with fun physical activities.  Program Support volunteers do not need to be experts in the activities, but for this opportunity, should have some gardening knowledge, be enthusiastic about finding discoveries in the garden, and enjoy working with children and families.  

Participating in our gardening programs helps youth make significant strides in their academic, physical, social-emotional, and environmental development. These benefits are especially impactful for children facing barriers related to food security, health, and access to engaging learning experiences. Together, we can cultivate not just plants, but also a brighter future for our young learners! Join us in making a lasting difference.

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

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:

Adventure Central Program Assistant 2026

AmeriCorps Members will support healthy food access and nutrition education initiatives. Members will lead interactive, youth-friendly culinary demonstrations featuring fresh, seasonal produce and assists with youth field trips and agriculture-based learning. On the urban farm, responsibilities include planting, harvesting, maintaining hydroponic systems, and supporting farm development projects. In the kitchen, the member assists with meal preparation and service for Kid’s Café, ensuring food safety, quality standards, and accurate production. The role also supports meal packing, delivery logistics, and USDA program compliance. Additional duties include community outreach and gathering feedback to strengthen meal programs, ensuring youth and families have consistent access to nutritious food. Apply here.

AmeriCorps Members will support healthy food access and nutrition education initiatives serving the southern Ohio community. Members will lead interactive, youth-friendly culinary demonstrations featuring fresh, seasonal produce. Members will research and develop weekly nutrition themes aligned with seasonal produce availability; create and test simple, culturally relevant recipes that families can prepare at home; and facilitate engaging healthy-eating demonstrations for youth and families. They will administer daily meals through our Summer Food Service Program. Conduct enrichment activities post meal service (games, crafts, educational activities). This position is ideal for individuals who enjoy engaging with youth and community members, and supporting equitable access to healthy foods. Join us for a fun and rewarding summer serving Cincinnati youth! Apply here.

This position supports youth nutrition and engagement through hands-on education and meal service. The member administers weekly healthy snack demonstrations both in person and virtually featuring seasonal produce. Each session highlights a fruit or vegetable, explains its nutritional benefits, and encourages youth to try new foods. Feedback from parents and participants is collected to strengthen programming and increase participation. The member also supports daily operations of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), including tracking attendance and meal counts, distributing meals, promoting fruit and vegetable consumption, and ensuring proper cleanup. Enrichment activities are provided after meals and through social media to encourage active play and continued learning. Additional responsibilities include maintaining the on-site community garden and leading tours that educate youth and community members about growing food and the importance of local food systems. Apply here.

AmeriCorps Members will support healthy food access & nutrition education initiatives serving the Cleveland community. Members will lead interactive, youth-friendly culinary demonstrations featuring fresh, seasonal produce available through our garden & local food system partners. Members will research and develop weekly nutrition themes aligned with seasonal produce availability; create and test simple, culturally relevant recipes that families can prepare at home; and facilitate engaging healthy-eating demonstrations for youth and families. They will also participate in garden operations, including planting, weeding, watering, fertilizing, and harvesting. Conduct educational garden tours. This position is ideal for individuals who enjoy working outdoors, engaging with youth and community members, & supporting equitable access to healthy foods. Members will gain hands-on experience in nutrition education, urban agriculture, and community engagement while making a meaningful impact. Apply here.

Be a part of the OCAC's biggest night of the year - the 2026 Annual Gala!
Event hours: 6:30 - 10:30

This year's theme: Route 66: Get Your Kicks!

The event will include retro hors d'oeuvres, an open wine bar, bourbon tasting, casino games, a silent auction, and more!

Volunteers needed in two shifts*:
6:00 - 8:30PM: Greeters, Coat Check, Lite Bussing, or Food Replenishment.
(check-in for this shift starts at 5:45PM)

8:30 - 11:00PM: Greeters, Coat Check, Lite Bussing, or Food Replenishment.
(check-in for this shift starts at 8:15PM)

*Sign-up for both shifts is available for those wanting more hours

Dress: Comfortable party attire is required. This is a high-ticket event for the OCAC.
However - all shifts include lots of standing and walking, so wear COMFORTABLE SHOES.

Not a current OCAC Volunteer? Submit an application through the OCAC website today! 

THIS EVENT IS LOCATED IN LEXINGTON, KY 

~2 hours from Oxford 

~1 hour from Cincinnati 

We are gearing up for the K3DE April 23-26 and looking for volunteers to sign up to help at the event. This is a great opportunity for community service hours, as well as networking connections with leading industry leaders!

The links to sign up are shared below. Volunteers will receive a free 4-day ticket for volunteering just one shift, as well as access to the Hilltop Bio Volunteer Tent which provides endless swag, competitor meet & greets and of course, free food! We also have a few opportunities for event internships, which can be discussed separately – please send me and email with your resume and availability is that is of interest.

Scavenger Hunt Information booth

Chewy Demonstration Arena - Ring Setup

Hospitality Host/Hostess

Trade Fair Information Booth

Join us for the Interscholastic Wheelchair Basketball State Championship, hosted by Adaptive Sports Ohio at Cleveland Public Hall. This exciting event brings together the top school-based wheelchair basketball teams from across Ohio to compete for a state title. Volunteers play a vital role in creating a positive and inclusive championship experience for student-athletes with physical disabilities. Responsibilities may include admissions support, team check-in, hospitality, general event support. No prior experience with adaptive sports is required, just a willingness to help and be part of an inspiring day of competition and community. Come be part of an unforgettable championship atmosphere and help us ensure every athlete has A Chance to Play!

More information regarding this opportunity can be found here: https://signup.com/go/syKNfhb. Multiple shifts available. Business casual attire requested. 

Do you like getting your hands dirty, learning new skills, and supporting a variety of parks and conservation efforts? Get ready to join in the fun at the Hills & Dales Volunteer Workdays! You'll have the chance to get involved in a range of exciting park and conservation projects, such as gardening, tree plantings, invasive species removal, and mulching. It's a great opportunity to make a positive impact and enjoy the outdoors with a fantastic group of volunteers!

Urban woodlands like those at Hills & Dales are critical to the health and quality of life within our cities. They are dynamic ecosystems that provide clean air and water. This historical urban forest has been a natural refuge for Daytonians since 1907. Our Park Maintenance volunteers help to manage and sustain Hills & Dales MetroPark for park visitors to safely enjoy.

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

Learn more about Park Maintenance 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 are a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider these opportunities:

We are looking for compassionate, caring individuals 55 and older to serve as Foster Grandparents in structured settings such as schools, libraries, day cares, etc.

Foster Grandparents provide mentorship to at risk children through activities such as reading, fine motor activities, small groups, and more.  

Eligible Foster Grandparents may receive a small, non-taxable stipend that does not affect other benefits such as SNAP benefits, subsidized housing, social security, etc.  Foster Grandparents also enjoy mileage or public transportation reimbursement, paid holidays, 40 hours of benefit time every three months, paid training, and more.  

Communities are hungry for books! Access to great books keeps young readers on-track with literacy outcomes.  You can help Little Free Library fulfill its vision of a book for every reader by coordinating a local book drive. This book drive will support a Little Free Library in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. This book-sharing box needs books by diverse authors, middle grade books, YA books, and children's books. 

Register on our website to get started. If it's your first time signing up as a Team LFL volunteer, you will need to create an account in our online volunteer hub.

After you register, we will send you a book drive planning guide. Little Free Library staff and the Little Free Library caretaker (the steward) can answer your questions along the way. 

This is a flexible volunteer role. You can coordinate your local book drive during the times that work best for you and your community. 

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

Responsibilities:

Time Required: About 2 to 4 hours a week spent planning and coordinating. The book drive should be completed by spring 2026.

Training & Resources Available: We will help you get to know our organization and share our tips for planning a successful book drive. 

Qualifications:

Benefits: Experience the satisfaction of getting books into the hands of more readers. Connect with your community. Develop skills in planning and executing a project from start to finish. You’ll get a free Little Free Library t-shirt after you record your impact in the Team LFL online hub!

Supervision & Support: You can connect with the Little Free Library steward or Brianna, the Community Engagement Manager, to ask questions. 

We are seeking volunteers to run activities to occupy students while their parents attend parent teacher conferences. Students will help keep kids quietly occupied by playing board games and doing crafts in the school cafeteria

Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0949AFAC23ABF58-61713888-childcare#/ 

We are seeking volunteers to run activities to occupy students while their parents attend parent teacher conferences. Students will help keep kids quietly occupied by playing board games and doing crafts in the school cafeteria

Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0949AFAC23ABF58-61713888-childcare#/ 

Do you enjoy gardening, or are you curious to learn more about native plants and sustainable horticulture? Join the knowledgeable staff and fellow volunteers at Aullwood Garden MetroPark and get hands-on experience caring for one of Dayton’s premier historic garden estates. Help bring Marie Aull’s vision to life by supporting gardening practices rooted in local conservation, all within a peaceful setting along the Stillwater River.

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:

This Shadow Experience opportunity is for those volunteers in training to serve as an Equestrian Arena Assistant. You will be partnered with a qualified and experienced Staff Lead during this shadow experience to observe, learn, and practice the required skills.

Equestrian Arena Assistant volunteers assist staff in conducting lessons and camps at the Carriage Hill Riding Center. These volunteers are the eyes, ears, hands and heart that ensure each participant has a fun, safe, and engaging experience. These volunteers train and qualify as Barn Aides before training to become an Equestrian Arena Assistant. 

Impact

Arena Assistant Volunteers ensure a fun, safe experience riding lesson experience providing a connection to nature through high-quality equine programming. 

Tasks

Eligibility: This opportunity is open to Long-Term, Short-Term and Youth volunteers ages 14 and up who are currently in training to qualify as Equestrian Arena Assistants.

Additional Notes

See the Programming Volunteer Position Description for more detailed information. 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.

Equestrian Arena Assistant volunteers assist staff in conducting lessons and camps at the Carriage Hill Riding Center. These volunteers are the eyes, ears, hands and heart that ensure each participant has a fun, safe, and engaging experience. These volunteers train and qualify as Barn Aides before training to qualify as an Equestrian Arena Assistant. 

Impact

Arena Assistant Volunteers ensure a fun, safe experience riding lesson experience providing a connection to nature through high-quality equine programming. 

Tasks

Eligibility: This opportunity is open to Long-Term, Short-Term and Youth volunteers ages 14 and up who have qualified as Equestrian Arena Assistants.

Additional Notes

See the Programming Volunteer Position Description for more detailed information. 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 can enhance their canning skills by learning techniques and recipes while helping visitors experience this unique program. This demonstration program will involve a basic pressure canning overview, how to preserve a batch of cooked black beans, reviewing the instructions of the canner, and safety. Bean preparation will include sorting and preparing beans. 

Volunteers contribute their time and talents, adding excitement and perspective to activities at Carriage Hill Historic Farm, enriching the visitor experience. Program Support Volunteers engage in a range of fulfilling entry-level opportunities to bolster our programs—typically, no expert knowledge is required. Volunteers who support the cookery programs should have some culinary 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 the following volunteers: Long-term and Short-term. Learn more about our types of service here. 

Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position for more information on programming opportunities with us.  

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

Join us as we introduce our wildlife animal ambassadors to youth at Parkwood Elementary. Wildlife Ambassador volunteers are needed to help handle and present the animals at the wildlife ambassador booth including the turtles, snakes, owl, and hawk.

In this shadow experience, staff will work with you to show you how to confidently handle and interpret the animals to the public.

Five Rivers MetroParks Wildlife Ambassador volunteers assist with animal care and animal programming, sharing our conservation message with community members of all ages at a variety of programs, events, and outreach opportunities year-round.

Impact

Volunteers like YOU can share our conservation mission and the importance of healthy habitat for animals like them and people like us to a variety of audiences throughout our community.

Tasks

Eligibility: This is an opportunity for individual Long-Term volunteers who are qualified Wildlife Ambassador Animal Care volunteers.

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.

Join us for a second springtime Habitat Heroes program! Work with our stewardship department to become a hero for the environment and create a more sustainable and quality habitat. During this project, invasive buckthorn will be cut from the park. Tools and instructions will be provided. 

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.  

The Discovery Shop is in need of volunteers to join our housewares team. The job involves sorting or pricing housewares (such as glassware, home goods, and decorations), identifying vintage items, setting merchandise on the floor in an appealing way, and accepting donations at the back door. We are especially in need of volunteers in this role at the following times:

Thursday: 2pm-5pm

Friday: 8am-5pm

Saturday: 8am-5pm

Sunday: 12pm-4pm

Volunteers should be available for a minimum of two hours, but can stay as long as they like beyond that. Commitment to a consistent schedule is necessary. If you like sorting and organizing, investigating unique items, or merchandising, this is the role for you!

The Discovery Shop is in need of volunteers to test donations of electronics, lights, and similar devices. The job involves changing batteries, identifying good merchandise, and stripping wires. We are especially in need of volunteers in this role at the following times:

Tuesday: 8am-12pm

Thursday: 8am-5pm

Friday: 8am-5pm

Saturday: 8am-5pm

Volunteers should be available for a minimum of two hours, but can stay as long as they like beyond that. Commitment to a consistent schedule is necessary. If you like tinkering or repairing interesting donations, this is the role for you!

The Discovery Shop is in need of volunteers to help keep the store tidy and a pleasant place to shop for our customers. The job involves regular vacuuming and dusting, keeping the bathrooms clean, and cleaning up display glass. We are especially in need of volunteers in this role at the following times:

Tuesday: 8am-10am

Thursday: 4pm-7pm

Friday: 8am-10am

Volunteers should be available for a minimum of two hours, but can stay as long as they like beyond that. Commitment to a consistent schedule is necessary. If you take pride in keeping a space tidy and creating a warm and welcoming environment, this is the role for you!

The Discovery Shop is in need of volunteers to process and price donated clothing on select days of the week. The job involves sorting donations for acceptable items, pricing clothing (including vintage and designer items), and hanging clothing out on the floor. We are especially in need of volunteers in this role at the following times:

Wednesday: 3pm-5pm

Thursday: 12pm-5pm

Friday: 10am-5pm

Saturday: 8am-5pm

Volunteers should be available for a minimum of two hours, but can stay as long as they like beyond that. Commitment to a consistent schedule is necessary. If you like fashion, organization, and learning about special items, this is the role for you!

The Discovery Shop is in need of volunteers to work the front register on select days of the week. The job involves ringing up customers, collecting phone numbers and emails for the Discovery Rewards program, and keeping the area tidy. We are especially in need of volunteers in this role at the following times:

Monday: 10am-12pm

Wednesday: 10am-5pm

Thursday: 10am-12pm

Friday: 10am-5pm

Saturday: 3pm-5pm

Volunteers should be available for a minimum of two hours, but can stay as long as they like beyond that. Commitment to a consistent schedule is necessary. If you like people and getting to know their stories, this is the role for you!

Join Bogan Elementary in their Kids Night Out Event! 

Sign-up here Bogan Kids Night Out 

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.

School group size:  Beavercreek Main Elementary

114 2nd grade w/5 teachers +5 chaperones + paraprofessionals
program beginning between 10-10:15 AM, expected to wrap up guided program by 12:30.  Students will be broken up into multiple smaller groups and some self exploration.

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!

Eligibility: This opportunity is open to Short-term and Long-Term volunteers who have qualified as a School Program volunteer. Learn more about our types of service here. 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.

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.  

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. 

Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position for more information on programming opportunities with us.

Help us share our conservation message with the next generation while providing routine animal care for our most important ambassadors! Five Rivers MetroParks Wildlife Ambassadors assist our education team in sharing our conservation message with community members of all ages at a variety of programs, events, and outreach opportunities year-round. Wildlife Ambassador Animal Care Volunteers provide daily care for these important animal ambassadors year-round at the Twin Valley Welcome Center so that they can continue sharing our message. 

Impact

Volunteers like YOU provide hands-on daily care including monitoring, feeding, and cleaning to promote the health and well-being of our Wildlife Ambassadors so that they can share our conservation mission and the importance of healthy habitat for animals like them and people like us to a variety of audiences throughout our community.

Tasks

Eligibility: This is an opportunity for individual Long-Term volunteers who are 18 and older and is also open to family-friendly volunteers with adult volunteers (18 and up) with children ages 9 and up who would like to volunteer regularly together. Learn more about our types of service here. 

Additional Notes

Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Animal Care Volunteer Position Description for more information.  

Get Started! Visit the Wildlife Ambassador Training Page in our Training Library to see what training is required to become part of the Wildlife Ambassador Volunteers.

Give Native Trees a Great Start! Join our conservation and horticulture team at Cox Arboretum MetroPark to help care for young native trees and shrubs. Volunteers will use hand tools like shovels, rakes, and forks to remove old mulch and leaf litter, giving these plants a fresh start for the growing season. Afterward, we’ll work together to relocate the trees and shrubs to their proper spots in the holding area. This hands-on project is perfect for nature lovers who enjoy working outdoors and want to make a real impact on local conservation. Come get your hands dirty and help our native plants thrive! 

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.  

Under the supervision of the assigned staff, 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 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.

Help support the Kiwanis in the 4th annual Pancake day. Help cook, clean, and serve to the local community! 

Sign-up link to come!

(participation in this event including buying a ticket, eating pancakes, and/or making a monetary donation will NOT count for Miami University service hours but all volunteer shifts will) 

Join our Conservation team at Cox Arboretum to help plant the next generation of trees that will one day support wildlife, strengthen habitats, and shape the landscapes across our region!

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.  

Under the supervision of the assigned staff, 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 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.

Come learn, grow, and give back to the trails you love with this exciting trail maintenance volunteer opportunity! Led by our Trail staff, these trail maintenance opportunities will focus on revitalizing the trail systems in Englewood MetroPark. Learn alongside like-minded individuals on the whys and how's of building and maintaining a sustainable trail system on these hands-on workdays.

Volunteers who support Trail Maintenance help MetroParks provide safe, consistent, and high-quality trail experiences for visitors with varied interests and levels of abilities in a manner that protects and sustains the natural resources and habitats at each park.

Under the supervision of the assigned staff, support and assist with the following:

​Basic trail maintenance at Englewood MetroPark; Corridor clearing, drainage clearing, tread maintenance, and invasive removal.

Join our central Ohio team of compassionate volunteers and help bring comfort, companionship, and support to patients and families in need. Your time and kindness can make a world of difference in someone’s final journey. How you can help: ·      

No experience necessary- we will provide training and education. To get involved, contact Jennifer Porter at Jennifer.Porter@Compassus.com, or fill out a volunteer application on our website: Careers

Together we can provide comfort and dignity when it matters most.

Are you a veteran looking for a meaningful way to serve your community? Join our team as a Veteran-to-Veteran Hospice Volunteer and provide companionship, understanding, and support to fellow veterans in their final journey.

Why Veteran Volunteers Make a Difference

Veterans share a unique bond that goes beyond words. Your shared experiences can bring comfort and dignity to patients who served our nation.

What You'll Do

·       Providing Veteran to Veteran patients visits

·       Participating in Individual and community Pinning ceremonies to honor veterans and first responders

·       Facilitating connections with fellow veterans through group activities, discussions, or support groups

·       Organizing and participating in special events or ceremonies to honor veterans, such as Veterans Day celebrations or military branch-specific recognition events

·       Offering assistance with accessing veteran benefits, resources, and programs available through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Why Volunteer?

Who We're Looking For

Together, we can honor those who served and ensure no veteran faces the end of life alone. If you have the heart to serve, we would love to have you join our team! To get involved, contact Jennifer Porter at Jennifer.Porter@Compassus.com, or fill out a volunteer application on our website: Careers

Together we can provide comfort and dignity when it matters most.

Enjoy the outdoors and help others discover the beauty of nature in our parks at this program support opportunity! Experience in art is not required for this opportunity, but it can make the experience more fun. Click here to learn more about the Paint-A-Park programs including why they were developed and see examples of art created during these programs. 

Impact

Volunteers just like YOU ensure that our program participants are able to learn, grow, and connect with nature through a variety of high quality, nature-based programming offered in our parks.

Tasks

Eligibility: This is an opportunity for Long-Term and Short-Term volunteers who are 16 and older. Learn more about our types of service here. 

Additional Notes

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:

Help Preserve Our Parks' Stories! Do you love local history and want to make a lasting impact? Five Rivers MetroParks is seeking volunteers to help document the historical significance of our parks - especially those that joined our system from the City of Dayton in the 1990's. 

As a Historical Research volunteer, you'll collect and organize historical records, photos, and data researching park histories using archives, libraries and online resources, and catalog your findings into searchable formats for future interpretation. Best of all - you can work independently with regular check-ins with MetroParks staff. 

This research helps us document the historical significance of Five Rivers MetroParks and adds richness to how we can interpret the parks to the public.  

Move, groove and let's have some fun @ Tam-O-Shanter

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.

School group size: Mills Lawn Elementary

40 - Kindergarten w/ plenty of parent chaperones expected.  (Program 9:30 AM-11:30 AM).   Will be broken into smaller groups of students.

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!

Eligibility: This opportunity is open to Short-term and Long-Term volunteers who have qualified as a School Program volunteer. Learn more about our types of service here. 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.

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.  

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. 

Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position for more information on programming opportunities with us.

Help us learn about past and current events using iPads and printed material.

Do you love history and have skills in farming, historic restoration, and farm animal care you want to share? Would you like to discover what life would have been like living on a farm in the 1880s? Make an impact by helping staff in the fields, in the barns, and around the farm at the Daniel Arnold Historic Farm at Carriage Hill MetroPark. 

The Historical Farm at Carriage Hill MetroPark tells important stories that celebrate our agricultural heritage in the Miami Valley. This heritage includes a significant portion of our local landscape shaped by generations of farmers who groomed and cared for the land. Visitors to Carriage Hill Historical Farm will be immersed in 19th-century farm life, a time when the sustainable farm, home and craft practices we see today were simply practical. Within the preserved house and farm buildings there are demonstrations of heritage skills and crafts by living-history interpreters, both staff and volunteers. Caring for the animals and maintaining historical integrity is imperative to connecting visitors with its history.

Under the supervision of the assigned staff, volunteers will support and assist with the following:

A variety of farm chores including Barn and Animal Care including feeding, watering, stall cleaning. Animals include drafts horses, hogs, sheep, chickens, cows, and donkeys. 

Meet us at Grace Lutheran Church (4441 Monroe St., Toledo, OH  43613).  This ministry is designed to share the love of Christ with everyone, but with a special invitation to folks with developmental disabilities. It's a little bit of singing, a little bit of story, a little bit of praying, a little bit of craft. a little bit of snack, AND a whole lot of joy! EVERYONE is welcome!

Help our individuals play their favorite game . . . BINGO!

African Women for Change Network (AFNet) is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to support the AFNet 2026 Global Leadership Conference, a high-impact gathering of leaders, advocates, and change makers from across the U.S. and around the world.

This exciting event will feature professional networking, leadership sessions, and community engagement focused on empowering women and advancing global change.

We will be walking through woodlands, pulling and collecting garlic mustard before it has the opportunity to produce seeds.

Why do we pull garlic mustard?

Garlic mustard is a biennial herb that was introduced from Europe in the 19th century. Since its introduction, it has made its way across most of the United States, including every county in Ohio. Garlic mustard poses a threat to our native species by competing with spring flowers and suppressing soil fungi that have synergistic relationships with trees. By removing garlic mustard before it has the chance to produce seeds, we can help native species to thrive.

What to bring:

We recommend volunteers bring sturdy shoes that can get soiled, gloves if you would like them, and a water bottle.

Please complete the online volunteer waiver before arriving if you are a new volunteer. For returning volunteers, please update the waiver once per year.

Volunteers must be 18 years of age to participate unless accompanied by a parent.

Directions: This event will be on MTSO's campus and will start at the Seminary Hill Farm Barn. To reach the barn, enter MTSO's campus from Highway 23. Turn right at the stop sign and drive up the hill. Turn right again at the roundabout and park in the lot on your right. Once you park, look for an orange barn with five garage bays. We will meet near the eastern door of the barn, which is furthest away from the parking lot.

Rocket Blast is an end of year school carnival/celebration for the students.  It also serves as a fundraiser for the PTO.  There are food trucks, inflatables and carnival games along with a DJ.  The volunteers would be assigned to various event stations. 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0F45AEA62EA5FB6-62385391-rocket

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.

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 the following volunteers: Long-term and Short-term. Learn more about our types of service here. 

Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position for more information on programming opportunities with us.  

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

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.

Help Preserve Our Parks' Stories! Do you love local history and want to make a lasting impact? Five Rivers MetroParks is seeking volunteers to help document the historical significance of our parks - especially those that joined our system from the City of Dayton in the 1990's. 

As a Historical Research volunteer, you'll collect and organize historical records, photos, and data researching park histories using archives, libraries and online resources, and catalog your findings into searchable formats for future interpretation. Best of all - you can work independently with regular check-ins with MetroParks staff, or at scheduled shifts with fellow volunteers and MetroParks staff. 

This research helps us document the historical significance of Five Rivers MetroParks and adds richness to how we can interpret the parks to the public.  

Participants enjoy canoes and kayaks on a first-come-first-serve basis between 4:00 – 7:30pm.

All equipment provided. VOLUNTEERS will be responsible for checking participants in, fitting and sizing of life jackets and paddles, beginner instruction (when appropriate and comfortable), positive public interaction, and serving as safety eyes. Training provided at the time of volunteering.

Weather looking iffy? You'll hear about cancellation by 2:00pm (nothing if all is good). Contact Craig Spicer with questions 419-661-1697x3 cspicer@wcparks.org

Participants enjoy canoes and kayaks on a first-come-first-serve basis between 4:00 – 7:30pm.

All equipment provided. VOLUNTEERS will be responsible for checking participants in, fitting and sizing of life jackets and paddles, beginner instruction (when appropriate and comfortable), positive public interaction, and serving as safety eyes. Training provided at the time of volunteering.

Weather looking iffy? You'll hear about cancellation by 2:00pm (nothing if all is good). Contact Craig Spicer with questions 419-661-1697x3 cspicer@wcparks.org

Ohio University has the goal to increase the quality of life in Athens County through AmeriCorps members creating and supporting social and physical environments that promote good health and wellness for all. COMCorps will partner with host-site organizations which include schools, nonprofits, healthcare systems and county-level government agencies. Through service, members and organizations will address social determinants of health with a trauma-informed approach directing members in creative, community-generated solutions to pressing local needs. Members will create and support social and physical environments that promote good health through activities that address the social determinants of health by providing life-enhancing resources: healthy food supply, gardening, social connectivity, transportation, and knowledge of healthy habits. Members will promote a sense of community (social networks, social support, social participation, and/or community leadership) and increase access to programs that address poverty, childhood development, food insecurity, social exclusion, addiction, food, transportation, and health services. In every interaction, members will embody and model safe, secure, stable relationships for children and adults. COMCorps is where members turn passion into purpose. COMCorps strives for every member to have a transformative experience while serving. Anticipated member outcomes include a wider perspective on societal issues, an understanding of individuals who have had a life different than their own, a better understanding of self and unique skills brought to a variety of roles, greater confidence, an understanding of trauma-informed approaches to community care, and community collaboration. 

The Carter Historic Farm staff and volunteers have been working hard all year long to raise and produce food and champion sustainable agriculture. This Farm Breakfast will feature the harvest and reward of the good work. 

Help us greet guests, serve breakfast, and wipe down tables and chairs.

This event will be held at Otsego Park. Volunteers will have a chance to eat.

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 The following volunteers: Short-term and Long-Term who are 16 years or older, and who have completed the textile qualification. Learn more about our types of service here. 

Look for Additional Details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing!  See the Skilled Trades Volunteer Position for more information on skilled trade opportunities with us.  

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

Deep cleaning our facility in the kitchen, dorms, bathrooms, common areas and the laundry room.

Come learn to sew while helping the Seminary Hill Farm team protect our gardens from deer! 

Deer have poor vision. As a result, they sometimes try to go through fences they don’t see and end up getting caught. Warning flags can alert deer to the presence of fences, preventing deer from running into them by mistake. The warning flags can also serve as a visual deterrent, reducing the number of deer willing to try jumping into a garden or vegetable field. 

What will the event involve? 

We will be turning old clothes, towels, blankets, and sheets into deer-warning flags.  These flags are simple, rectangular pieces of cloth, hemmed on three sides and folded over on the top. They will hang along our fences to alert deer to their presence. 

We will provide instructions on how to construct the flags, as well as introductions to hand sewing and sewing machine operation. We hope this will also be a time for sewists of all skill levels to connect and share experiences and tips. 

Who is this event for? 

This event is for anyone who is interested! We particularly invite individuals who have never sewn before to join. We hope this can be an opportunity for you to gain some experience hand sewing or using a sewing machine, so you can become inspired to tackle crafting, mending, and repurposing projects around your own home. Skilled sewists will be especially appreciated for their volunteering support and the technical knowledge they bring.  

Children under 18 are welcome to attend provided they are accompanied by a parent or guardian; this is a requirement of MTSO policy. Children interested in learning to sew must be of sufficient capacity to do so safely.  

What should you bring? 

We invite you to bring along any old clothes, towels, etc. that you would like to repurpose into flags.  

We will have a couple sewing machines available to use. If you own a sewing machine and would like to bring it, we invite you to do so.

Directions:

This event will be held in Dewire Residence Hall at Methodist Theological School in Ohio. To reach Dewire Hall, enter MTSO’s campus from Highway 23. Turn right at the stop sign and drive up the hill. Turn right again at the roundabout and park in the lot on your right. We will meet at the southeast entrance to Dewire Hall (closest to Seminary Hill Farm).

If you are running late, you can enter through that door and take the stairs immediately to your right to go down to the basement. Follow the hallway to the right, and then around the corner to the left. We will be in a classroom on the left, next to the kitchen.

Please complete this Volunteer and Social Media Waiver prior to attending. If you are a returning volunteer, this form needs completed only once per year.

VITAS is looking for kind and caring volunteers to help terminally ill patients and their families. When you make friendly visits, run simple errands, provide a listening ear, and offer the gift of friendship at a crucial time, you can make a real difference in another's life. Yours, too!
Take advantage of numerous volunteer opportunities, including:
• Sitting with a patient while the caregiver takes a break
• Making friendly visits to patients and their families at home or in a nursing home
• Driving a patient to appointments
• Accompanying a patient to a church function, wedding, beauty shop, play, or ballgame
• Running errands to the grocery store, drug store, or post office
• Assisting with programs and special events
VITAS provides free training and orientation for volunteers to help learn the skills required to be an outstanding hospice volunteer. Volunteering also strengthens your resume for a post-college career.

VITAS is looking for kind and caring volunteers to help terminally ill patients and their families. When you make friendly visits, run simple errands, provide a listening ear, and offer the gift of friendship at a crucial time, you can make a real difference in another's life. Yours, too!Take advantage of numerous volunteer opportunities, including:• Sitting with a patient while the caregiver takes a break• Making friendly visits to patients and their families at home or in a nursing home• Driving a patient to appointments• Accompanying a patient to a church function, wedding, beauty shop, play, or ballgame• Running errands to the grocery store, drug store, or post office• Assisting with programs and special eventsVITAS provides free training and orientation for volunteers to help learn the skills required to be an outstanding hospice volunteer. Volunteering also strengthens your resume for a post-college career.

VITAS Healthcare is looking to hire musical volunteers to help terminally ill patients and their families express themselves when words fail them. Musicians go into nursing homes and assisted living communities to play a musical instrument and/or sing to help add quality to a hospice patients life. This volunteer position require approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour of patient visitation per week. Time is flexible.  

VITAS Healthcare is looking to hire musical volunteers to help terminally ill patients and their families express themselves when words fail them. Musicians go into nursing homes and assisted living communities to play a musical instrument and/or sing to help add quality to a hospice patients life. This volunteer position require approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour of patient visitation per week. Time is flexible.  

Love kids? Spend your time hanging out with the most adventurous youth in Dayton! The after-school program at Adventure Central promotes positive youth development, education, and leadership skills using an environmental foundation in a welcoming, safe, fun, and active setting. These kids are just bursting with energy and excitement! Depending on where the greatest need is for the day, the Program Assistant may spend time helping in the homework room, assisting in the kitchen during mealtimes, or outdoors monitoring play time and getting roped into all sorts of shenanigans from playing in the creek to jumping rope, to gaga ball!  Volunteers may also assist in the girl's or boy's group discussions and activities.

Volunteers will build trusting and positive relationships that strengthen values, build lasting life skills, and encourage an eagerness to explore life’s possibilities.  

Eligibility

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

Visit the Adventure Central Training Resources page in our Training Library to see what training is required for this opportunity.

Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position for information on programming volunteer opportunities with us.

The Carter Historic Farm staff and volunteers have been working hard all year long to raise and produce food and champion sustainable agriculture. This Farm Breakfast will feature the harvest and reward of the good work. 

Help us greet guests, serve breakfast, and wipe down tables and chairs.

This event will be held at Otsego Park. Volunteers will have a chance to eat.

Historic Blacksmiths are Historic Interpreter volunteers who train and receive qualification through Five Rivers MetroParks' as an historic blacksmith. Volunteers acting as program assistants are current Historic Blacksmiths who have volunteered for at least 5 years in the Blacksmith shop, and have assisted in the training and mentoring of new volunteers.  The classes are to build knowledge, start some skills, and encourage volunteerism at the Historic Farm.   

Volunteers for this opportunity will be supporting the staff during a public program.  It DOES NOT REQUIRE PERIOD APPAREL! 

The individuals who volunteer their time and talents in the Blacksmith Shop help make it possible for others to experience these 19th Century skills that are still relevant today, create interest in these skills, enhance a more personalized experience in a program, and allow us to support the historic farm. Volunteers allow the interpretive teams to 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 the following volunteers: Long-term volunteers who have qualified as a historic blacksmith for a minimum of 5 years. Learn more about our types of service here. 

Parking & Meeting Instructions: Please park in the historic farm parking lot and walk to the Blacksmith Shop.  Click here for a map of Carriage Hill MetroPark.  Volunteers should arrive a little early to allow for parking and getting to class location.  Staff leads will orient volunteers to the day's agenda and other important information. 

Environment & Physical Demands: This program takes place outdoors in the Blacksmith Shop. Volunteers may participate in some bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects to 20 lbs or more. Blacksmith volunteers will be hammering hot metal for periods of time to demonstrate various techniques.  There will be smoke, fire, hot objects, and tools that require you to be careful and work safely in a small space.

Dress: Volunteers do not need to wear period apparel. Volunteers should dress for the weather, and wear their MetroParks name badge.

Look for Additional Details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing!  See the Skilled Trades and Programming Volunteer Position for more information on programming and skilled trades opportunities with us.  

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

Hospice Volunteer - Cuyahoga County and surrounding areas!

Volunteer activities available

-Sitting with patients to provide companionship, play games, and offer a friendly, comforting presence.

-Sending encouraging letters and cards.

-Assisting in light household chores and errands.

-Calling patients and their families to check on needs.

-Making blankets, quilts, pillows, and crafts for our patients.

-Providing support to our bereaved families by assisting with mailings, phone calls and in-home grief support visits.

-And so much more!

Qualifications: 

-Maintain confidentiality 

-Ability to work independently and take directions well. 

-Empathetic listening skills 

-Ability to understand and tolerate hardship stories. 

Time Commitment:
-Time commitment is flexible and can work around your schedule and availability. 

VITAS is looking for caring individuals to share their voice and time as Proactive Caller Volunteers to help terminally ill patients and their families.
If you enjoy talking on the phone and have time to make check-in calls, you may be a perfect ProActive Caller Volunteer.
Our Proactive volunteers make “check-in” phone calls to our hospice patients and their family members.
You can work from your dorm room, apartment, home, or the VITAS office. You’ll call patients at home, asking how they are doing, checking on needed supplies, listening, and identifying any service concerns.
VITAS provides free volunteer orientation to help you learn the skills required to be an outstanding volunteer caller. Volunteering can strengthen your resume for post-college job interviews and careers.
For more information about VITAS Volunteer Services, visit: https://www.vitas.com/volunteer.

VITAS is looking for kind and caring volunteers to help terminally ill patients and their families. When you make friendly visits, run simple errands, provide a listening ear, and offer the gift of friendship at a crucial time, you can make a real difference in another's life. Yours, too!
Take advantage of numerous volunteer opportunities, including:
• Sitting with a patient while the caregiver takes a break
• Making friendly visits to patients and their families at home or in a nursing home
• Driving a patient to appointments
• Accompanying a patient to a church function, wedding, beauty shop, play, or ballgame
• Running errands to the grocery store, drug store, or post office
• Assisting with programs and special events
VITAS provides free training and orientation for volunteers to help learn the skills required to be an outstanding hospice volunteer. Volunteering also strengthens your resume for a post-college career.
For more information about VITAS Volunteer Services, visit: https://www.vitas.com/volunteer

VITAS is looking for caring individuals to share their voice and time as Proactive Caller Volunteers to help terminally ill patients and their families.
If you enjoy talking on the phone and have time to make check-in calls, you may be a perfect ProActive Caller Volunteer.
Our Proactive volunteers make “check-in” phone calls to our hospice patients and their family members.
You can work from your dorm room, apartment, home, or the VITAS office. You’ll call patients at home, asking how they are doing, checking on needed supplies, listening, and identifying any service concerns.
VITAS provides free volunteer orientation to help you learn the skills required to be an outstanding volunteer caller. Volunteering can strengthen your resume for post-college job interviews and careers.
For more information about VITAS Volunteer Services, visit: https://www.vitas.com/volunteer.

VITAS invites friendly and well-behaved pets to join the Paw PalsSM program, in which animals and their humans learn how to visit patients at the end of their life. A registered VITAS Paw PalsSM visitor can offer comfort, bring back memories, encourage activity and provide unconditional love to VITAS patients. Your visits leave behind memories of you and your pet, and rekindle thoughts of other pets.
Pet visits can sometimes reach a patient when no one else can. Our Paw PalsSM brightens the day for everyone when they visit.
All kinds of pets are invited to join the VITAS Paw Pals Club.
Paw PalsSM must be well-groomed, at least one- year old, and have up-to-date health records.
For more information about VITAS Volunteer Services, visit: https://www.vitas.com/volunteer.

VITAS invites friendly and well-behaved pets to join the Paw PalsSM program, in which animals and their humans learn how to visit patients at the end of their life. A registered VITAS Paw PalsSM visitor can offer comfort, bring back memories, encourage activity and provide unconditional love to VITAS patients. Your visits leave behind memories of you and your pet, and rekindle thoughts of other pets.
Pet visits can sometimes reach a patient when no one else can. Our Paw PalsSM brightens the day for everyone when they visit.
All kinds of pets are invited to join the VITAS Paw Pals Club.
Paw PalsSM must be well-groomed, at least one- year old, and have up-to-date health records.
For more information about VITAS Volunteer Services visit: https://www.vitas.com/volunteer.

VITAS is looking for kind and caring volunteers to help terminally ill patients and their families. When you make friendly visits, run simple errands, provide a listening ear, and offer the gift of friendship at a crucial time, you can make a real difference in another's life. Yours, too!
Take advantage of numerous volunteer opportunities, including:
• Sitting with a patient while the caregiver takes a break
• Making friendly visits to patients and their families at home or in a nursing home
• Driving a patient to appointments
• Accompanying a patient to a church function, wedding, beauty shop, play, or ballgame
• Running errands to the grocery store, drug store, or post office
• Assisting with programs and special events
VITAS provides free training and orientation for volunteers to help learn the skills required to be an outstanding hospice volunteer. Volunteering also strengthens your resume for a post-college career.

Those peaceful garden strolls at Aullwood don’t maintain themselves. This project focuses on refreshing the garden pathways that guide visitors through the grounds, helping ensure they stay smooth, sturdy, and welcoming for everyone who explores the gardens. Your support helps keep the experience enjoyable from the first step to the last. 

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 tasks:

Help run carnival games including musical chairs, sucker pull, bowling, etc. Helping with inflatables and bouncy castles only volunteers 18+ 

Signup link to come

ProMusica’s 2026 Soiree Benefit and Concert featuring Samara Joy will be on Monday, March 23, 2026. The event starts with a cocktail party at 5:30 PM at The Westin Great Southern Hotel Ballroom (310 S High St, Columbus, OH 43215) followed by the concert at 7:30 PM at the Southern Theatre (21 E Main St, Columbus, OH 43215).

Five-time Grammy Award–winning vocalist Samara Joy joins us for our 2026 Soirée Benefit & Concert! Hailed as one of today’s most exciting jazz artists, Samara has captivated audiences with her rich, velvety voice and deep musical maturity beyond her years. Rising to international prominence after winning the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, she brings a fresh, contemporary spirit to the classic jazz tradition, redefining the genre for a new generation.

As our largest fundraiser, we rely on volunteers to fill some roles: setup, registration tables, raffle ticket sales, greeters, and breakdown. We have a brief training upstairs in the room next to the ballroom to ease you in your role when you arrive the day of. The expected time commitment would be arriving at 4:15 PM and wrapping up around 8:00 PM. If you need to arrive a little later or leave a little earlier, that would be fine, just let us know in advance to coordinate. All volunteers are more than welcome to stay after the cocktail party is over to enjoy the remaining part of the concert (Please note: Seats are not guaranteed, but we welcome you to stand and listen at the main floor with the staff and ushers). At the end of your volunteer shift, you will also receive a voucher for a ticket to an upcoming concert! We ask that volunteers dress in cocktail attire.

On Thursdays, the Su Casa team is looking for a volunteer to assist with:

Your help will make a big difference in getting fresh food to those who need it!

Share your love for the Market with visitors at Passport to MetroParks! We're trying to spread the word about our incredible 2nd Street Market and all that it offers the community. If you love the Market and enjoy events, this might be the opportunity for you.

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.

Join us indoors at the 2nd Street Market supporting an evening of delicious food and quality entertainment during this year's Culture Kitchen, themed dinners. Dinners will take place each month from April -October. View the schedule here.

Impact

Program Support volunteers make programs like Culture Kitchen possible!

Tasks

Eligibility: This opportunity is open to individual, long-term, or 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.

Want to Branch Out? Consider this opportunity: 

Market Custodial Support

Celebrate Earth Month by supporting the Carolyn Kimes Tree Seedling Giveaway at the 2nd Street Market!

Kristie Fisher and her mother Carolyn Kimes started giving away tree seedlings over 25 years ago. Since her mother’s passing, Kristie has kept this annual, community-loved tradition alive at the 2nd Street Market. In celebration of Earth Day, visitors will be able to select from a variety of free tree seedlings to take home and plant. Deciduous and coniferous trees will be available while supplies last.

Impact

Program Support volunteers make giveaways like this one possible - extending our mission into the community.

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.

Join us for the 2nd Street Market's 2nd Annual World Down Syndrome Day Celebration!

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.

Astronomy connects with solar energy for this special program for Spark Homeschool. Volunteers should enjoy working with families, be excited about exploring the sky, engage families in astronomy activities, and share their time and talents to support the programming team to put excitement and perspective into this unique program.   Astronomy Assistant volunteers will assist with the assembly and use of the education telescope. The volunteer opportunity is for those familiar with astronomy and will assist with the astronomy activities and training program support volunteers for their roles in activities.   

Volunteers enable us to accomplish so much more by lending a hand in various activities.  They may demonstrate proper use of specialized equipment (ie. telescope), share their skills and experience to increase additional volunteer participation, and introduce other volunteers and participants to exciting science and night sky exploration. 

This is an opportunity for the following volunteers: Short-Term and Long-Term. Learn more about our types of service here. Volunteers must complete the Astronomy Assistant Interest and Assessment and Interview to qualify for this opportunity.

Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position for more information on other programming opportunities with us.  

Individuals who volunteer their time and talents help put excitement and perspective into the activities offered by our programming teams.   Astronomy Assistant volunteers will assist with the assembly and use of the education telescope, help children and their teachers be able to find points of interest in the sky and get them excited to explore the sky. This volunteer opportunity is for those familiar with astronomy and will assist with the astronomy activities and assist in training program support volunteers for their roles in activities.   

Volunteers enable us to accomplish so much more by lending a hand in various activities.  They may demonstrate proper use of specialized equipment (ie. telescope), share their skills and experience to increase additional volunteer participation, and introduce other volunteers and participants to exciting science and night sky exploration. 

This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Short-Term and Long-Term Volunteers. Learn more about our types of service here. Volunteers must complete the Astronomy Assistant Interest and Assessment and Interview to qualify for this opportunity.

Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position for more information on programming opportunities with us.  

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.

School group size:  Mark Twain Elementary 

80 -  Kindergarten students, 20 chaperones.   Will be broken into smaller groups of students.

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!

Eligibility: This opportunity is open to Short-term and Long-Term volunteers who have qualified as a School Program volunteer. Learn more about our types of service here. 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.

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.  

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. 

Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position for more information on programming opportunities with us.

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.

School group size:  Shawnee Elementary 

60 -  Kindergarten w/ 8 chaperones (program 10 AM-12 PM, group staying for lunch).   Will be broken into smaller groups of students.

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!

Eligibility: This opportunity is open to Short-term and Long-Term volunteers who have qualified as a School Program volunteer. Learn more about our types of service here. 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.

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.  

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. 

Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position for more information on programming opportunities with us.

NorthStar Home Hospice is calling on local veterans, including those who have served or are currently serving in the military, to provide companionship and supportive visits to veterans in hospice care, who live in their own homes or assisted living facilities throughout the Greater Cincinnati area, including Fairfield, West Chester, and Middletown.

As a Veteran to Veteran volunteer you can provide much needed comfort and companionship through friendly visits to local veterans in hospice care, strengthened by the bond of military service. You can also participate in pinning ceremonies, and other events where we honor our veterans' service to our country.

Volunteers are an integral part of our hospice team, and we provide you with ongoing support, comprehensive onboarding/training, and screenings at no cost to you. Once you complete your orientation and screenings, we will strive to assign you close to your home or work, and based on your schedule and availability.

Become part of a special and make a difference in the lives of fellow veterans when they need it most!

You can complete our volunteer application at the following link:

https://www.volgistics.com/appform/2124156212

NorthStar Home Hospice is locally owned and operated. We care for our neighbors in Butler Co. and throughout Greater Cincinnati.

We are seeking compassionate people to join our volunteer team to make friendly visits to patients living in their own homes or long-term care facilities in Fairfield, West Chester, and Middletown.

Some of the ways YOU can make a difference...

Volunteers are an integral part of our hospice team! We provide ongoing support, comprehensive orientation/training, and screenings at no cost to you. Once you complete your orientation and screenings, we will strive to assign you close to your home or work, and based on your schedule and availability.

Become part of something special and make a difference in the lives of local hospice patients when they need it most!

Click the link below to complete the volunteer application!

https://www.volgistics.com/appform/2124156212

NorthStar Home Hospice is locally owned and operated, serving the Fairfield and throughout the Greater Cincinnati area. We are dedicated to providing compassionate, personalized care that honors the dignity and wishes of our patients and their families.

We are looking for pet therapy teams to visit our patients living in their own homes and in long-term care facilities in Fairfield, West Chester, and Middletown. Visits from dogs and their human counterparts can lift hospice patients' spirits, be a calming presence, and make them smile at a time when they need it most.

If you're already a certified/registered pet therapy team we want to hear from you now! If your dog is not certified/registered yet, check out one of the organizations below for details how to make it happen:

We provide the human member of the team with ongoing support, comprehensive orientation/training, and screenings at no cost to you. Once you complete your orientation and screenings, we will strive to assign you and your dog close to home, and based on your schedule and availability.

Your dog must have:

Become part of something special and make a difference in the lives of local hospice patients!

Complete the volunteer application at this link:

https://www.volgistics.com/appform/2124156212

NorthStar Home Hospice is locally owned and operated and we are committed to providing compassionate, personalized care to our patients who are living in their own homes or long-term care facilities throughout the Greater Cincinnati area, including Butler County. We currently have opportuinities to share companionship and comfort to patients in Fairfield, West Chester, and Middletown.

At NorthStar Home Hospice, we believe in neighbors helping neighbors. If you're a senior with a caring heart, your presence can mean the world to another senior on their final journey. Being a hospice volunteer is profoundly rewarding and there is no previous experience needed or personal care involved.

Some of the ways YOU can make a difference when visiting patients:

We provide volunteers with:

You can complete the volunteer application at the following link:

https://www.volgistics.com/appform/2124156212

Delaware Arts Festival May 16-17, 2026

The 51st Delaware Arts Festival welcomes you back to Downtown Delaware for two days of art, fun, food and entertainment the whole family can enjoy.

We do this each year to offer three scholarships in the visual arts to graduating Delaware County high school seniors who plan to study art in an institution of higher education.  The Festival is open Saturday 11 am to 7:30 pm and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm.  Volunteers will be needed as early as 6 am on Saturday and 8 am on Sunday.   We can schedule you for as little as two (2) hours up to the entire day. These are the areas that we need volunteers on the days of the Arts Festival:

1) Booth Sitters- they step into a booth to allow the vendor to go to the restroom/pick up something to eat.

2) Traffic Control- assists with the incoming vendor traffic and the exiting at the end of the show.

3) Unload Tables & Chairs

4) Set up Tables & Chairs

5) Trash Can Placement/bag removal and replacement

6) Hospitality House-all positions filled

7) Unloading Assistance

8) Loading Assistance

9) Runners

10) Tear Down Assistance

11) Watchperson

12) Row Supervisor

13) Barricade Tender

14) General Clean-up- includes clearing tables/chairs in Entertainment Section

15) End of Festival Tasks

16) Hauling to Storage

Thank you again for expressing an interest in volunteering during this year's Delaware Art's Festival for Scholarships. 

Feel free to reach out by text or email if you have any further questions.  Put in subject line:  Volunteer at 2026 Delaware Arts Festival.  Email:  mrsjoekidd@aol.com.   We look forward to volunteering with you.

Grow vegetables for food insecure communities. Each season Seminary Hill Farm distributes vegetables to People in Need of Delaware County and Linden Fresh Market. We focus on greens (spinach, lettuce, chard, collards, kales, bok choi and more) and fresh herbs. The Community Greens field covers .25 acre (100x110 feet) and is exclusively for distribution to food insecurity partners.

Volunteer time frame:

Wednesdays from 10am-noon. (April-November); Thursdays from 6 pm-8pm (May-November)

Connect with Laura Ann at seminaryhillfarm@mtso.edu to learn more. 

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:

Looking for a way to support MetroParks' gardening efforts in our downtown parks? Do you enjoy promoting beautiful green spaces in an urban setting? Learn and apply effective horticulture techniques with plants chosen for their horticultural benefits, while fostering healthy biodiversity for pollinators.

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 assigned staff, volunteers will support and assist with the following:

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.

School group size: Our Lady of the Rosary

36-  3rd grade w/ 3 chaperones (program begins at 11 AM).   Will be broken into smaller groups of students.

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!

Eligibility: This opportunity is open to Short-term and Long-Term volunteers who have qualified as a School Program volunteer. Learn more about our types of service here. 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.

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.  

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. 

Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position for more information on programming opportunities with us.

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.

School group size:  International School 

41 - 3rd grade w/ 4 chaperones (program 10-11:30 AM)  Will be broken into smaller groups of students.

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!

Eligibility: This opportunity is open to Short-term and Long-Term volunteers who have qualified as a School Program volunteer. Learn more about our types of service here. 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.

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.  

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. 

Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position for more information on programming opportunities with us.

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.

School group size:  International School 

31 2nd-grade students w/ 4 chaperones (program 10-11:30 AM).  Will be broken into smaller groups of students.

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!

Eligibility: This opportunity is open to Short-term and Long-Term volunteers who have qualified as a School Program volunteer. Learn more about our types of service here. 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.

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.  

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. 

Look for additional details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Programming Volunteer Position for more information on programming opportunities with us.

Garlic mustard is a biennial herb that was introduced from Europe in the 19th century. Since its introduction, garlic mustard has made its way across most of the United States, including every county in Ohio. It poses a threat to our native species by competing with spring flowers and suppressing soil fungi that have synergistic relationships with trees. Because garlic mustard competes with the plants that native animals need for food and shelter, the whole woodland ecosystem is affected.

If you enjoy spending time alone in nature, this may be the opportunity for you. Volunteers will be assigned zones that they can tend at a time of their choosing. 

Volunteer commitment time frame: Mid-April to early June. This coincides with the timing of garlic mustard emergence and seed production. After training, volunteers are able to serve at a time that is convenient for you. 

Teams are welcome.