Situated on Wolf Creek, and adjacent to Adventure Central, it's hard to believe this picturesque natural area is located within the city. Wesleyan provides a gathering spot for friends and family to meet and experience the outdoors just down the street. Learn more: https://www.metroparks.org/places-to-go/wesleyan/
In this edition of the Volunteer Newsletter:
- Feature: We Need YOU at this year's Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience!
- Volunteer Spotlight: Helen Schmenk - Enjoying Time with the Horses while Giving Back!
- Volunteer Positions & Opportunities: The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience, Fall Family Adventures, Make a Difference Day and more!
- Get Connected Tech Tip: Qualifications! Why are they important?
- Staff Highlight: Welcome Amanda Wheatley, NEW Volunteer Coordinator!
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We Need YOU at this year's Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience!
We are just days away from our biggest event of the year and the Midwest's Premier Outdoor Adventure Festival, the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience at Eastwood MetroPark! There's still time to sign up and make a big difference for MetroParks and our community this weekend. 200 volunteers are still needed to help us ensure a safe, fun, family-friendly experience for the 20,000+ visitors we anticipate will attend this event Saturday, October 7th and Sunday, October 8th. Have you signed up for a shift? If you have--thank you! Know of someone who might like to help? Please share this information with your coworkers, friends, family members, neighbors and everyone you know to help us reach our volunteer goal and ensure this is the best event yet.
Some of our critical needs areas for volunteers are:
- Try Paddlesports
- Try Cycling Areas including the Mountain Bike Loop and Tot Track
- Sustainability Team
- Information Central
- Waiver Station Ambassador
- Five Rivers MetroParks Booth Ambassador
- Five Rivers MetroParks Merchandise Assistant
View all of the available volunteer opportunities at the event here.
Volunteer Perks: Volunteers at this event have access to special Volunteer Parking and Hospitality all weekend long including a free meal before or after your volunteer shift during the event weekend. Plus, volunteers serving 25 hours or more with Five Rivers MetroParks can receive our volunteer t-shirt, 50 hours or more-our volunteer hat, and new this year, 75 hours or more our brand-new long-sleeved volunteer shirt.
Need more reasons to join us at this year's event? Check out this article: 4 Great Reasons to Attend the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience
Of course, we believe there's no better way to experience the event than by joining the team that makes the magic happen. We hope you'll join us this weekend for the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience.
Thank you for all of your support!
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Helen Schmenk - Enjoying Time with the Horses while Giving Back!
Helen has been a riding lessons and summer camps participant since she was young, so when she learned about the volunteer opportunities at the Carriage Hill Riding Center, she saw it as a great way to spend more time with the horses.
Over the summer, Helen spent a couple of days a week at the Carriage Hill Riding Center, assisting with Pony Rides and volunteering as an Arena Assistant. She enjoys helping with the summer camps and riding lessons, especially the vaulting classes! When asked what she likes best about volunteering, she said she looks forward to spending time with the horses, as well as the staff and other volunteers. Some of the people she has taken lessons with over the years have become close friends, and they enjoy volunteering together.
Tearlinda Rhoton, Riding Center Staff member says "Helen continues to show us how important our youth volunteers are to the MetroParks. She approaches every shift with dedication, a willingness to learn, and a work ethic you don't find in many adults. This impressive young lady can be counted on to walk riding trails beside nervous new riders, help out with pony rides and camps, and be a mentor/ my assistant in the beginning vaulting classes. She is a greatly valued member of the Riding Center volunteer team."
At this time last year Helen was unsure of her future career path, but now she is considering studying the field of Equine Science. She said her experience at the Riding Center has taught her something valuable about herself - "that being around horses makes her happy" and brings her satisfaction. Helen has served over 170 volunteer hours at the Carriage Hill Riding Center.
Thank you, Helen for your outstanding commitment, dedication, and service to Five Rivers MetroParks!
Learn more about volunteering at our Carriage Hill Riding Center here.
Sign up for the upcoming in-person Barn Aide training here.
Meet more amazing Metroparks' volunteers in our monthly Volunteer Spotlights here.
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Volunteer Positions & Upcoming Opportunities
See how you can support your Five Rivers MetroParks this season. View our upcoming volunteer opportunities below. Don't forget to FAN the Volunteer Positions you support. When you FAN a volunteer position you receive a weekly digest email for that position that includes new volunteer opportunities. It also lets your Volunteer Services team know that you are interested in that position and its opportunities.
See something that interests you, but have questions? Contact a Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or call #937-275-7275.
View our high-need, high-priority opportunities here.
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Ambassadors are often the first friendly face a visitor sees welcoming them to the park and can be counted on to share helpful information and answer a variety of questions. Are you a people person? Here is a great opportunity to share your enthusiasm for Five Rivers MetroParks, 2nd Street Market, and shopping local!
Carol Williamson, 2nd St. Market Ambassador, greets everyone with a smile and shares the specials happening at the Market!
Market Ambassador:
Support the 2nd Street Market this Season! Join us in the vibrant, bubbling atmosphere of the 2nd Street Market, where you'll always run into a familiar face! Volunteers will be stationed near the entrance and will greet visitors, conduct sales of MetroParks merchandise, provide wayfinding assistance, and promote the MetroParks by passing out literature. Learn more and sign up by clicking the blue volunteer button below.
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Ambassador Opportunities at the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience:
Volunteers just like YOU are needed to help us create the magic of the region's premier outdoor adventure festival The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience! Are you a people person? The visitor experience starts with are ambassador volunteers and can set the tone for their visit. Our Ambassador volunteers are the friendly faces that greets all visitors, directs people to the fun activities, provides helpful information, and answers a variety of questions. Here are our high need ambassador opportunities:
- Event Ambassador
- Waiver Station Ambassador
- Merchandise Assistant
- Information Central Ambassador
- MetroParks Booth Ambassador
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Animal Care volunteers support staff in caring for farm animals and wildlife animal ambassadors at a variety of our parks. These animals support MetroParks' mission by connecting the public to nature and education on local history, conservation, and small site sustainability.
Riding center volunteers know the importance of clean stalls!
NEW! Carriage Hill Riding Center Barn Aides:
Calling all Horse Lovers! Fall Onboarding for new Carriage Hill Riding Center Volunteers! Do you love being around horses? Don't mind getting your hands a bit dirty? Consider joining our team of Carriage Hill Riding Center Volunteers! Barn Aide Volunteers assist with essential daily tasks of our equestrian facility such as cleaning stalls, turning horses out to pasture, and providing them with fresh food and water. All new Riding Center volunteers begin as Barn Aide, and then can complete additional training to assist with Pony Rides, Lessons, Camps, and Trail Rides.
Note: This opportunity is open to volunteers ages 14 or older. All volunteers at the Carriage Hill Riding Center begin as Barn Aides. Click the blue volunteer button to learn more about this opportunity and respond to begin the easy online training.
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Five Rivers MetroParks provides clean, safe parks and conservation areas for the public to enjoy year-round. Our Park Maintenance volunteers help to manage and sustain 18 beautiful parks, 11 conservation areas, and 160 miles of hike, bike, mountain bike, and horseback- riding trails for park visitors to safely enjoy.
Volunteers help keep our trails in shape and safe, and they even have time for a quick photo break during a trail workday!
Trail Maintenance:
TRAIL SUPPORT! If you love the outdoors and want to help keep trails in good condition, join us at our trail maintenance volunteer opportunities! We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help keep our trails in tip-top shape for all visitors to enjoy. No experience necessary, just a willingness to get your hands a little dirty and a love for the great outdoors. Plus, you'll get to meet some like-minded folks and maybe even spot some wildlife along the way.
- HIGH NEED! Sugarcreek Trail Maintenance
- HIGH NEED! Possum Creek Trail Maintenance
NEW! Grounds Maintenance at CHRC:
We are grateful for our hardworking staff and volunteers who take great care of our horses at the Carriage Hill Riding Center. However, we need some extra help in maintaining the grounds. We are looking for volunteers who can assist us in clearing the plants and small trees that are growing along the fence lines of our pastures. Additionally, we need help in managing the overgrown plant beds situated in front of the Riding Center Barn. Learn more and sign up to support this opportunity by clicking the blue volunteer button below.
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Five Rivers MetroParks provides a wide variety of high-quality programs to help the public get outside and get connected to nature. Programming volunteers work alongside staff to provide support at programs year-round that help participants master new skills, learn about the natural world, and appreciate the value of open spaces.
Volunteer Anthony Starr enjoys helping the young students with homework at Adventure Central.
Adventure Central Program Assistant:
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, active setting. These kids are just bursting with energy and excitement! The Program Assistant spends 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! Learn more and sign up to support this opportunity by clicking the blue volunteer button below.
Volunteer Patrick Kennedy helps new paddlers get started and enjoy their time on the water.
Try Paddlesports at the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience:
Help us ensure a safe and fun paddling experience at this year's event! This one of the most popular "try it" areas at the event and is designed to get participants comfortable on the water and teach basic paddling skills. Volunteers are needed to support life jacket fitting, line and safety monitoring, boat assistants helping participants in and out of boats, and those who have completed training, can serve as Safety Boaters on the water. Learn more and sign up by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
MetroParks fishing volunteers help prep supplies before participants arrive.
Fishing Program Support:
Know someone who likes to fish, maybe even likes to fly fish? Fishing can be a fun all year activity and we are excited to help people get the skills they need with programs available for people of all ages. We're looking for fishing volunteers and fly fishing volunteers to support a variety of upcoming fishing programs and the fishing area at the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience! Volunteers help build access, comfort, convenience, and safety into our programs for all interested in learning. Although you don't need to be an expert to provide fishing program support, there are helpful video you can review in the training library. View the fishing videos for some skill reviews here. Ready to get involved? Learn more and sign up by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
Program Support: Children's Garden Field Trips at Wegerzyn
Join our education team in connecting school-aged children to the natural world through gardening and meaningful exploration of the outdoors! These interactive school field trips engaging young learners in a variety of activities and topics such as soil science, plant identification, guided nature hikes, and basic gardening tasks. Learn more and sign up to volunteer at this fun opportunity by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
Amy Korpieski, Historic Interpreter volunteer, shares her talents and time explaining the importance of canning.
Historic Interpreter:
Historic Interpreter volunteers bring history to life, engage guests in simple activities, and demonstrate some skills important in 1800's and today.Carriage Hill MetroPark is looking for volunteer to serve as Historic Interpreters to help bring the historic farm to life year-round. No previous experience or training is required. All you need is a love of history and a willingness to share it with others. We'll trainyou on the rest! Learn more and sign up to get started by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
NEW! Not sure if this opportunity is right for you, but interested in learning more?
Join us at a new program on the farm-Artisan Skills and Cookery, Saturday, November 4th at Carriage Hill MetroPark. Our Historic Interpreter volunteers and staff will be offering a variety of demonstrations giving you the chance to see them in action and learn more to see if you might like to join the interpretive team. Mark your calendars and plan to join us on the farm! You can learn more about this exciting new program here.
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Five Rivers MetroParks takes pride in the variety of hands-on, skilled trades opportunities we offer, both in historical and modern-day settings. Our Skilled Trades volunteers help drive our mission forward by assisting with maintenance projects in fabrication, repair, and interpretation.
Volunteer Sue White works on the treadle sewing machine to help demonstrate for visitors at Carriage Hill.
Textile and Fiber Arts:
Did you know skills like sewing, crocheting, knitting, and weaving are highly valued and in need? We are excited to start offering more opportunities for volunteers to share these valuable skills in support of MetroParks. Currently, we are looking for volunteers with sewing skills to support opportunities at Carriage Hill MetroPark and Possum Creek MetroPark. Some of these opportunities are behind the scenes, some are in program support, and some are at Carriage Hill Historic Farm as part of the Historic Interpreter opportunities. Learn more and sign up by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
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Event volunteers ensure that a positive, high-energy, outdoor enthusiasm tone starts at the welcome, and the event appears seamless and effortless for all who participate.
The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience:
Volunteers just like YOU are needed to help us create the magic of the region's premier outdoor adventure festival! More than 400 volunteers, ages 14 and up, of all experience levels are needed to support a variety of needs throughout the event including event set up, tear down, action sports, try paddling, information support, sustainability, and much more.
As the region's premier outdoor adventure festival, more than 17,000 active outdoor enthusiasts and families attend this exciting event at Eastwood MetroPark. Join us to volunteer for pre-event opportunities starting Monday, October 2, or for the event on Saturday, October 7 and Sunday, October 8 at Eastwood MetroPark for this year's Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience!
Learn more about this year's event, view available volunteer opportunities, and sign up to volunteer by clicking the blue volunteer button below.
Fall Family Adventure:
Help us celebrate the beauty and joy of the Fall season at this year's Fall Family Adventure at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, Saturday, October 21st! This program provides opportunities for families to learn how animals and plants change in the fall while enjoying games, crafts, face painting and a yummy marshmallow roast. Participants can explore the prairie and then hear wonderful tales from a storyteller, enjoy live music, a magician, meet Animal Ambassadors, learn the secrets of spiders, and stroll through the beautiful gardens. Refreshments will be provided. Volunteers make it all possible by supporting a variety of family-friendly activities and assisting with event set-up and tear-down. Learn more and sign up to support this wonderful Fall program by clicking the blue volunteer button below.
Make A Difference Day:
Join us Saturday, Oct. 28 from 9 AM to noon for Make a Difference Day at Five Rivers MetroParks! Community members of all ages will work at various sites throughout Five Rivers MetroParks to help us clean up our parks and prepare for the winter season. Make a Difference Day is a great way to get outside and give back this October. Register your family, friends, or your work group and get everyone outside to make a difference! Learn more and sign up by clicking the blue volunteer button below.
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Gail Ulrich, Wegerzyn Gift and Garden Shop volunteer, helps pick out the perfect gift.
Support Our Partners
Wegerzyn Gardens Foundation:
Foundation volunteers are needed to support the Gift and Garden Shop, located at the 2nd Street Market. Proceeds from the gift shop support special projects and programs at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark. For more information or to become a Wegerzyn Gardens Foundation volunteer, please email contact@wegerzyngardensfoundation.org.
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Get Connected Tech Tip
Qualifications! Why are they important?
If you have responded to one of our long-term volunteer opportunities, you have completed a series of qualifications. Qualifications are requirements set up to be completed in the Get Connected site before you can complete a response to a volunteer opportunity and sign up. All of our long-term volunteer opportunities require 3 main qualifications: a complete Volunteer Profile with your name, mailing address, phone number, and birth date, your Emergency Contact information, and a signed Volunteer Handbook. Some volunteer opportunities, public volunteer opportunities, only require emergency contact information.
While the term qualification is new to us, the idea is not. Before Get Connected, volunteers were required to complete these same steps in-person and on paper. Volunteers attended an in-person volunteer orientation, completed a volunteer application and signed a paper copy of our volunteer handbook.
Some volunteer opportunities require more qualifications than these standard 3 onboarding qualifications. Some require training and check off qualifications. Additionally, some may require a Motor Vehicle Screening. You can view each volunteer opportunities qualifications in the opportunity listing under Shifts and before Additional Details.
Note: Many qualifications will need to be renewed after a period of time. For example, equipment and vehicle qualifications expire annually requiring updated training and check off, and for vehicles, a new motor vehicle screening.
To view your complete qualifications, go to your volunteer account menu (next to your photo or initials) and click "Qualifications". Scroll down to the bottom of this list to see the qualifications you have completed, view expiration dates, and more.
If you have questions about qualifications, reach out to your Volunteer Services team for assistance at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or call #937-275-7275 an ask to speak with a Volunteer Coordinator.
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Staff Highlight: Amanda Wheatley
New Volunteer Coordinator
Staff Highlights are a great way for volunteers to get to know our staff and for staff to share their work with volunteers.
Welcome Amanda Wheatly to your dedicated Volunteer Services team! If you've ever made a call to Five Rivers MetroParks chances are you've been greeted by Amanda's welcoming voice and served by her can-do attitude. Amanda started her journey with us as a Visitor Services Representative helping visitors, staff, and volunteers get the information and support they need.
Customer service has always been important to Amanda. In her previous position as the Assistant Facility Coordinator at the Rosewood Art Center, her "passion for non-profit work was ignited, and that passion drove me to apply to work at Five Rivers MetroParks." Amanda has worked for over a year with our ambassador volunteers serving at our visitor centers. She has enjoyed working with this group of volunteers and learning from them. She says the "volunteers bring years of knowledge about the parks to aid in the questions from the public! Along with this service, they are bright lights shining on our days and help to keep company on slower days and brighten moods on dreary days."
Amanda began crafting and sending email updates to these volunteers highlighting park news and highlights that volunteers could share with our park visitors. As a staff lead, she says an important aspect of the role is showing gratitude for the gift of service that our volunteers offer. "Volunteers give their time, knowledge, skills, and so much more in order to serve their community and their gifts are so valuable! MetroParks would not be able to operate at the same level of excellence without the support of our wonderful volunteers and the impact of their work is evidenced across the agency and our community." With Amanda's passion for giving back, it's no surprise that she too is a MetroParks volunteer. She currently volunteers to support the Textile and Fiber Arts opportunities at Carriage Hill MetroPark.
Amanda says she enjoyed her time as a Visitor Service Representative (VSR) but is excited to move into the new role of Volunteer Coordinator in October. She looks forward to building strong relationships with volunteers and staff and to continue her work of connecting the community to nature, now through high-quality, meaningful volunteer service.
Thank you, Amanda for choosing to build a career and give back to Five Rivers MetroParks! We are excited to have you join the Volunteer Services team!
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Thank YOU for volunteering!
Have you met us yet? Allie Zimmerman, Jenny Hymans, Janelle Leonard, Yvonne Dunphe, and Amanda Wheatley are all excited to see you at one of our MetroParks events or at our monthly Volunteer Open Houses!
Volunteer Services
Volunteer Services is available if you have questions or need assistance in signing up. Contact us at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275.
You can find us in the field and at our monthly Volunteer Open House Sessions. We are at Cox Arboretum on the 2nd Tuesday and Carriage Hill on the 4th Thursday. Use this link to sign up for one of the Volunteer Open House sessions.
Your Volunteer Services Team
Yvonne Dunphe - Outdoor Connections Programming #(937) 277-4147
Allie Zimmerman - Parks & Conservation #(937) 274-3176
Janelle Leonard - Business Operations & Visitor Services #(937) 277-5445
Amanda Wheatley - #(937) 275-7275
Jenny Hymans - Human Resources Manager of Volunteer Services #(937) 567-1413
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