Falling Leaves, Rising Impact
As the leaves begin to fall, they remind us that change is a natural part of life. Each season brings its own beauty, purpose, and opportunity to grow. The leaves may change, fall, and become part of the earth, but their purpose does not end. They nourish what comes next. The same can be said of the lasting impact volunteers make in our communities. Every act of service, every connection, and every moment spent caring for others and the places we share becomes part of something greater. The leaves may fall, but the impact of people coming together continues to grow.
Every Season Has a Purpose
This month, we celebrate Healthy Aging Month and the powerful idea that everyone has value, purpose, and the ability to make an impact. Growing older is about continuing to live, learn, connect, contribute, and discover new opportunities. Like a tree that grows stronger through every season, our experiences can give us wisdom, resilience, creativity, and the ability to inspire others. At MetroParks, we see this every day. Our parks and programs create opportunities for people of all ages and stages of life to learn something new, share their talents, build relationships, and give back. A child discovering nature for the first time, a teenager gaining leadership experience, a family volunteering together, a working adult sharing professional skills, or a longtime volunteer passing along knowledge. There is a Place for YOU at MetroParks!
Volunteering is not limited by age. Bringing generations together can make our community stronger. Younger volunteers bring energy, curiosity, and new ideas. Adults bring skills, experience, and leadership. Older adults bring knowledge, perspective, and stories that help connect the past with the future. When these strengths come together, everyone has something to give, and something to gain. Opportunities to Grow, Give, and Connect The Fall season brings special opportunities to see this kind of connection in action: - The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience kicks off the season with opportunities to explore, learn, and try something new. Behind these memorable experiences are hundreds of volunteers who contribute their time, talents, and enthusiasm to help create an event where people can connect with the outdoors and one another. - Make A Difference Day turns small acts of service into meaningful, lasting impact. Families, friends, neighbors, and volunteers of all ages come together to care for our parks and demonstrate what is possible when people work side by side. These are more than events on a calendar. They are opportunities to discover a new interest, develop a skill, meet someone new, spend time with family, or simply find a meaningful way to contribute. The opportunities don't stop with events either. This Fall we're also opening up recruitment for new Carriage Hill Riding Center volunteers. Consider giving back by taking care of our horses and ponies as a new Barn Aide volunteer. Ages 14 and up are welcome to begin training! Training dates will be available in November. At MetroParks, there is an opportunity for everyone to participate, contribute, and grow. You can find opportunities for youth volunteers ages 14-17, opportunities for families to serve together with young children, opportunities for short-term or seasonal volunteers, groups, and ongoing, long-term volunteers. There are also opportunities for public or single day volunteers with no commitment to ongoing service. When we all work together, we see the creativity, patience, knowledge and kindness that each person brings. Just as individual pieces can come together to create something meaningful, our talents, stories, relationships, and acts of service can become strong when we connect them. Sometimes impact comes through a large volunteer project. Sometimes it is as simple as inviting someone to join you for a walk, listening to a child who needs encouragement, welcoming a new volunteer, or sharing a conversation around a picnic table. Just as fallen leaves nourish the soil for new growth, our care for one another can create hope and make room for brighter seasons ahead. Our parks give us countless opportunities to make those connections. Take time for family and friends. Plan a simple hike at the MetroPark closest to you. Share a meal at a picnic table. Discover nature with a child through one of our programs. Learn a new skill. Try a new outdoor experience. Invite someone to volunteer with you. Or participate in one of our upcoming events. Wherever you are in life, there is a place for you at MetroParks.
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For this month's Staff Lead Bingo*, Cox Arboretum Horticulturalist Todd Strong shares how the dedication of Cox's gardening volunteers and Garden Ambassadors has continued to grow throughout the season, creating an impact that reaches well beyond the garden beds.
"It has been hot, and it has continued to rain bringing along humid, sometimes uncomfortable weather. While the weather has been hot, humid, and less than ideal for us, it has been great for plant growth! That means weeds haven't stopped, but lucky for us, either have our volunteers! Our dedicated volunteers here at Cox Arboretum show up weekly no matter the temperature (although we encourage all volunteers and staff leads to monitor conditions and plan accordingly). It is this kind of dedication that keeps our park looking so beautiful. We love our volunteers and appreciate their hard work!
I especially want to highlight our Garden Ambassadors. This year we have onboarded several new Ambassadors for the Maimon Memorial Garden (MMG). The Garden Ambassadors focus their efforts in the MMG, helping with weeding, planting, harvesting, and much more. This group has been instrumental in the success of the garden and our ability to donate produce to our community. At the time of writing this, we have donated over 870lbs since May this year with more being donated weekly. Our last delivery was our largest yet, topping 200lbs for a single week. This puts us 300lbs ahead of last year to date. This is no small feat, ad it couldn't be done without our dedicated volunteers. Even though the summer months can be a little warm, the work never stops, and neither do our volunteers. I want to extend my gratitude to all the volunteers at Cox Arboretum, and throughout the entirety of Five Rivers MetroParks!!! Your hard work and the relationships that are built are treasured by all of us at Five Rivers! Thank you for everything you do!!!" - Todd Strong, Horticulturalist and Staff Lead, Cox Arboretum MetroPark
*Staff Lead Bingo is a game organized by Volunteer Services for all staff who engage and lead volunteers. It encourages them to think about how they are engaging and leading volunteers, to make time for volunteer communication and appreciation, and to share what they are learning with other staff leads. Staff Leads who submit a bingo (5 volunteer engagement activities in a row) are entered into a raffle where they can win great prizes for their volunteers. View more Volunteer Spotlights in our blog here.
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Love horses? Enjoy Working Outdoors?
Whether you love animals, want to learn more about horse care, or are looking for a meaningful way to give back, we'd love to welcome you to our Volunteer Barn Aide team! Our volunteers help care for the horses that inspire and educate visitors everyday while creating memorable experiences for everyone who visits.
This is a great opportunity for animal lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone interested in working with horses. As a Barn aide, you'll play an important role in supporting the health and well-being of our horses and helping keep the barn clean, safe, and running smoothly. Volunteer duties include feeding and watering horses, assisting with grooming, cleaning and bedding stalls, sweeping aisles, and helping with other daily barn tasks.
No horse experience? No problem! Our experienced staff will provide hands-on training along with opportunities to learn by doing, shadowing our qualified barn aide volunteers. We'll make sure you feel comfortable and confident before signing up for volunteer shifts.
Because our horses rely on the care and consistency of our volunteers, we ask each Barn Aide to commit to at least 8 shifts per calendar year.
Ready to get started? New Barn Aide volunteer recruitment season starts NOW through November. Click the blue VOLUNTEER button below to begin your virtual training today!
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Adventure Central Program Assistants:
Make a difference at Adventure Central! Adventure Central's after-school program helps young people build confidence, leadership skills, and a love of learning through positive youth development and environmental education. It is a welcoming, safe, fun, and active environment. We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help make afternoons meaningful and memorable by supporting the kitchen staff with meal prep, serving, and clean up; helping students with homework, especially during the return of the school season; encouraging young readers during story time; or simply playing games, having fun, and being a positive role model.
If you enjoy spending time with kids, want to have fun, and are looking for a rewarding way to make a difference in a child's life, we'd love to have you join us at Adventure Central! Click the blue VOLUNTEER button below to learn more, view available volunteer shifts, and sign up.
 Program Support at The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience:
The annual Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience is right around the corner, and we need YOU! Volunteer opportunities are available now with a high need for Program Support volunteers. Experience the excitement of the outdoors while helping Five Rivers MetroParks create an unforgettable community event. This event is filled with "Try It" activities that invite participants to step outside their comfort zones, learn something new, and discover the joy of outdoor adventure. Behind every great experience is a great team. Our Program Support volunteers, help ensure that every activity is safe, welcoming, engaging, and fun! Whether you're helping someone try paddlesports for the first time, supporting action sports, or welcoming anglers to the Fishing Village, your time and energy can make a lasting impact. Join the Five Rivers MetroParks volunteer team and help our community make memories, discover new adventures, and experience the outdoors together. Explore program support opportunities available below or click the blue VOLUNTEER button to explore all the event volunteer opportunities. Try Paddlesports Opportunities - - Line and Safety Assistant - Boat Assistant - Life Jacket Assistant - Safety Boater (requires prior training) Action Sports Opportunities - - Tot Track and Pump Track - Try Cycling and Mountain Bike Loop - Climbing Wall - Slackline - Fishing Village
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The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience: Special Events Volunteers Needed!
Come one, come all!
There is a place for everyone at The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience! With hundreds of slots available, and no extra qualification needed for most opportunities, You are guaranteed to find a great way to support this amazing free event that introduces people to adventure in the outdoors.
Something for Everyone
Whether you're a real go-getter and love to engage the public with your friendly demeanor or if you prefer to support guests with your clerical and organizational skills making sure visitors understand safety policies and procedures, you are needed at the Info Central and Waiver Support station! This year we are offering a division of labor with signups specifically for Waiver Station as well as the combo offering at the main entrance. And your welcoming smile and love for Five Rivers MetroParks is always needed at the Marketing booth.
Connect and Demonstrate Your Values
For those who prefer to support staff and volunteers from behind the scenes, your assistance as the Hospitality Tent Support will maximize your service impact. Want to help visitors learn more about how they can also make an ongoing difference? This event is a waste free event. Join us on the Sustainability Team and demonstrate ongoing ways to sustain and conserve resources.
Don't Miss Out!
With such a broad range of opportunities, you don't have to choose between participating and serving at this incredible event. help us get this event started on the right foot with Exhibitor Support and Set Up and then you'll still have the whole weekend free to attend the event! And of course what goes up, must come down. After an action-packed weekend, you can help us restore the park to it's pre-event status as part of the Tear Down crew.
No matter what your skill set or interest, there is a place for You to volunteer at The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience. (Of course it's even more fun with friends, so invite your besties to join us too!) View all the event volunteer opportunities by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
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Textile Workdays:
Cooler weather is the perfect time to gather, create, and share the skills that keep our textile traditions alive! Carriage Hill is looking for volunteers with an interest in sewing, crocheting, knitting, and weaving to join our Textile Workdays. Whether you're an experienced textile artist or eager to learn something new, there are a variety of ways to get involved, behind the scenes and by helping with demonstrations and classes.
Volunteers play an important role in preserving history and caring for cherished textiles, from repairing historic pieces to creating period-appropriate clothing and supporting hands-on learning experiences. Curious about learning something new? Opportunities may include learning to use a knitting machine, exploring the art of weaving, and discovering other traditional textile techniques. We also welcome youth ages 16 and up to participate, build skills, and explore their creativity.
Ready to join us? Click the blue VOLUNTEER button below to learn more and sign up.
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This event would not have been a success without your volunteer skill sets and positive attitudes. Not even the downpours and overcast skies could dampen or deter you!
