 Volunteer Positions & Upcoming OpportunitiesSummer volunteers wanted - come on out and support your MetroParks in July! Volunteers are critical during the summer season to maintain our gardens, our trails and to care for our horses at the Carriage Hill Riding Center. Additionally, we offer many programs and events during the summer season for youth, families, and adults to get outside and connect with nature. Volunteer support is critical to ensuring these programs and events are successful. See something that interests you, but have questions? Contact a Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or call #937-275-7275. Looking for opportunities where we need the most help right now? View our high-need, high-priority opportunities here.
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. |
AmbassadorAmbassadors 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.  Volunteers get to enjoy great music while welcoming guest to Riverscape and help make coming downtown for a Riverscape event seamless. Summer Music Ambassador:
Master Recycler volunteer, Ann Wallace, enjoys supporting sustainability efforts at a variety of MetroPark events. Master Recycler - First Friday Concert Support: Support our waste-free initiative this summer! Master Recyclers are needed to help support First Friday concerts at RiverScape. Help support our natural spaces by keeping waste out of the parks and teaching others how to do so! Master Recycler volunteers build awareness of Five Rivers MetroParks' role in sustainable living and practices to community members while supporting our Waste Free Initiative. Master Recyclers assist with educating the public, managing waste stations, and setting up and tearing down waste stations.
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Animal CareAnimal 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.  Carriage Hill Riding Center volunteers help keep our horses cool during hot temperatures this season - thank you volunteers! |
 The Carriage Hill Riding Center:The Carriage Hill Riding Center is especially busy during the summer season, and we need the support of all of our qualified Barn Aides and Pony Ride Assistants! Sign up for a few shifts this season to ensure our horses, ponies, and visitors receive the care they deserve. Barn Aides Pony Ride Assistants Click the blue VOLUNTEER button to learn more and sign up to make a difference.
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Park MaintenanceFive 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.  Volunteer Matt McCurry helps to clean the 2nd Street Market during his Market Custodial Support shift - thanks, Matt! Market Custodial Support: Love spending time at the 2nd Street Market? Want to give back to this awesome community hub? Well, do we have the perfect opportunity for you! We're on the lookout for some extra helping hands to tackle custodial tasks on weekend afternoons. Picture this: you'll be the superhero of cleanliness, keeping the market clean and tidy during operating hours, with some light sweeping, table tidying, and trash removal after closing. And the best part? You'll be doing it all indoors, so you can stay cool and comfortable while contributing to the community, making it a great option for those who want to give back but prefer to avoid the hot July heat! Click the blue VOLUNTEER button to learn more and sign up to make a difference.   Service Saturday volunteers help maintain the trails at MetroParks Mountain Biking Area (MoMBA). Join us, Saturday, July 20th!
Looking for a no-commitment opportunity to support your MetroParks? Services Saturdays are scheduled for the third Saturday of each month from 9 am-Noon, kicking off in May and concluding in September. These public volunteer service days are an easy and convenient way for community members to support our mission and make a difference at Five Rivers MetroParks! Look for projects at Cox Arboretum MetroPark, Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, and MetroParks Mountain Biking Area. Click the blue VOLUNTEER button to learn more and sign up to make a difference. |
ProgrammingFive 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.
Ready to support our Paddlesport programs? Paddling a kayak, canoe, stand-up paddleboard (SUP) or other paddle craft is a great way to explore nature and enjoy the region's various water features. Program support volunteers are critical in ensuring we can provide high-quality, engaging programming like these to the public. You don't need to be an expert paddler to help with registration, life jackets or be a boat assistant! Click the blue VOLUNTEER button to learn more and sign up to make a difference.
Astronomy Assistant Volunteers: Are you interested in Astronomy? Do you enjoy working with youth and families? Astronomy Assistant volunteers are needed to support astronomy programs in our parks and in the classroom. Click the blue VOLUNTEER button to learn more and sign up to make a difference.
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Skilled TradesFive 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.  Historic Blacksmiths and Historic Woodworkers: Did you know the historic craft shop volunteers, blacksmiths and woodworkers, are part of the Historic Interpreter team at Carriage Hill MetroPark? Join us on the historic farm this summer. No experience is needed, we will train you! Click the blue VOLUNTEER button to learn more and sign up to make a difference. |
Special EventsFive Rivers MetroParks provides an array of outdoor events and large programs throughout the year for residents of the Miami Valley to get connected to recreation, music, history, family, and most of all nature. Special Event volunteers serve a critical role in ensuring that each special event or large-scale program runs smoothly from set-up to tear down.
Beer and Wine Sales and Support: Enjoy attending our many programs and events at RiverScape MetroPark? Why not give back while you're there! Volunteers, 21 years and older, can give back by supporting Beer and Wine Sales at a variety of MetroParks programs and events at RiverScape MetroPark this summer. Proceeds from alcohol sales will further our mission of protecting the region's natural heritage and providing outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature. Training is required and is conveniently offered online. Click the blue VOLUNTEER button to learn more and sign up to make a difference.
Come out to support the farm, learn how to live a little more sustainably, and have some fun as a volunteer with this year's Small Farm and Food Fest, a whole day dedicated to eating healthy, small farms, hobby farming, and homesteading skills! Educational talks on a variety of subjects will be held throughout the day from the Carriage Hill MetroPark Visitor Center and throughout the Historic Farm. Not available on Saturday, then consider the Set up and tear down opportunities available. Click the blue VOLUNTEER button to learn more and sign up to make a difference.
The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience: Save the date for this year's Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience Saturday, October 5th and Sunday, October 6th at Eastwood MetroPark! Volunteers will be needed for setup, tear down, event sustainability, action sports, paddlesports, and more! Opportunities will be available here starting July 8th. |
Volunteer Opportunities Available to Support Our Partners! The Wegerzyn Gardens Foundation: The Wegerzyn Gardens Foundation is looking for a few volunteers to help with their annual Garden Party fundraiser on September 12, 2024, from 3-8pm. Volunteers will help with set up for the event and tear down at the end of the night. If you're interested in volunteering and learning more about this opportunity email foundation board vice president and volunteer coordinator Rich Gillette at r.j.gillette@gmail.com. Foundation volunteers are needed year-round 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. Notre Dame Mission Americorps Volunteers: Are you looking for an extended service opportunity supporting your Five Rivers MetroParks? Want to build your resume? There are several Americorps service positions available now supporting your Five Rivers MetroParks. We are actively recruiting for the following positions: -Germantown MetroPark - The School Engagement Naturalist will learn many of the skills needed to become an environmental educator by working with the Green Schoolyards program to help promote youth access to gardens and habitats. Members also provide animal care, assist with programming and community outreach, and train volunteers. Please contact Doug Horvath Doug.Horvath@metroparks.org for more details. -Cox Arboretum MetroPark -The School Engagement Naturalist works with schools in the Miami Valley to promote opportunities for students and teachers to connect with nature. Members will assist with field trips, trainings, and the development of education materials. They will gain experience with both environmental education and working with teachers and administrators. Please contact Pamela Lyons Gromen Pamela.LyonsGromen@metroparks.org for more details. |
Thank you for volunteering!
Left to Right: Allie Zimmerman, Amanda Wheatley, Yvonne Dunphe, Janelle Leonard, and Jenny Hymans are all excited to support you as you support your Five Rivers MetroParks. 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. Your Volunteer Services Team Yvonne Dunphe- Outdoor Connections Programming #(937) 277-4147 Allie Zimmerman- Parks & Conservation #(937) 274-3176 Janelle Leonard- Business Operations & Animal Care #(937) 277-5445 Amanda Wheatley - Special Events & Visitor Services #(937)275-7275 Jenny Hymans- Human Resources Manager of Volunteer Services #(937) 567-1413  Return to the Volunteer Blog here. |
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Jun 30, 2024
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by Volunteer Services
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