Volunteer Appreciation

Summer Care Campaign

Volunteer Services wants to help keep you cool while you service with us this summer. We'll be providing cold treats at scheduled volunteer shifts beginning July 15th through August while supplies last.

VIP Items

Have you hit a service milestone?

Request your volunteer shirts, hats, and milestone service pins here and we'll bundle your items up and deliver them to the closest Visitor Center or your next scheduled volunteer opportunity.

Need a new volunteer name badge? You can request that too. Click here.

Volunteer Discounts

Volunteers have started using their new volunteer discounts on MetroParks programs, shelter rentals, and more... have you?

New this year, we expanded our VIP, Volunteer Incentive Program to include volunteer discounts. Volunteers with 25 or more hours with us in 2023 qualified for discounts between 25-50% on MetroParks programs and routine rentals. Qualifying volunteers received an email with instructions and a discount code for applying their discount. Volunteers who qualify with 25 hours or more in 2024, can expect to receive their discount in January 2025. Discounts are good all year long and can be applied multiple times so you can enjoy MetroParks programs and rentals all year long. Think of it as a "thank you" for your dedicated service each time you use it from us. 

Check out the July issue of MetroParks Monthly for some great programs you may want to attend utilizing your volunteer discount:

Below you'll find a list of programs and events for all ages, from children to lifelong learners, in addition to MetroParks must-dos, sustainability tips and information on what's growing in the parks this month. Take a deeper dive into your areas of interest by signing up for MetroParks' email newsletters and following Five Rivers MetroParks on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. PROGRAMS Active Outdoors  Try Mountain Biking: July 9 - 4 to 7 p.m. at Huffman MetroPark Try Paddlesports: July 11 - 4 to 7 p.m. at Eastwood MetroPark Fly Fishing 3: Smallmouth Bass: July 13 - 9 a.m. to noon at offsite location Advanced Level Summer Horse Camp: July 15 - 9 a.m. to noon at Carriage Hill MetroPark Hiking for Older Adults: July 15 - 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Hills & Dales MetroPark Downtown Dayton River Kayaking Trips: July 16 - 6 to 8:30 p.m. at offsite location Try Fly Fishing: July 18 - 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Eastwood MetroPark Mountain Bike Experience: July 23 - 6 to 8 p.m. at Huffman MetroPark Fly Fishing 1: Gear: July 24 - 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark Camping Package: July 27 - overnight at Twin Creek MetroPark Flatwater Float: July 30 - 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Eastwood MetroPark Fly Fishing 1: Casting: July 31 - 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark Youth & Family  Tike Hike: July 5 - 10 to 11 a.m. at Wesleyan MetroPark Ohio's Fish: July 6 - 2 to 4 p.m. at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark Nature's Defenses: July 6 - 6 to 8 p.m. at Germantown MetroPark Nature Games: July 13 - 10 a.m. to noon at Cox Arboretum MetroPark Microscopic Pond Investigation: July 13 - 2 to 4 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark Youth Scientist Exploration - iNaturalist: July 20 - 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Taylorsville MetroPark Wetland Escape: July 20 - 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark Nocturnal Excursion: July 20 - 8:30 to 10 p.m. at Englewood MetroPark Youth Mountain Biking Skills Clinic: July 25 - 1 to 5 p.m. at Huffman MetroPark Waterway Check-Up: July 27 - 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark Tike Hike: July 30 - 10 to 11 a.m. at Sugarcreek MetroPark Adult Nature Exploration Native Tree ID: July 6 - 9 a.m. to noon at Cox Arboretum MetroPark Butterfly ID: July 6 - 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark Coyote Search: July 6 - 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark Family Caregiver Nature Walk: July 10 - 11 a.m. to noon at Cox Arboretum MetroPark Summer Gardens at Cox: July 10 - 6 to 7 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark Common Feeder Birds: July 13 - 9 to 11 a.m. at Germantown MetroPark Stream Fishes of Ohio: July 13 - 1 to 4 p.m. at Germantown MetroPark Nocturnal Wildlife Hike: July 13 - 9 to 10:30 p.m. at Germantown MetroPark Tour Aullwood: July 17 - 6 to 7 p.m. at Aullwood Garden MetroPark Visit the Past: Carriage Hill Farm: July 20 - 10 to 11 a.m. at Carriage Hill MetroPark Photography a la Mode: July 20 - 10 to 11:30 p.m. at Cox Arboretum MetroPark Moth Ecology and Research: July 26 - 9 to 10 p.m. at Germantown MetroPark Earth Friendly Living Pick Your Own: Flowers, Produce and Herbs: July 3 - 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark Pick Your Own: Flowers, Produce and Herbs: July 10 - 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark Compost Kitchen: July 11 - 6 to 8 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark Harvesting and Preserving: Quick Ways to Save Summer Flavor: July 12 - 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 2nd Street Market Native Plants and Shade Gardens: July 13 - 1o to 11:30 a.m. at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark Pick Your Own: Flowers, Produce and Herbs: July 17 - 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark Master Recycling Class: July 24 - 6 to 8 p.m. at offsite location Prairie Tour: July 27 - 10 to 11 a.m. at Possum Creek MetroPark For Everyone Paint-A-Park: July 7 - noon to 3 p.m. at 2nd Street Market Carriage Hill Steam Engine at the Market: July 21 - 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2nd Street Market

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.