Volunteer Positions & Upcoming Opportunities
The warmer months may have passed us by, but we still need your help in the MetroParks!
View the volunteer opportunities below to see how you can support your MetroParks this month through volunteer service. 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.
We need your help at these great holiday events!
Administration
Administrative volunteers play an essential role in helping us complete much needed projects and can be based at our main office, at a park location, and may even be virtual.
Aullwood History Research:
Are you interested in local history? Help document the historical significance of the Aull family and the Aullwood property to our region by conducting independent research and reviewing and organizing historical documents. Please complete our History Research Interest Form, and a staff person will contact you to discuss a research topic.
Project-Based Administrative Volunteers:
Detail-oriented individuals with computer skills needed! Support staff with a variety of short-term administrative projects. Common tasks may include data entry, document creation, graphic design, writing or editing, photo or video editing, or compiling internet research. On-site or virtual opportunities may arise. Submit your Computer Skills Assessment now to be added to our pool of Administrative volunteers. As future project requests arise, these volunteers will be invited to join administrative projects that match their skill set.
Park Maintenance
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.
Volunteer Anna Kahut looked for ways to give back and found opportunities that can fit into her busy schedule. She helps make the 2nd Street Market sparkle!
Market Custodial Support:
Calling all "neat freaks"! Our 2nd Street Market is looking for WEEKEND custodial support THIS WINTER! Not only will you get to flex your cleaning muscles, but you'll get to meet and interact with some amazing people from your community. The 2nd Street Market supports small, local entrepreneurs with a strong emphasis on food, agriculture, gardening, and home decor in an atmosphere that provides a comfortable and inviting gathering place for the diverse population of the greater Dayton area.
So if you're ready to have some fun and donate a couple of hours to support in keeping this wonderful community space sparkling clean for the public to connect and gather, click the blue VOLUNTEER button below to view the opportunities available and sign up to support!
Thank you, CJ students, for helping to keep our trails in good condition! Short-term and long-term volunteers are needed to support our trails. Join us!
Trail Maintenance:
HIGH NEED MoMBA Trail Maintenance
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. Click the blue VOLUNTEER button below to view the opportunities available and sign up to support!
Skilled Trades
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.
Volunteers during textile days work on projects and learn new skills. Susan Steinke shows Zarriah Blumenstock how easy it is to weave a beautiful winter scarf.
Textile and Fiber Arts:
Textile workdays are never boring! Volunteers have an opportunity to share their time and talents, and learn some new skills, while creating items to be used by MetroParks volunteers and staff. We are currently looking for volunteers with skills in sewing, crocheting, knitting, and weaving. Join us at Carriage Hill MetroPark for a behind the scenes weekday or weekend opportunity! Learn more and sign up by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
Limited skills but big interest? Look for opportunities to support our textile programs here.
Volunteer woodworkers are busy creating fun structures you can find throughout this season out in the park. Visit Cox Arboretum and see how many you can find.
Woodworking at Cox Arboretum:
Do you have skills in woodworking and carpentry that you would like to share? Attend this annual equipment training and then join our Woodworking at Cox Arboretum volunteer team! Once trained and checked off on the safe operation of the woodworking equipment, alongside staff, volunteers use their skills and expertise to plan, strategize, and craft a variety of woodworking projects at Cox Arboretum MetroPark! Click the green button to learn more and RSVP for this in-person training.
Special Events
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.
Aullwood Winter Luminary Walk:
Join us for this year's Aullwood Winter Luminary Walk Saturday, December 2nd from 5-7pm! This treasured holiday tradition will be back to help our community kick off the holiday season and volunteers will be needed to help prepare the gardens for the event, decorate the house, set up the luminaries, serve refreshments, and more. Volunteer opportunities are available for youth ages 14 and up, adult volunteers, and groups before, during, and after the event. View all the available volunteer opportunities and sign up by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
Christmas on the Farm:
The start of the winter season is here and Carriage Hill ushers in a full day of holiday celebration! Join us Saturday, December 9, for Christmas on the Farm as we share cherished historic Christmas traditions with the public. Volunteer opportunities are available for youth ages 16 and up, adult volunteers, and seasoned historic interpreters before, during, and after the event. Christmas is a time for family and traditions to come together to form memories. View all the available volunteer opportunities and sign up by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
High Priority Needs:
Christmas on the Farm: Set Up Team
Christmas on the Farm: Event Ambassador
Christmas on the Farm: Program Support
A Holiday Evening on the Farm:
Join us for a magical holiday evening on the historic farm during this year's A Holiday Evening at Carriage Hill, Saturday, December 9th! Volunteers are needed to support this magical evening holiday experience supporting a variety of opportunities available for youth ages 16 and up, adult volunteers, and seasoned historic interpreters. View all of the Holiday Evening at Carriage Hill available by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
High Priority Needs:
A Holiday Evening at Carriage Hill: Program Support
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 (PARK).
Join us at an upcoming Volunteer Open House!
Your Volunteer Services Team
Yvonne Dunphe - Outdoor Connections Programming #(937) 277-4147
Allie Zimmerman - Parks & Conservation #(937) 274-3176
Janelle Leonard - Administration & Animal Care #(937) 277-5445
Amanda Wheatley - Ambassador & Special Events #(937) 277-4109
Jenny Hymans - Human Resources Manager of Volunteer Services #(937) 567-1413
Return to the Volunteer Blog here.
