Opportunities From: Five Rivers MetroParks

Do you have some sewing, knitting, crocheting, weaving, or other textile skills you are willing to share? Join us at MetroParks as we breathe new life into fiber arts and textile skills! We're seeking enthusiastic volunteers to help us create, maintain, and repair essential items at our historic farm and other MetroParks facilities. This is your chance to put your expertise to good use while making a positive impact in the community. If you have experience in any textile craft, we invite you to share your skills with us. Don’t worry if you're still learning—there will be plenty of opportunities to grow your abilities alongside fellow enthusiasts during our workdays.

Each week will bring new and exciting projects as we build a vibrant community of textile volunteers. We’ll conduct a skills assessment at the start of each project to tailor opportunities to everyone’s strengths and interests. Together, we can preserve and celebrate these invaluable arts! Join us in making a difference, and let’s create something beautiful together!

Impact

Volunteers will support efforts on the historic farm by making the textile materials needed for the interpretive team of staff and volunteers to accurately represent what living on an 1880s farm might have been like.

Tasks 

Under the supervision of the assigned Staff Lead, volunteers will

Projects will be staff-driven needs for historic clothing, items for the historic house, and support of other programming needs, and will start with a simple project to assess the skill level of the interested volunteers.Support and assist staff with cutting out the pattern, simple sewing by hand and machine, and correct care of the finished project.
Knit and/or crochet items needed for winter wear. Items may include scarves, hats, socks, and wristers. Weaving will focus on scarves for use by the historic interpreters, towels for use in the kitchen of the Arnold home, and napkins for special programs.Volunteers will be working in small numbers and rotating the tasks/steps to make the project build proficiency in each of the steps of the project. Those volunteers who have done the modern knitting machine training can make socks, do simple projects, and demonstrate simple kids' bracelets for visitors. Visitors are welcomed into the textile room and may observe as volunteers are mending, making repairs, creating new clothing items, adding new buttons for historic clothing, and practicing their skills at Carriage Hill.Volunteers can support the staff lead with demonstrations while learning about the newer tools. Support new volunteers in gaining skills.  Eligibility

This opportunity is open to The following volunteers: Short-term and Long-Term who are 16 years or older, and who have completed the textile qualification. Learn more about our types of service here. 

Youth volunteers ages 14-17 are not required to complete a background check. If you are a new youth volunteer contact volunteer.services@metroparks.org to have your background check waived. Additional Notes Parking & Meeting Instructions: Please park and walk to the visitor center. Knock on the entrance door if you are arriving a little late and the staff will greet you! Click here for a map of Carriage Hill MetroPark.  Volunteers should arrive 15 minutes before the beginning of the opportunity. Staff leads will orient volunteers to the day's agenda and other important information.Environment & Physical Demands: This program takes place indoors. Volunteers may participate in some bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects to 10 lbs or more. There will be sharp objects, knitting machines, looms, sewing machines, and other items that require you to be careful and work safely in a small space. Dress: Volunteers do not need to wear period apparel. Volunteers should dress for the weather, and wear their MetroParks name badge and t-shirt.

Look for Additional Details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing!  See the Skilled Trades Volunteer Position for more information on skilled trade opportunities with us.  

Visit the Historic Interpreter page in our Training Library to see what training is required to become part of the Historic Interpreter volunteers. 

Thank you for volunteering! 

   

Historic Blacksmiths are Historic Interpreter volunteers who train and receive qualification through Five Rivers MetroParks' as an historic blacksmith. Volunteers acting as program assistants are current Historic Blacksmiths who have volunteered for at least 5 years in the Blacksmith shop, and have assisted in the training and mentoring of new volunteers.  The classes are to build knowledge, start some skills, and encourage volunteerism at the Historic Farm.   

Volunteers for this opportunity will be supporting the staff during a public program.  It DOES NOT REQUIRE PERIOD APPAREL! 

Impact

The individuals who volunteer their time and talents in the Blacksmith Shop help make it possible for others to experience these 19th Century skills that are still relevant today, create interest in these skills, enhance a more personalized experience in a program, and allow us to support the historic farm. Volunteers allow the interpretive teams to help visitors make a stronger connection to the history of Carriage Hill and experience life on an 1880s working farm.   

Tasks Assist with set up and prep for the classGreet and welcome participants to class and get them signed in. Volunteers will ​​support the instructor and students during the information and practical portion of the class. Support and assist staff or participants with hammering, operating blower, and techniques used in blacksmithing .Support and assist participants to follow safety precautions, and alert staff with students needed additional assistance.Assist staff lead in creating a better learning environment for this interactive opportunity, and give participants the encouragement needed to do a new skill. Assist with clean-up of the program. Eligibility

This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Long-term volunteers who have qualified as a historic blacksmith for a minimum of 5 years. Learn more about our types of service here. 

Learn more about becoming a Historic Blacksmith from our virtual training page: Skilled Trade - Historic Blacksmith Additional Notes

Parking & Meeting Instructions: Please park in the historic farm parking lot and walk to the Blacksmith Shop.  Click here for a map of Carriage Hill MetroPark.  Volunteers should arrive a little early to allow for parking and getting to class location.  Staff leads will orient volunteers to the day's agenda and other important information. 

Environment & Physical Demands: This program takes place outdoors in the Blacksmith Shop. Volunteers may participate in some bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects to 20 lbs or more. Blacksmith volunteers will be hammering hot metal for periods of time to demonstrate various techniques.  There will be smoke, fire, hot objects, and tools that require you to be careful and work safely in a small space.

Dress: Volunteers do not need to wear period apparel. Volunteers should dress for the weather, and wear their MetroParks name badge.

Look for Additional Details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing!  See the Skilled Trades and Programming Volunteer Position for more information on programming and skilled trades opportunities with us.  

Visit the Historic Interpreter page in our Training Library to see what training is required to become part of the Historic Interpreter volunteers. 

Thank you for volunteering! 

Do you have skills in carpentry, or would like to expand on your carpentry skills? Join our Woodworking at Cox Arboretum volunteer team! Once trained and checked off, volunteers use their skills and expertise to plan, strategize, and craft a variety of woodworking projects! Click here to review the Woodworking at Cox Arboretum MetroPark Volunteer Training.

Impact

Our Skilled Trades volunteers help drive our mission forward by assisting with maintenance projects in fabrication, repair, and interpretation. Through Woodworking, volunteers share their skills and talents to help Five Rivers MetroParks get important build projects accomplished throughout our parks.

Tasks

Under the supervision of the assigned staff, support and assist with the following:

review woodworking project specifications. utilizing woodworking tools and equipment, carry out the build or repair of the assigned project as a team. Eligibility This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Trained, Long-Term, Adult volunteers. Learn more about our types of service here.Additional Notes Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Cox Arboretum MetroPark. Volunteers should park in the main parking lot (6733 Springboro Pike, Dayton, OH 45449) and meet staff at the maintenance building near the south end of the park, just beyond the green wooden gate.Environment & Physical Demands: This project takes place indoors and outdoors - Please be aware of outdoor exposure risks (i.e., sun, poison ivy, insects, etc.). Volunteers should be aware of seasonal and position-specific allergies (i.e., dust, grass, pollen, bees, etc.), and can expect to participate in routine standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, dragging, and lifting objects of 15lbs, often in a loud environment.Cancelation: If you need to cancel a shift last minute or are running late, please contact Uriah Langmeyer at Uriah.Langmeyer@metroparks.org.Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, and have their favorite work gloves, water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray. Avoid wearing baggy or loose clothing as well as long jewelry because it can easily snag in machinery and other sharp tools. Training: New Woodworking at Cox Arboretum MetroPark volunteers can be onboarded any time during the year. To learn more about how to become a Woodworker at Cox Arboretum MetroPark, click here to review the Woodworking at Cox Arboretum MetroPark Volunteer Training. Look for Additional Details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing! See the Skilled Trades Volunteer Position Description for more detailed information.     

Historic Blacksmith volunteers are needed during Traditional Butchering to provide interpretation and demonstrations for the Blacksmith shop on the Daniel A Arnold Historic Farm.

Impact

Volunteers represent what living in the 1880s might have been like, and help visitors make a stronger connection to the history of Carriage Hill and experience life on an 1880s working farm. 

Tasks Greet and welcome participants. Interpret and provide historic information specific to the Blacksmith Shop on the Daniel A Arnold Historic Farm. Demonstrate simple techniques and make a simple project. Work with staff lead, historic interpreters, and program assistants to provide an engaging event for the public participants. Help train new volunteers as needed. Eligibility

 This is an opportunity for Long-Term Volunteers who have qualified as Historic Interpreters, as well as Historic Blacksmiths. Learn more about our types of service here. 

Additional Notes Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Carriage Hill MetroPark.  Volunteers are scheduled to arrive 30 minutes before the beginning of the opportunity. Staff leads will orient volunteers to the day's activities, including planned demonstrations and a historical clothing check.  Volunteers will also have time for a review of what can be demonstrated and other important information.Environment & Physical Demands: This program takes place outdoors. Volunteers may participate in some bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects to 10 lbs or more.   Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather. Period apparel is required.  If not yet fitted, the staff lead or volunteer coordinator will contact you to schedule a fitting. 

Volunteers must be qualified as Historic Blacksmiths to serve in this opportunity. To learn more, visit our Historic Blacksmith Volunteer Training page here.

Look for Additional Details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing!  See the Skilled Trades Volunteer Position for more information on skilled trades opportunities with us.  

Thank you for volunteering! 

Volunteers will share their textile skills and support staff in leading a fun program inspired by historical quilt block patterns. By the end of the series, participants will create a small quilt made up of all the blocks they have completed. In each session, volunteers will help students construct a 12-inch block using templates and a few modern techniques. To assist with these sessions, volunteers should have a textile qualification and be capable of guiding participants in using sewing machines, laying out patterns, and developing basic sewing skills.

Volunteers for this opportunity will be supporting the staff during a public program, and it DOES NOT REQUIRE PERIOD APPAREL! 

Impact

The individuals who volunteer their time and talents in the textile area help make it possible for others to experience these 19th-century skills that are still relevant today, create interest in these skills, enhance a more personalized experience in a program, and allow us to create beautiful items that have a function at the farm. Volunteers allow the interpretive teams to help visitors make a stronger connection to the history of Carriage Hill and experience life on an 1880s working farm.   

Tasks Assist with set up and prep for the classGreet and welcome participants to class and get them signed in. Volunteers will ​​support the instructor and students new to sewing and sewing machines. Support and assist staff or participants with cutting out the pattern, simple sewing by hand and machine, and threading the needle.Support and assist participants with sewing projects, changing sewing and bobbin thread, and learning parts of our sewing machines.Support and assist participants in putting quilt blocks and pattern together, Assist the staff lead in creating a better learning environment for this interactive opportunity, and give participants the encouragement needed to do a new skill. Volunteers will be paired with a student, ages 10-17, and will assist with instructions and the use of the sewing machine. Assist with the clean-up of the program. Eligibility

This opportunity is open to the following volunteers: Short-term and Long-term. Learn more about our types of service here. 

Volunteers must have completed the Textile qualification and the  Skills Assessment - Sewing .  You can review, so you are prepared to ask questions, clarify any part of the assessment, and help demonstrate skills. Additional Notes Parking & Meeting Instructions:  Click here for a map of Carriage Hill MetroPark.  Volunteers will arrive 1/2 hour prior to the start of the program.  Parking is available in the Visitor Center lot, and volunteers should enter the Visitor Center and go to the Textile space to the left once they enter the building.  Staff leads will orient volunteers to the day's agenda and other important information. Environment & Physical Demands: This program takes place indoors. Volunteers may participate in some bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects to 10 lbs or more. There will be sharp objects, knitting machines, looms, sewing machines, and other items that require you to be careful and work safely in a small space. Programming background information related to sewing: Life in the 1800s on the Farm - Sewing Textile: Carriage Hill Historic Farm - Willcox & Gibbs Hand Crank Sewing Machine Let’s Sew: Darning and Weaving Dress: Volunteers do not need to wear period apparel. Volunteers should dress for the weather and wear their MetroParks name badge and t-shirt.

Look for Additional Details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing!  See the Skilled Trades and Programming Volunteer Positions for more information on volunteer opportunities with us.  

Visit the Historic Interpreter page in our Training Library to see what training is required to become part of the Historic Interpreter volunteers. 

Thank you for volunteering! 

 

Historic Woodworker volunteers are needed during Maple Sugaring to provide interpretation and demonstrations for the Wood Shop on the Daniel A Arnold Historic Farm.

Impact

Volunteers represent what living in the 1880s might have been like, and help visitors make a stronger connection to the history of Carriage Hill and experience life on an 1880s working farm. 

Tasks Greet and welcome participants. Interpret and provide historical information specific to the Wood Shop on the Daniel A Arnold Historic Farm. Demonstrate simple techniques of tool use. Work with staff lead, historic interpreters, and program assistants to provide an engaging event for the public participants. Help train new volunteers as needed. Eligibility

This is an opportunity for the following volunteers: Long-Term Volunteers who have qualified as Historic Interpreters, as well as, Historic Woodworker. Learn more about our types of service here.

Historic Interpreter Qualification: Visit the Historic Interpreter page in our Training Library to see what training is required to become part of the Historic Interpreter volunteers.   This is the starting step needed to become a Historic Woodworker.Additional information to qualify as a Historic Woodworker can be found by visiting our Historic Woodworker Volunteer Training page here.
Additional Notes Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Carriage Hill MetroPark.  Volunteers are scheduled to arrive 30 minutes before the beginning of the event. Staff leads will orient volunteers to the day's activities including planned demonstrations and to do a historical clothing check.  Volunteers will also have time for a review of what can be demonstrated and other important information.Environment & Physical Demands: This program takes place outdoors. Volunteers may participate in some bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects to 10 lbs or more.   Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather. Period apparel is required.  If not yet fitted, the staff lead or volunteer coordinator will contact you to schedule a fitting.

Look for Additional Details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing!  See the Skilled Trades Volunteer Position for more information on skilled trade opportunities with us.  

Historic Blacksmith volunteers are needed during Maple Sugaring on the Farm to provide interpretation and demonstrations for the Blacksmith shop on the Daniel A Arnold Historic Farm.

Impact

Volunteers represent what living in the 1880s might have been like, and help visitors make a stronger connection to the history of Carriage Hill and experience life on an 1880s working farm. 

Tasks Greet and welcome participants. Interpret and provide historic information specific to the Blacksmith Shop on the Daniel A Arnold Historic Farm. Demonstrate simple techniques and make a simple project. Work with staff lead, historic interpreters, and program assistants to provide an engaging event for the public participants. Help train new volunteers as needed. Eligibility 

This is an opportunity for the following volunteers: Long-Term Volunteers who have qualified as Historic Interpreters, as well as Historic Blacksmiths. Learn more about our types of service here.

Historic Interpreter Qualification: Visit the Historic Interpreter page in our Training Library to see what training is required to become part of the Historic Interpreter volunteers.   This is the starting step needed to become a Historic Blacksmith.Additional information to qualify as a Historic Blacksmith can be found by visiting our Historic Blacksmith Volunteer Training page here.
Additional Notes Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Carriage Hill MetroPark.  Volunteers are scheduled to arrive 30 minutes before the start of the opportunity. Staff leads will orient volunteers to the day's activities, including planned demonstrations and a historical clothing check.  Volunteers will also have time for a review of what can be demonstrated and other important information.Environment & Physical Demands: This program takes place outdoors. Volunteers may participate in some bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects to 10 lbs or more.   Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather. Period apparel is required.  If not yet fitted, the staff lead or volunteer coordinator will contact you to schedule a fitting. 

Look for Additional Details about this opportunity at the bottom of this listing!  See the Skilled Trades Volunteer Position for more information on skilled trade opportunities with us.