Join our programming team for a series of canning classes designed to teach participants how to preserve fruits and vegetables affordably and efficiently. The timeless technique of hot water bath canning was used in the 19th century for preserving jams, jellies, syrups, and pickled items. Each week, we will utilize both period recipes and their modern equivalents, offering a variety of recipes. Our program support volunteers are there to support both staff and participants, ensuring everyone learns the essential skills needed to safely create beautifully sealed jars of goodness to take home. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with others, learn a valuable skill, and enjoy delicious homemade preserves!
Program Support Volunteers are welcome and can participate in various entry-level opportunities to support our programs—typically, no expert knowledge is required. However, volunteers who support the cookery programs should have some culinary experience.
Impact
Volunteers enable us to accomplish so much more by lending a hand in simple activities, allowing demonstrators to take a break, or talking with the visitors about the activities while allowing the tasks to be completed.
Tasks
- Assist the staff lead with setup and teardown of the program or demonstration.
- Welcome and greet visitors to the program.
- Gather and distribute supplies and materials as needed.
- Assist with simple, but essential, culinary tasks.
- May assist with documenting the event through photos.
- Encourage volunteerism, and help direct to the website for information
- Visit MetroParks Programs and Events page* to learn more about the corresponding program date you'll be volunteering.:
- March 8- dill-infused carrot spears
- April 5 - carrot marmalade
- May 3 - pickled asparagus
- June 7 - strawberry lemonade concentrate (p 192 Ball canning)
- July 5 - pickled green beans (Ball canning) - HEAT advisory - Location change to Visitor Center
- August 2 - tomato ketchup
- September 6 - applesauce - Location change to Visitor Center
- October 4 - chutney or Piccadilly
- November 1 - apple pie filling
Eligibility
This opportunity is open to individual, long-term, and short-term volunteers, ages 18 and up.
- GET STARTED: This opportunity requires Volunteer Onboarding (Profile, Volunteer Handbook Signature, and for those 18 and up, an eligible background check). Simply click the blue RESPOND button to begin completing the required qualifications, or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer.
- Visit the Historic Interpreter page in our Training Library to see what training is required to become part of the Historic Interpreter volunteers.
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 program. Staff leads will orient volunteers to the day's agenda and other important information. During February, March, and November, the program is in the Visitor Center. For April through October, park and walk down the path to the historic farm. September 6 - Location change to Visitor Center
- 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 and other items that require you to be careful and work safely in a small space.
- Dress: No Period Apparel Required! Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear their MetroParks name badge, and a volunteer vest will be available upon arrival.
Learn more about Programming opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 or join us at a Volunteer Open House.
Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to 
stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider these opportunities:
