Join the horticulture education team at Five Rivers MetroParks and become a part of our exciting family programming that brings visitors of all ages closer to the wonders of nature! Throughout the year, we offer fantastic opportunities for connection through gardening and exploration of the great outdoors.
Volunteers assist in creating an enchanting storytime experience, where you'll dive into captivating tales followed by hands-on activities in the beautiful garden. Join us as we inspire children with amazing stories while soaking in the delightful sights and sounds of the Children's Garden. Let’s make lasting memories together in nature! Program Support volunteers do not need to be experts in the activities, but for this opportunity, should have good reading skills, be enthusiastic about finding discoveries in the garden, and enjoy working with children and families.
Impact
Program support volunteers help build access, comfort, convenience, and safety into our programs. Volunteers help people create a stronger connection to nature by making it easy to experience the outdoors in fun activities.
Tasks
- Welcome participants and assist with check-in.
- Help staff with program set-up & tear-down, including distributing program supplies.
- Assist the staff lead with the story, take a portion, or read the whole story.
- Assist with and participate with families in program activities.
- Provide excellent customer service to participants and visitors.
- Visit MetroParks Programs and Events page* to learn more about the corresponding program date you'll be volunteering.
- 5/6 - "Firsts & Lasts!" by Leda Schubert—a book that captures the bittersweet feeling of saying goodbye to one season's rituals (like the last snow day) while welcoming the new ones (like the first green sprouts). The book encourages observation of nature and family activities, making it a conversation starter about the cyclical, magical rhythm of the year. Our activity will follow and highlight the theme - SEASONS.
- 6/10 - "Dancing with Water" By Gwendolyn Wallace - the story is an intergenerational tale about community, hope, and environmentalism, exploring how development impacts water access and teaching that the strength of their people flows through the water. And a 2nd Book, "Time Runs Like a River" By Emma Carlisle - A story about the flow of a river to explore the concepts of time, change, and nature, encouraging readers to appreciate the small moments and cycles of the natural world, from a kingfisher's flash to pebbles turning to sand. We will finish with activities that highlight the theme - WATER.
- 7/8 - "The Dinosaur in the Garden" By Deb Pilutti - A story about a T-Rex who leaves clues for a curious girl to discover his story, connecting the distant past with the present through themes of geology, paleontology, and curiosity. Our activity will follow and highlight the theme - DINOSAURS.
- 8/12 - "Yucky Worms" By Vivian French a story TBD, have a craft, and explore the garden! And a 2nd Book, "I'm Trying to Love Garbage" By Bethany Barton We will finish with activities that highlight the theme - DECOMPOSERS.
Eligibility
This opportunity is open to individual Short-term and Long-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.
- This opportunity is available for OSUE Master Gardener service hours.
Additional Notes
- Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark. Volunteers are scheduled to arrive a half hour before the start of the program. Staff leads will orient volunteers to the day's agenda and other important information.
- Environment & Physical Demands: This program takes place indoors and outdoors. Volunteers may participate in some bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects to 10 lbs or more. Volunteers may be standing or walking for the majority of their shift. Please be aware of any outdoor allergies.
- Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, and wear their MetroParks name badge and t-shirt.
Learn more about the 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 this opportunity:
