Passport to MetroParks aims to build community awareness of what our MetroParks offers and will highlight various MetroParks' events, programs, and parks. Throughout the event, guests can visit vendor booths hosting games and activities featuring upcoming festivals and various recreation, education, conservation, and volunteer programs Five Rivers MetroParks offers. Program Support Volunteer will share their enthusiasm for Five Rivers MetroParks with diverse audiences. Help enhance the visitor experience by greeting and welcoming park patrons, answering questions, and assisting staff at this activity station.
The Outdoor Recreation team has the climbing wall as a "try it" activity within the event to help get participants active and excited about upcoming recreation programs and events. Volunteers will be program support, add individualized attention, and allow participants to learn more about the various ways to get active.
This activity, supervised by expert staff and/or vendors and is supported by volunteers. It provides an opportunity for an entry-level climbing experience and a chance to work on climbing skills. Volunteers help make this a safe and engaging experience for all participants.
Impact
Program Support volunteers are critical in ensuring we can provide high-quality, engaging programming like "try it" activities to the public. Volunteers help build access, comfort, convenience, and safety into our programs for all interested in learning. They enable more individualized support for first-time learners and create a better skill-building environment. Volunteers help people make a stronger connection to nature by making it easy to experience the outdoors in fun activities.
Tasks
- Greet and welcome participants to the event and the Climbing Wall.
- Ensure all participants have signed a release waiver. Watch this video to learn more about our activity waivers.
- Review and ensure activity participants follow the posted safety guidelines.
- Assist staff lead in getting all interested participants to get fitted into a climbing harness, making sure to give them the correct size and they are properly worn and tightened. ***Please review this resource before arriving for your shift: How to Put on a Climbing Harness - Uncommon Path – An REI Co-op Publication.
- Assist with line management.
- Report any issues to the Event Staff or Recreation supervisor. Answer any questions to your ability, and direct participants to staff if unsure.
- Act as an Outdoor Recreation Department Ambassador, if the need arises for you to help with the Outdoor Recreation Booth .
- General knowledge of upcoming programs, assisting participants in signing waivers, and encouraging volunteerism to support outdoor recreation programming where appropriate.
- Help set up and tear down as needed.
- You are the face of MetroParks at this event...smile, be enthusiastic, and enjoy the event!
Eligibility: This opportunity is open to individual, 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.
Additional Notes
- Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Riverscape MetroPark. Volunteers should park at the Five Rivers MetroPark Main Office parking lot (409 East Monument Avenue, Dayton, OH 45402) or along E. Monument Ave. or S. Patterson Blvd. Look for the 'Volunteer Event' signage, then check in at the volunteer services booth located by the Riverscape Bike Hub (237 E. Monument Ave., Dayton, OH 45402). Volunteers arrive 30 minutes before the start of the event to allow for parking, checking in, going to their stations, and getting oriented to the activities. REMEMBER to have your parking pass on your dashboard or hanging on your mirror. If you do not have your volunteer parking hangtag, you can download the event permit here.
- Cancellation: If you need to cancel a shift at the last minute or are running late, please contact your Staff Lead at the provided number.
- Environment & Physical Demands: This program takes place outdoors at an event - Please be aware of outdoor exposure risks (i.e. sun, poison ivy, insects, etc.). Volunteers should be aware of seasonal allergies (i.e., grass, pollen, bees, etc.), and may participate in some bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects of 10lbs or more.
- Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear their MetroParks name badge and t-shirt, long pants, closed-toe shoes, bring water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray.
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, buil
d new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this/these opportunities:
