Teaching adults about garden plants is most effective when using hands-on, self-paced, and practical methods. Volunteers support the staff by enhancing these programs and discovery hikes, providing extra attention to participants' curiosity and individual learning speeds. Participants have varying levels of knowledge and experience, and volunteers help create a more personalized learning experience for everyone. Volunteers are the heart of our community, playing a vital role in engaging in gardening activities that transform our gardens into a lively classroom. These are walk-and-talk programs with the University of Dayton's Lifelong Learning participants. Topics will include native wildflowers and early blooming flowers, trees, and shrubs, highlighted examples in the hike.
If you love plants and gardening and want to inspire others with this passion, we invite you to join us! Program Support volunteers do not need to be experts in the activities, but for this opportunity, should have some gardening knowledge, be enthusiastic about finding discoveries in the garden, and be able to hike the garden areas.
Impact
Engaging volunteers within our gardening programs not only enriches the learning experience but also fosters a sense of community and collaboration.
Tasks
- Assist staff with any preparation needed to welcome the group.
- Welcome and greet participants to the program.
- Distribute materials as needed
- Assist with simple but essential tasks to support the staff lead and participants in the plant hike.
- Engage the participants in observing the plants of interest or in bloom.
- Share information of interest, and encourage volunteerism.
- May assist with documenting the event through photos.
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 Sugarcreek 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.
- 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 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 volunteer apparel.
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 mu
ltiple opportunities is a great way to stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider the Garden Guide opportunities, and begin with the virtual training:
