Catching a fish can be exciting and rewarding, a family activity many can enjoy. A fun skill-builder program in our fishing lineup uses program support volunteers to give more individualized attention to new learners! "Practice makes perfect" is the saying, and learning to cast well increases your chances of catching the fish. Our Outdoor Recreation team creates the learning environment to help individuals build skills to be successful in these activities. You do not need to be an expert to be a program support for this opportunity, but it is always a plus.
Impact
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 to test/hone casting skills. Volunteers help people make a stronger connection to nature by making it easy to experience the outdoors in fun activities.
Tasks
- Assist in setting up the registration area, gear area (equipment and supplies), and casting area.
- Set up means you'll be lifting totes to 15 lbs. and carrying items over potentially uneven terrain for a short distance.
- You may also help set up a pop-up tent, depending on the location.
- Assist in putting together the targets.
- Place land targets with good spacing in the practice area.
- Greet and welcome participants.
- Assist the staff lead during the program to create a better learning environment for this unique fishing skill.
- Participants simply rotate from one area to the next. The volunteer would help manage time spent at each location to help with the flow of people.
- Help distribute program materials and supplies as needed.
- Assist participants in following the instructor's direction by walking around and observing.
- Assist with participants casting and instructions.
- Assist with clean-up and equipment tear-down after the program.
- Tear gear down and store it in the Fishing Trailer after the program.
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.
Additional Notes
- Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Possum Creek MetroPark. Volunteers arrive an hour before the beginning of the program. Staff leads will orient volunteers to the agenda, tasks, and other important information.
- Environment & Physical Demands: This program takes place outdoors during the early evening. Volunteers may participate in some bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects to 10 lbs or more. "Try It" programs have a walk-in welcome registration, and the number of participants won't be known until the start of the program.
- Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear closed-toed shoes to hike in, and wear their MetroParks name badge and apparel.
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, b
uild new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider these opportunities:
