School field trips, family fishing and community group fishing days are in our lineup to get these kids and families excited about getting out and trying a fun activity! Program support volunteers assist in teaching valuable fishing skills to families like fish handling, knot tying and rigging, and casting. Volunteers show kids and parents what kind of fishing opportunities exist in their MetroParks and the importance of being a steward to our public lands and waters. Supporting these beginning fishing programs allows for individualized attention and encouragement. Not everyone needs to be an expert to be a program support for this opportunity. There are multiple tasks, and many hands make for a more successful experience or larger groups.
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 basic fishing skills. Volunteer support in introductory fishing programs gives families a chance to discover a fun pastime activity, allowing them to feel more confident to get out and enjoy fishing throughout the season.
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.
Tasks
- Assist with the setup of equipment and stations .
- Items include: Pop-up tent, spin-cast rod rack, bait cups, gear area (equipment and additional supplies), casting area, and registration/check-in station. Other stations include: Habitat and Handling, Knots and Rigging, Casting, and Fishing on the Farm Pond.
- Set up means lifting totes to 15 lbs. and carrying items over potentially uneven terrain for a short distance.
- Items include: Pop-up tent, spin-cast rod rack, bait cups, gear area (equipment and additional supplies), casting area, and registration/check-in station. Other stations include: Habitat and Handling, Knots and Rigging, Casting, and Fishing on the Farm Pond.
- Greet and welcome participants.
- Once participants have all checked in, pack all unnecessary things into the trailer and lock up.
- Assist the staff lead during the program to create a better learning environment for this fun fishing skill.
- Assist staff in teaching the basics of fishing at one of the stations.
- Help distribute program materials and supplies as needed.
- Assist participants in following the instructor's direction by walking around and observing.
- Assist staff in teaching simple knots, casting, and assisting school kids in the basics of catch-and-release fishing.
- Assist with participants taking fish off and releasing them back to the water, getting more bait, untangling the line, and tying new hooks onto the line.
- Assist with clean-up and equipment tear-down 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: Volunteers are scheduled an hour before the program to assist staff with set up, get oriented to the program, and review specific tasks. You will be meeting the staff lead at the farm shelter. Click here to view the map of Possum Creek.
- For an overview of the skills, please look at the Fishing Videos.
- Environment & Physical Demands: This is an outdoor activity, so be aware of seasonal items (allergies, bugs, heat, bright sun). Volunteers may participate in some bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects to 10 lbs or more. Be prepared to potentially get muddy while assisting students fishing on the banks for the farm pond. Pond is susceptible to the weather, causing muddy banks. Exposure to bird feathers and sharp hooks is possible. Supporting participants may require steady hands and nimble fingers.
- Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear closed-toed shoes, and wear their MetroParks name badge and apparel. Please bring a hat, sunscreen, bug spray, refillable water bottle if needed.
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:
